CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar — Samar State University (SSU) strengthened its advocacy for local history and heritage preservation through the participation of its Museum and Archives Head, Prof. Jhonil C. Bajado, as guest speaker at the inauguration of the Catbalogan National Comprehensive High School (CNCHS) Museum of Local History and Heritage on October 19, 2026. Bajado’s participation highlighted SSU’s contribution to cultural heritage conservation and community-based education. He also serves as president of the Eastern Visayas Association of Museums (EVAM), which formally welcomed the newly established CNCHS Museum as a member during the event.
In his keynote address, Bajado emphasized the importance of preserving local heritage to deepen students’ understanding of history and strengthen their sense of identity and belonging. “To see Catbalogan National Comprehensive High School take this bold and visionary step today fills my heart with immense pride,” Bajado said, underscoring that Samar’s history lives not only in textbooks but also in its soil, oral traditions, local struggles, and enduring triumphs. The inauguration gathered representatives from the education, cultural, and local government sectors, including Dr. Crista Joy Abogadie, OIC-Schools Division Superintendent of the Catbalogan City Division; Dr. Pops Jaralbio, CNCHS principal; Ador Hurtado, Catbalogan City Tourism Officer; and Hermie Sanchez, a renowned Catbaloganon poet.
The CNCHS Museum serves as a dedicated space for preserving and showcasing the history and cultural heritage of Catbalogan and Samar. Its establishment also supports efforts to integrate local history into education and encourage younger generations to value and protect their cultural roots. Through the expertise and engagement of its Museum and Archives Head, SSU continues to support initiatives that promote heritage awareness, cultural preservation, and the role of local history in education and community development.