From Co‑Creation to Circulation: Pamana and the Mobility of Philippine Heritage Beyond the Museum

Hermine Xhauflair1*, Eunice Averion2, Robert Morgan3, Deone Dasallas4, Mario Llorente Babol5, Be Ey Austria5, Anton Montalban5, Jo Varias5, Mark Ramirez5, Paul Simon Quijano5, Angelito Lopez6, Arturo Tablan III6, Gabrielle Gascon6, Erin Hingco‑Evans7, Douglas Mello8, Almea Abad6, Marvin Dorosan6, Patrick Castro6, Jezzel Wee6, Robert Rownd6, Rara Aguja6, Arcadio Pagulayan6, Francis Claravall6, Jesse Rasco6, and Nicolas Messieux8

Pamana: Voices of Philippine Heritage is a public outreach project exploring how archaeology, pre‑colonial heritage, and Filipino histories of movement can be communicated beyond conventional museum settings. At its core, the project developed the exhibition Trajectories and Movements of Filipino People, co‑created with migrants of Philippine origin, whose voices, experiences, and perspectives helped shape its narratives and forms of mediation. The exhibition brought together themes of human migration, Philippine archaeology, the significance of sites such as Tabon Cave, and broader reflections on identity, mobility, and heritage. The project unfolded in several stages: the collaborative conception and curation of the exhibition, the involvement and training of student volunteers, its presentation in educational contexts, and its later adaptation into a portable “exhibition‑in‑suitcases” format. This mobile version made it possible to bring the exhibition to schools in southern Palawan, reaching audiences with limited access to museums and cultural institutions. This presentation reflects on the challenges and possibilities of translating archaeological and heritage knowledge into accessible, dialogic, and transportable forms. It argues that co‑creation, travelling exhibitions, and school‑based mediation can foster meaningful engagement with prehistory and heritage across diverse geographic and socio‑economic contexts. In doing so, Pamana shows how public archaeology can connect migrant communities, local audiences, and educational spaces, while opening new pathways for science communication.