Heritage keepers

History bears out that whenever our nation’s liberty is threatened, our countrymen rise up in arms to defend our freedom. When our national heritage is threatened by pernicious termites, the National Historical Institute (NHI) takes on the big fight to protect our forebears’ legacy.

The NHI is the custodian of our cultural heritage and its vision is to make Filipinos conscious and proud of our glorious past, and develop in us the desire to emulate our great countrymen. Some of its functions include the research and publication of writings of historical value, commemoration of significant events and personages in history, to promote Philippine history and culture, identification and marking of historical places, maintenance of important landmarks such as the Rizal Shrine in Fort Santiago and the Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite, restoration and preservation of heroes’ memorabilia like the Rizal family furniture and vintage/historical cars, the preparation of heraldic designs and blazoning of government institutions, and the implementations of flag laws in the country. Present NHI chairman and executive director Dr. Pablo S. Trillana III is determined to develop the institute as an outstanding resource center on Philippine history-related matters.

Part of the NHI’s curatorial duties is to protect structures and historical antiquities from termites. When talking of history and culture, the task of termite-treating may seem mundane, even unromantic, but the job has to be done and done well. Architect Veronica Dado, graduate of the University of the Philippines and chief of NHI Monuments and Heraldy Division declares, "The physical aspect of history is very important because it represents the tangible legacies from our rich past." She adds that actually seeing and touching history awakens the soul to a deeper appreciation of one’s ‘Filipino-ness’."

Rani Benitez, NHI Maintenance Section head, recounts their past experience with traditional treatment: "Previous pest control companies employed the conventional spray technique. Since the structures are already there and could not be disrupted, it was very hard to totally eliminate termite colonies." Man-and-the-can method usually makes voracious creatures scamper away for a short period and then reappear with vengeance.

Preserving Luna’s Hats

What’s truly upsetting is that the building structures are not the only ones at risk of being attacked by these subterranean critters. Priceless reference books and historical objects that cannot be replicated – think Aguinaldo’s boots or Antonio Luna’s hats – are also easy targets for termites. Restoration and repair are never cheap, especially for a government agency that needs all the financial help it can get.

But like a good home/property owner, the NHI– through the stewardship of Dr. Trillana – is investing on a revolutionary termite treatment system to properly and effectively keep our national treasures from becoming termite fodder.

Enter Termite Terminator

Sentricon System, the phenomenal anti-termite technology that has been taking the pest control industry by storm, is being installed in eleven historical sites including the Rizal Shrine in Calamba, the Barasoain Museum, the Bonifacio Trial House and the Aguinaldo Shrine in Cavite. The National Historical Institute has given Sanitech, a pest control firm owned and operated by the very hardworking UP Los Baños alumni Noel and Gennie de Guia the green light to set up termite treatment devices to protect and preserve the different heritage zones.

Sentricon Termite Colony Elimination System from US-based leader Dow Agro Sciences takes advantage of natural termite behavior and acts like an early warning device and a treatment method. Hexaflumuron, the bait material in Sentricon, is the first pest control product in the US to receive "fast-track" registration from the Environmental Protection Agency in the new "Reduced Pesticide Risk" category. Last year, Sentricon was awarded the US presidential Green Chemistry Award for its commitment to keep the environment safe.

Protecting and Promoting History

Both Sentricon and Sanitech are proud to be part of this noble job of protecting the national heritage, lauding the National Historical Institute for the revolutionary initiative. According to Sanitech’s Noel de Guia (who, interestingly, happens to be a past National Quiz Bee champion in history), his company is helping the NHI achieve independence – from termites, that is. He stresses that Sentricon System is excellent for the task because the technology is so effective (the client roster is a veritable listing of the country’s who’s who- and continues to swell), is absolutely non-disruptive, odorless, environmentally friendly and safe which makes it ideal for homes and high-rise buildings, and other "sensitive" places like hospitals, schools drugstores, food establishments, museums, libraries and warehouses.

Aside from battling subterranean termites for love of country, architect Dado says the NHI conducts educational tours, exhibits and other noteworthy projects like "Adopt-A-Shrine" to generate much needed funds for the institute. Plans are underway to publish a guidebook for Philippine landmarks. Also every year, the NHI sponsors a national quiz bee as well as a quartet singing competition. The Museum of Political History (from pre-Hispanic to EDSA) within the NHI building on TM Kalaw, Manila will soon be fully operational with exciting features like interactive exhibits, hologram displays, diorama and video footage. Benitez says that the Philippine centennial celebration included mall exhibits in Harrison Plaza, Ever Gotesco and SM Megamall, bringing culture and history where the masses are.

"Resisting vandalism by not putting graffiti on walls, tidying up the shrines and behaving properly when touring the museums are simple patriotic acts that go a long way in helping preserve our national identity," architect Dado concludes.

Ela Dillague, marketing manager of Dow AgroSciences-Sentricon in the Philippines, shares, "During client presentations, we would boast that Sentricon System is the technology that protects the US Statue of Liberty. We are happy that now, we can say that Sentricon is helping preserve and protect the Filipino heritage."

The National Historical Institute has given Sanitech, a pest control firm owned and operated by the very hardworking UP Los Baños alumni Noel and Gennie de Guia the green light to set up termite treatment devices to protect and preserve the different heritage zones.