“Argao: In Search of a Usable Past” By Paul Gerschwiler (Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.)
More than the coffee-table book that it may first seem to be, this most recent attempt at capturing the life and culture of the people living in one town of the Southern Heritage Trail of Cebu offers answers to the questions of how the past can remain relevant to the present, and how it can direct a community’s vision of the future it wants to achieve. Wellresearched and reader-friendly, “Argao: In Search of a Usable Past” has a bonus in its wealth of wonderful photographs that not only help preserve the past in the old-timers’ memory but also present a visual narrative for the youth to learn from.
Author Paul Gerschwiler, a Swiss national, was in the professional integrated audio-visual facility projects business on an international scale. He frequently traveled all around the world for nearly three decades. In and out of Cebu since 1988, he finally settled in Argao for good with his wife Mercy beginning April 2005.
Approaching his new homeland with an open mind and a good deal of curiosity, Gerschwiler started exploring it, discovering sites and places, learning more and more about the local people, their way of life, traditions, livelihood and past. He also began researching about Cebu’s historical, cultural, social and economic background. His findings fueled a desire to help develop and promote decent cultural tourism to the scenic Southern Cebu.
Gerschwiler’s book revisits Argao’s history and culture. It pictures how life was in the southern town during the preHispanic period. It also relates the origin behind the famous delicacy – the Torta de Argao. It tells, as well, the stories behind details found in the town’s San Miguel Arcangel Church.
Explaining its interest in the book, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), through its Culture & Historical Unit (CHU), says the book is in line with RAFI-CHU’s mission to support and implement initiatives in preserving local culture and heritage as important factor in the development of the nation. “We want to play an important role in educating the community about history and translating this knowledge to developing a sense of pride as Cebuanos,” RAFI president Roberto Aboitiz points out.
The book contains beautiful photos of Argao and its people, then and now. During its launching on October 7 last week, copies of the book were turned over to officials of the Cebu Provincial Government, the Municipality of Argao, and the Department of Education.