UP Unveils Palestinian Heritage Month: A Beacon of Culture and Resilience

Palestinian Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary Mounir Anastas

UP Unveils Palestinian Heritage Month: A Beacon of Culture and Resilience

By Bing Jabadan – TheNATIONWEEK.com | November 6, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – The University of the Philippines (UP), in a powerful collaboration with the Embassy of the State of Palestine in Manila, has launched its Palestinian Heritage Month festivities, a poignant affirmation of culture against adversity.

Kicking off on October 5th at the UP College of Fine Arts (CFA), the month-long commemoration, aptly themed “Living Heritage, Enduring Steadfastness,” transcends mere celebration, offering a profound exploration of Palestinian identity, memory, and dignity.

The inaugural event, a striking visual heritage and art exhibition at the UP Fine Arts Gallery, immediately immersed attendees in the rich tapestry of Palestinian life. Photographs, intricate embroidery, and historical artifacts offered a tangible connection to a homeland resolute in the face of occupation.

UP President Angelo Jimenez, alongside Palestinian Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary Mounir Anastas, Deputy Ambassador and First Secretary Ziad Bedaiwi, CFA Dean Abdulmari “Toym” Imao Jr., and Fine Arts Gallery Curator Lisa Ito-Tapang, presided over the exhibition’s opening.

Ambassador Anastas then guided visitors through the displays, imbuing each piece with personal anecdotes and historical significance. “Each piece of embroidery, each artifact, each photograph speaks of a homeland that occupation cannot erase,” he explained, emphasizing the living testament each item represents.

President Jimenez, in his welcome remarks, powerfully articulated the event’s core message. He underscored that Palestinian heritage is “not simply something preserved from the past but something living, an expression of identity, memory, creativity, and human dignity that continues to be carried across generations.”

He further asserted UP’s role as a vital platform: “Our campuses must be spaces where cultures and histories can be studied with rigor, encountered with openness, and discussed with empathy.” His sentiments were echoed by a powerful recitation of Palestinian poet Marwan Makhoul’s words: “In order for me to write poetry that isn’t political, I must listen to the birds, and in order to hear the birds, the warplanes must be silent.”

Dean Imao Jr. of the CFA, a key driver behind UP’s artistic initiatives, highlighted the profound connection between cultures. “Through art,” he stated, “we want to send a message on how connected our faiths are, how connected our lands are,” expressing gratitude to the Embassy for making UP the “home of this exhibition.”

Ambassador Anastas further emphasized the profound resilience embedded within Palestinian culture. “When you experience Palestinian culture, you are not making nostalgia; you are bearing witness to resilience.” This powerful statement resonated as he engaged the audience with updates and personal reflections throughout the guided tour. A particularly striking exhibit, an embroidery of the “Tree of Life,” captivated observers with its rare depiction of diverse living creatures, including a lion and gazelles, symbolizing the enduring vibrancy of Palestinian existence.

Beyond the initial exhibition, the month-long program promises a rich array of cultural immersion. UP Diliman units, including the College of Music, College of Home Economics, and the Asian Center, are set to host musical performances, interactive culinary demonstrations featuring local Palestinian chefs, and an illuminating academic lecture.

This Palestinian Heritage Month at UP stands as a testament to the enduring power of culture in the face of adversity, fostering understanding, empathy, and a profound appreciation for the steadfast spirit of the Palestinian people.

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