(left to right, first row) Metropolitan Museum of Manila Director for Administration Nelda I. Sansaet; Security Bank FVP Bee Bee S. Chua; Filipino Heritage Festival, Inc. Treasurer Araceli “Chi-Chi” Salas; and Bishop Emeritus of Tagbilaran & CBCP-Episcopal Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church Vice-Chair Most Rev. Leonardo Y. Medroso (left to right, second row) FUNtastic Philippines, Inc. President Jun Bucao, Jr.; National Commission for Culture and the Arts Project Development Officer Jeremy Rodriguez Chan; Fujifilm Philippines, Inc. Senior Product Specialist Glenn Gatan; and FUNtastic Philippines, Inc. Vice President Richelli Ridon Castellano

In celebration of the National Heritage Month, Security Bank Corporation, together with the Filipino Heritage Festival and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, in partnership with Metropolitan Museum of Manila, Philippine Postal Corporation and FUNtastic Philippines Inc. opened the photo exhibition entitled UP FRONT: Encountering the Sacred; and the simultaneous Commemorative Stamp launch, which featured the Philippine Colonial Churches.

This year’s theme is “Pambansang Pagkakaisa para sa Pamana” or “National Unity through Heritage.”  The exhibit aims to promote the tangible heritage in the Philippines through featured photographs of churches declared as National Cultural Treasure, National Historical Landmark, Important Cultural Property or a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Photographs shown were courtesy of the members of FUNtastic Philippines, an organization of photo enthusiasts established in 2012.

The exhibition serves as a platform for the citizens to preserve the country’s cultural heritage and celebrate the diverse and multi-faceted identity of the nation.

UP FRONT: Encountering the Sacred runs at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila until June 9, 2018.