Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman made a brief but meaningful visit on June 24, to the exhibit “Zamboanga Encounters: Where Land and Sea Meet” at the National Museum of the Philippines – Fort Pilar in Zamboanga City. The visit forms part of Isabela City’s preparatory efforts for the establishment of its own local museum, which will be curated by cultural researcher Marian Pastor Roces, with support from historian and exhibit curator Dr. Felice Noelle Rodriguez.
Mayor Turabin-Hataman was personally guided through the exhibit by Dr. Rodriguez, a member of the Philippine Map Collectors Society, who shared insights into the curatorial direction and historical themes featured in the exhibit. Running from February 28, 2025 to February 28, 2026, the exhibition explores the deep-rooted cultural and historical connections between land and sea in Zamboanga and the broader Sulu Archipelago—an intersection that has shaped trade, movement, and identity in the region.
Accompanying the mayor were City Tourism Officer Claudio Ramos II, IP Affairs Focal and CSO Desk Officer Norhaiya Macusang, and City Information Officer Mendry-Ann Lim. They were joined by Dr. Kate Lacson of Ateneo de Manila University and museum guide Jayson Sayson, who provided additional context and narratives surrounding the artifacts and displays.
The visit highlights not only Isabela City’s commitment to cultural preservation but also its intent to draw from shared regional experiences in shaping its own historical center. Both Zamboanga City and Isabela City have long shared a rich and intertwined history, making them strategic centers for politics, commerce, and cultural exchange in Western Mindanao.
This initiative underscores the city’s broader vision to create a community-rooted, historically conscious museum that reflects the diverse stories, struggles, and strengths of Isabeleños—bringing heritage closer to home for future generations. (Contributed Report)
