Our Seas, Our Story: A Continuing Conversation on Philippine Maritime Heritage

Official Poster of the 9th Philippine Maritime Heritage Forum

March 11, 2026 – Pasay City, NCR, Philippines

Article by AIMS Museo Maritimo Team

For an archipelago like the Philippines, the sea has has always been a bridge. It connects communities, sustains livelihoods, shapes culture, and tells stories that span centuries. Recognizing this enduring relationship, AIMS Museo Maritimo (AMM) continues its annual tradition of bringing scholars, students, and maritime professionals together through the Philippine Maritime Heritage Forum.

This year, AMM invites you to the 9th Philippine Maritime Heritage Forum, themed “Our Seas, Our Story: From Heritage to Sovereignty,” happening on 13 March 2026 (Friday), from 08:00 AM to 12:00 NN via Zoom.

Since its inception, the forum has served as a platform for meaningful conversations about the Philippines as a maritime nation. Earlier forums revisited the country’s deep historical ties with the sea, while later discussions expanded to contemporary maritime issues, education, and industry. Each year builds upon the last — reflecting how maritime heritage continues to shape national identity and development.

This year’s forum takes a more focused turn by exploring the relationship between maritime activity and marine ecosystems. Too often, maritime development and ocean conservation are treated separately, even though they share the same waters. The forum seeks to open a dialogue on how heritage, policy, and environmental stewardship can work together toward a more sustainable maritime future.

The program will feature emerging scholars from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) Department of History, who will present their research on local maritime histories. Their work highlights how coastal communities, maritime industries, and historical narratives intersect in shaping the Filipino experience with the sea.

This forum is an invitation — to listen, exchange ideas, and strengthen connections among researchers, students, maritime practitioners, and advocates of ocean heritage.

Theme: Our Seas, Our Story: From Heritage to Sovereignty

Date: 13 March 2026 (Friday) Time: 08:00 AM – 12:00 NN Venue: Online via Zoom

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86150788566?pwd=vfVxybEHgdPCEb9Rqj8tly82BavQbM.1

Meeting ID: 861 5078 8566 Passcode: 857897

We look forward to welcoming you as we continue the conversation on Philippine maritime heritage — and the shared responsibility of caring for the seas that shape our nation.