Pampanga-Jakarta, Sarangani-Sangihe Connections Highlight Strong Shared History of PH, Indonesia

Focus Group Discussion on the theme “Border and Identity” on 01 August 2025 at the Center for Research on Society and Culture, Faculty of Humanities at the University of Indonesia in Depok, West Java. (Jakarta PE photo)

JAKARTA 08 August 2025 — In observance of Philippine History Month and Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa, the Philippine Embassy in Jakarta successfully hosted a series of academic and cultural events that underscored the historical connections between the Philippines and Indonesia. 

The Embassy organized a three-part lecture series and public discussions featuring Assistant Professor Ian Christopher B. Alfonso, PhD, from the University of the Philippines Department of History and a native of Pampanga. Prof. Alfonso presented a new approach to understanding Philippines-Indonesia relationship through a new perspective on interlocality, or the interconnectedness of local histories. Drawing from his book, A History of the Sarangani Islands 1521-1921, he discussed the trans-Sulawesi history of the Sarangani Islands of Mindanao, and the local history of Papanggo in Jakarta which traces its origin from Pampanga in the Philippines, as well as the town of Ternate in Cavite Province whose natives were from Ternate in Maluku, Indonesia.

The first activity was a Focus Group Discussion on “Border and Identity” held on 01 August 2025 at the Universitas Indonesia (UI), Depok, West Java. Charge d’Affaires Gonaranao B. Musor and Cultural Officer Radegunda C. Velasco-Dela Cruz joined Prof. Alfonso and UI faculty members, students and historians in the focus group discussion. 

Professor Alfonso shared his in-depth insights on the historical context of the Philippines-Indonesia border, particularly on the Sarangani Islands of Mindanao and Sangihe of North Sulawesi. He also shed light on the Kapampangan migrants who became part of the Batavia (now Jakarta) population during the Dutch colonial period. These Kapampangans, referred to by the Dutch as “Papanggers,” established an enclave that is until now called Papanggo, a neighborhood in North Jakarta.  

Second event was the lecture “Magkaugnayan na Kasaysayan ng Pilipinas” at Indonesia which was held on 02 August 2025 at the Multi-Purpose Hall of the Philippine Embassy to celebrate Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa with the Filipino community in Jakarta. 

In his remarks, Charge d’Affaires Musor stressed the value of historical awareness in strengthening diplomatic relations: “Ang panayam na ito ay hindi lamang isang pagbabalik-tanaw, isa rin itong paanyaya sa lahat na higit pang kilalanin, unawain at ipagdiwang ang ating pakikipag-ugnayan sa ating malapit na kapitbahay sa Timog-Silangang Asya. Hinihikayat ko kayong makiisa, makinig at makilahok sa mga pagtalakay upang higit pa nating mapalalim ang ating pagkakaunawaan at pagpapahalaga sa ating pinag tagni-tagning kasaysayan.”   

Last event was “Kasaysayan: A Lecture on the Interlocality of Philippine-Indonesian History” held on 04 August 2025 at the Bentara Budaya Jakarta to celebrate Philippine History Month with the diplomatic corps, Indonesian government officials, students, and the media.

Mr. Anton Wibisono, Head of the Cultural Advocacy Sub-Directorate, Directorate of Cultural Diplomacy, delivered a keynote speech on behalf of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia. 

“Indonesia strongly supports these priorities and remains committed to working closely with the Philippines and other ASEAN partners to uphold cultural heritage as a pillar of our regional identity. We believe that initiatives like today’s lecture play a vital role in this mission by bringing scholars, practitioners, and communities together to rediscover our interconnected stories,” Mr. Anton said in his remarks

Meanwhile, Charge d’Affaires Musor emphasized the significance of the event in strengthening bilateral relations: “This lecture series provides us with a valuable opportunity to reflect on the rich, interwoven tapestry of Filipino-Indonesian history. It is a moment to appreciate cultural and historical ties that continue to bind our peoples together and to invite dialogue, understanding, and deeper connection through scholarship and cultural exchange.” 

