In the recent years, there has been, and still is, a clamor for the protection and preservation of the country’s built heritage, physical manifestations of our culture from Spanish churches to art deco buildings and spaces that bear historical significance. We take pride of our UNESCO World Heritage Sites, clamored for the preservation of the El Hogar, rejoiced upon transformation of Escolta into a culture and arts hub, shared our insights about Rizal Park and its eye sore of a “photobomber” Torre de Manila. But have we talked about the existence of intangible heritage? Are we aware of the importance, for example, of the Hudhud chants of the Ifugao life, or heard the story of the Daragen of the Maranao? Intangible cultural heritage (ICH) is half of the heritage story. Apart from built heritage, we also uphold traditions, belief systems, knowledge, skills, and living expressions that are passed down from generation to generation within a particular community as treasures and mainsprings of our culture and reflections of our identity as Filipinos. In the same way our built heritage is to be preserved and promoted, intangible heritage is also to be treasured in order to ensure continuity of traditions. AN INVENTORY OF INTANGIBLE HERITAGE As the defacto ministry of culture, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), through its Intangible Cultural Heritage Unit, has been spearheading efforts in documenting intangible cultural heritage in the country. To date, NCCA facilitated three intangible heritage inscriptions in the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and are working toward the inclusion of other ICH elements from the Philippines. The Hudhud of the Ifugao was first to be included in the Proclamation of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2001. The hudhud is composed of more than 200 narrative chants divided into 40 episodes, which are usually sung during rice sowing season, harvest time, funeral wakes, and rituals. Second to be inscribed in the Proclamation of Masterpieces is the Darangen epic chant of the Meranao, in 2003. Darangen is an ancient epic song, comprised of 17 cycles that celebrate history and the depth and breadth of knowledge of the Maranao people in the Lake Lanao region. It covers the lives of mythical heroes as well as customary laws and values of the Maranao. The latest inscription in 2015 was the Punnuk, a tugging ritual among the three communities residing in Hungduan, Ifugao. The ritual, which also marks a time of celebration and relaxation, takes place at the Hapao River following the rice harvest that marks the completion of the agricultural cycle in the community. Although three items had already been inscribed, NCCA continues its efforts to list and document the ICH of the Philippines. Among its efforts is the publication of the book Pinagmulan: Enumeration from the Philippine Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage edited by the anthropologist Jesus Peralta. Three hundred thirty-five (335) elements were inscribed in the publication, which covers five the domains identified for inclusion: (1) Oral Traditions and Expressions, including Language (2) Performing Arts, (3) Social Practices, Rituals, and Festive Events, (4) Knowledge and Practices Concerning Nature and the Universe; and (5) Traditional Craftsmanship. DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE AND THE ICH With the change of leadership in 2017, NCCA has directed its main thrusts toward the establishment of the Department of Culture and enriching its ICH efforts. During his oath taking, current NCCA chairman and National Artist Virgilio Almario expressed his intent to push for and work toward the establishment of the Department of Culture and highlighted the need to focus on safeguarding and promoting the intangible cultural heritage (ICH) of the country. “Napakahalaga na mag-ukol tayo ng pansin, salapi, at pagsisikap para mas maituon pa nating mabuti ang ating mga intangible cultural heritage. Napakayaman natin sa intangible heritage higit sa tangible heritage at yung kayamanang iyon ay kailangan nating mahukay at magamit sa kasalukuyan (We need to give more attention, money, and efforts to our intangible heritage to better preserve and promote. We have far more intangible than tangible riches and we need to unearth them so we can use them at present).” Almario said. Former NCCA chairman Felipe De Leon Jr. and Senator Loren Legarda, author of Senate Bill No. 2208 enacting the establishment of a Department of Culture, both expressed their support to this endeavor and have since been working, with the help of the private and public individuals of the sector, toward the creation of said department.