THREE professors have been appointed to key positions in cultural and historical commissions, Malacañang has announced.
Assoc. Prof. Eric Zerrudo, who leads the cultural heritage studies program of the UST Graduate School, was named executive director of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) on April 19.
He replaced Oscar Casaysay, who had held the post since January 2022.
Prior to his appointment, Zerrudo served as faculty member at the NCCA Philippine Cultural Education Program and director of the UST Graduate School Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the Tropics (USTGS-CCPET).
Zerrudo is an accredited evaluation expert for cultural serial and landscape sites of the World Heritage International Council on Monuments and Sites. His expertise includes cultural heritage management, cultural mapping, and museum development.
Zerrudo took his oath before NCCA Chair Victorino Manalo on April 24.
Retired UST archivist Prof. Regalado Jose and Assoc. Prof. Eloisa de Castro of the UST Department of History were named regular members of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) board on May 6.
Jose served as the University’s chief archivist from 2012 to 2021 and was the NCCA commissioner for cultural heritage from 2011 to 2013.
He is an expert on Philippine sacred art, architecture and history who helped establish the USTGS-CCPET along with UST Museum Director Fr. Isidro Abaño, O.P. and Zerrudo.
Joining Jose on the NHCP board is De Castro, who teaches history at the Faculty of Arts and Letters.
De Castro has authored and co-authored a number of history books, including “La Naval: Triumph of a People’s Faith,” which was named Best Book in History in 2008 by the National Book Development Authority.
She was the sole editor of the second edition of the book “Old Manila” by National Artist Carlos Quirino.
As regular members of the NHCP board, Jose and De Castro will be responsible for voting on “matters relating to historical research and similar academic concerns.”
Despite the NHCP board being composed of nine members, including four ex-officio members, only the five regular members who represent the private sector are allowed to vote on such matters.
De Castro and Jose will serve four-year terms.
