Our Culture, Our Story: Why Heritage Month Matters to Filipinos

Every May, the Philippines celebrates National Heritage Month, a meaningful commemoration dedicated to honouring the country’s rich history, traditions, arts, culture, and craftsmanship.

Officially declared through Presidential Proclamation No. 439 in 2003, National Heritage Month encourages Filipinos to appreciate, preserve, and promote the cultural treasures that shape our identity as a nation.

But what exactly is “heritage”?

Heritage is more than historical landmarks or old traditions. It is the living expression of who we are as a people — the stories we grew up with, the values passed down by our elders, our languages, local artistry, traditional weaving techniques, embroidery, music, food, dances, celebrations, and even the clothing we wear. Heritage reflects the identity, creativity, and spirit of the Filipino people.

Heritage can generally be divided into two categories: tangible heritage and intangible heritage.

Tangible heritage refers to physical cultural treasures that can be seen and touched. In the Philippines, this includes historical churches like the Baroque Churches of the Philippines, ancestral houses, traditional textiles, centuries-old artifacts, and iconic landmarks such as the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras.

Meanwhile, intangible heritage refers to living traditions and cultural practices passed down through generations. These include oral traditions, craftsmanship, music, dance, rituals, festivals, culinary traditions, and indigenous knowledge systems.

The Philippines is home to several cultural practices recognized by UNESCO under its Intangible Cultural Heritage list, including the Hudhud Chants of the Ifugao, the Darangen Epic Chant of the Maranao People, and the Buklog, a traditional thanksgiving ritual system of the Subanen people.

The country is also rich in cultural traditions that continue to gain global recognition and appreciation for their extraordinary craftsmanship and heritage value. These include the delicate piña weaving tradition of Aklan, where fibers from pineapple leaves are handwoven into luxurious textiles used in the traditional Barong Tagalog and Filipiniana garments. Another unique example is Asin Tibuok from Bohol, an ancient artisanal salt-making tradition known for producing the rare “dinosaur egg salt” through a painstaking indigenous process passed down across generations.

These traditions are more than cultural products — they are living stories of Filipino creativity, resilience, and identity.

For many Filipinos living around the world, heritage also becomes a meaningful way to stay connected to home — the Philippines.

At TERNO by TCG, preserving Filipino heritage is at the heart of our purpose. Through our sustainable cultural fashion pieces and collaborations with Filipino artisans, we aim to celebrate traditional craftsmanship while giving it a place in today’s modern world.

Every handwoven fabric, embroidered detail, and carefully tailored piece carries generations of artistry, craftsmanship, and cultural pride. By supporting Filipino-made products and artisans, we help keep these traditions alive for future generations.

National Heritage Month reminds us that culture is not only something we inherit — it is something we actively protect, share, and continue to create.

This May, we invite you to celebrate with us by proudly wearing Filipino craftsmanship and supporting the stories behind every piece.

Discover our latest artisan-made collections and celebrate Filipino heritage with purpose.