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On October 23, 1933 Executive Order No. 451 was issued creating the Philippine Historical Research and Markers Committee (PHRMC). Its chairman was American journalist and history advocate Walter Robb. Members included Fr. Miguel Selga S.J.; Dean Conrado Benitez; Prof. Jaime de Veyra; Prof. Eulogio Rodriguez; Prof. Henry Otley Beyer; and Dean Edward R. Hyde. Forerunners and other parallel entities The Philippine Historical Committee The PHRMC was superseded by the Philippine Historical Committee (PHC) in 1937. Its functions were assumed by the Japanese-sponsored Commission on Education, Health and Public Welfare during World War II. The PHC was restored in January 1947. The Jose Rizal National Centennial Commission To lead the national celebration of the 100th birth anniversary of Jose Rizal the Jose Rizal National Centennial Commission (JRNCC) was constituted in 1955. It spearheaded the fund raising campaign for the building of the National Library, part of an envisioned three-structure “National Cultural Shrine” that would be dedicated to Jose Rizal. The Rizal Presidential Committee The JRNCC was converted into the short-lived Rizal Presidential Committee in 1962. The National Heroes Commission replaced the Rizal Presidential Committee in 1962, and was directly supervised by the Secretary of Education. Its primary function was to publish books about heroes and eminent Filipinos. The National Historical Commission Republic Act No. 4368 created the National Historical Commission (NHC) in 1965 and abolished both the Philippine Historical Committee and the National Heroes Commission, with their functions, personnel, documents, equipment, materials and funds passed on to the newly-created National Historical Commission . Creation of the National Historical Institute The National Historical Institute (NHI) was created by Presidential Decree No. 1 in 1971 under the Department of Education and Culture, which also abolished several memorial and historical commissions. The Philippine Heraldry Committee created in 1940, the National Shrines Commission, and the Archives Division of the Bureau of Records Management were likewise abolished. Their functions and funding were assumed by the NHI. The latter, however, was never integrated with the NHI. By virtue of E.O. 80 issued in 1999, the NHI and other cultural agencies were attached with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
Dr. Encarnacion P. Alzona was appointed Chairman of the National Historical Commission in 1965. Dr. Alzona was the first Filipino to obtain her Ph. D in history abroad. She wrote numerous articles and translated several works of Dr. Jose Rizal into English. She was appointed as historian and head of the translation division of the Jose Rizal National Centennial Commission from 1957 to 1962. She took charge of the translation of several Spanish documents into English.
Carmen Guerrero Nakpil was the second Chairman of the National Historical Commission, direct precursor of the National Historical Institute. Her foremost legacy was KASAYSAYAN, the Floating Museum of Philippine History. It was complemented by lectures on Great Filipinos from noted historians. Other legacies: * Transfer of around 11,000,000 Spanish documents to the National Library building in Ermita, Manila.
Professor Esteban de Ocampo was appointed Chairman and Executive Director of the National Historical Commission in 1971. He continued to serve as Chair until the abolition of the NHC and later served as Chairman and Executive Director of the National Historical Institute with its creation in 1972. He retired in 1981. He embarked on other phase of research such as Muslim studies, including the commemoration of the 600th anniversary of Islam in the Philippines in 1980. Others: * Restoration of archival documents starting with 18th century documents (1971)
Dr. Serafin D. Quiason was named Acting Chairman of the NHI in 1981 in concurrent capacity as Director of the National Library. He became Chairman in 1986, serving until 1996. Others: * Strengthening of historical education programs with the popular History Quiz or Paligsahan sa Kasaysaysan contest (After Dr. Quiason’s retirement in 1996, Deputy Executive Director Emelita V. Almosara acted as Officer-in-Charge until Dr. Samuel K. Tan’s appointment.)
His term began on 24 September 1997 and ended on 30 June 1999. He revived the local and oral history program held in regional seminar-workshops nationwide. Others: * Involvement with the National Centennial Commission (NCC) as consultant in the centennial celebration of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence
Dr. Pablo S. Trillana served as NHI Chairman and Executive Director from 1 July 1999 to 30 November 2001. * Transformation of the Museum of Philippine History into the Museum of Philippine Political History
Professor Ambeth R. Ocampo and Architect Danilo C. Manalang were appointed as Chairman and Executive Director, respectively, in April 2002. Chairman Ocampo called for a return to the basic mandate of the NHI. He stressed the need for innovative approaches in research and dissemination of historical information. With the assistance of Executive Director Manalang, Chairman Ocampo launched a physical improvement of the NHI building.
Executive Director Ludovico D. Badoy succeeded Director Manalang on 23 December 2002. With his able support, Chairman Ocampo continued the upgrading of the NHI building with the construction of the elevator. * Increase in the NHI budget |
Its Beginnings
Chairman Encarnacion P. Alzona 
Chairman Carmen Guerrero Nakpil 
Chairman Esteban A. de Ocampo
Chairman Serafin D. Quiason
Chairman Samuel K. Tan
Chairman Pablo S. Trillana III
Chairman Ambeth R. Ocampo and Executive Director Danilo C. Manalang
Chairman Ambeth R. Ocampo and Executive Director Ludovico D. Badoy| < Prev | Next > |
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