This lecture series is part of a broader initiative by the Philippine Embassy to promote historical awareness, academic exchange and cross-cultural dialogue. END

Focus Group Discussion on  the theme “Border and Identity” on 01 August 2025 at the Center for Research on Society and Culture, Faculty of Humanities at the University of Indonesia in Depok, West Java. (Jakarta PE photo)

Mr. Iwan Santoso of Kompas shares his insights on the trans-Sulawesi history of the Sarangani Islands in Mindanao. (Jakarta PE photo)

Prof. Ian Christopher Alfonso, PhD, discusses the trans-Sulawesi history of the Sarangani Islands in Mindanao. (Jakarta PE photo)

Prof. Ian Christopher Alfonso, PhD, discusses the trans-Sulawesi history of the Sarangani Islands in Mindanao. (Jakarta PE photo)

Chargé d’Affaires Gonaranao B. Musor (right), together with Philippine Mission to ASEAN Chargé d’Affaires Maria Elena Cristina D. Maningat and Prof. Ian Christopher Alfonso, did a quick tour of Papanggo in North Jakarta. (Jakarta PE photo)

Chargé d’Affaires Gonaranao B. Musor, kasama si Prof. Prof. Ian Christopher Alfonso, at ilan sa mga dumalo sa panayam na pinamagatang Magkaugnay na Kasaysayan ng Pilipinas at Indonesia. (Jakarta PE photo)

Tinalakay ni Prof. Alfonso ang magkaugnay na kasaysayan ng Sarangani Islands sa Mindanao at ng Sangihe sa Hilagang Sulawesi. (Jakarta PE photo)

Tinalakay ni Prof. Alfonso ang magkaugnay na kasaysayan ng Sarangani Islands sa Mindanao at ng Sangihe sa Hilagang Sulawesi. (Jakarta PE photo)

Tinalakay ni Prof. Alfonso ang magkaugnay na kasaysayan ng Sarangani Islands sa Mindanao at ng Sangihe sa Hilagang Sulawesi. (Jakarta PE photo)

Tinalakay ni Prof. Alfonso ang magkaugnay na kasaysayan ng Sarangani Islands sa Mindanao at ng Sangih. (Jakarta PE photo)

Chargé d’Affaires Gonaranao B. Musor (right)  at Prof. Ian Christopher Alfonso. (Jakarta PE photo)

Chargé d’Affaires Gonaranao B. Musor, together with Prof. Prof. Ian Christopher Alfonso; PhD, Mr. Anton Wibisono, Head of the Cultural Advocacy Sub-Directorate, Directorate of Cultural Diplomacy of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia; and some of the participants of the Kasaysayan: A Lecture on the Interlocality of Philippine-Indonesian History pose for a group photo. (Jakarta PE photo)

Chargé d’Affaires Gonaranao B. Musor delivers his welcome remarks during the Kasaysayan: A Lecture on the Interlocality of Philippine-Indonesian History. (Jakarta PE photo)

Mr. Anton Wibisono, Head of the Cultural Advocacy Sub-Directorate, Directorate of Cultural Diplomacy, delivered the keynote remarks on behalf of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia. (Jakarta PE photo)

Prof. Ian Christopher Alfonso, PhD, discusses the trans-Sulawesi history of the Sarangani Islands in Mindanao and Sangihe of North Sulawesi. (Jakarta PE photo)

Chargé d’Affaires Gonaranao B. Musor (leftmost), Prof. Prof. Ian Christopher Alfonso, PhD (center) and Mr. Anton Wibisono, Head of the Cultural Advocacy Sub-Directorate, Directorate of Cultural Diplomacy of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia pose for a group photo. (Jakarta PE photo)

Chargé d’Affaires Gonaranao B. Musor (right) presents a Certificate of Appreciation to Prof. Prof. Ian Christopher Alfonso, PhD (left). (Jakarta PE photo)

For more information, visit https://www.jakartape.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philembjkt.com, https://facebook.com/PHLinIndonesia/, https://twitter.com/PHinIndonesia, or https://www.instagram.com/phlinindonesia/.