MANILA — The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Apolinario Mabini Shrine at Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) formally launched the Mabini Unbound Lecture Series last July 23, 2026, as part of the commemoration of the 162nd birth anniversary of Apolinario Mabini, one of the Philippines’ foremost revolutionary thinkers and statesmen.
The inaugural lecture was held at the Resource Room, 2nd Floor of the NHCP Apolinario Mabini Shrine – PUP, gathering students, educators, heritage advocates, researchers, and members of the academic community.
Leading the opening lecture was Eufemio O. Agbayani III, NHCP Historic Sites Development Officer II, who delivered the lecture titled “Bakit Nakatayo si Mabini? Si Pule sa Mata ng Bayan.”
In his presentation, Agbayani examined busts, monuments, paintings, and other memorial representations of Mabini to explore how Filipinos remember the hero and how these images have shaped public understanding across generations. The lecture highlighted the evolving nature of historical memory and the role of visual culture in constructing the nation’s collective perception of Mabini.
The discussion also revisited the figure of “Si Pule” and analyzed how artistic and commemorative forms influence the way historical figures are interpreted by the public. By comparing different representations of Mabini, Agbayani traced the shifts in public perception from the early years of the Republic to contemporary times.
The event drew strong participation from academic and heritage-sector partners, including student organizations such as PUP–Samahan ng mga Mag-aaral ng Kasaysayan (SMK), PUP–Philippine Studies Students Association (PHILSSA), and the Pangkasaysayang Samahan ng Adamson University (PASAdU). Representatives from Project Saysay, Carlos L. Albert High School, DOT CALABARZON tour guides, and independent scholars also attended the program.
According to the NHCP Apolinario Mabini Shrine–PUP, the lecture series is envisioned as a new annual platform for critical and interdisciplinary conversations on Mabini’s life and legacy. The program seeks to move beyond traditional historiography by examining Mabini through the lenses of the social sciences, culture, the arts, and disability studies.
Organizers said the initiative aims to “unbound” discussions on Mabini by encouraging fresh perspectives on his ideas, political thought, and continuing relevance in Philippine society. Future lectures are expected to explore not only Mabini’s role in the Philippine Revolution and the First Philippine Republic but also his influence on contemporary debates on governance, citizenship, disability, and nationhood.
The launch of the Mabini Unbound Lecture Series marks a significant addition to the NHCP’s public history and heritage education programs, reinforcing the agency’s commitment to making Philippine history more accessible, inclusive, and intellectually engaging for a new generation of learners.
The activity formed part of the broader observance of Mabini’s 162nd birth anniversary, honoring the “Sublime Paralytic” whose writings and political philosophy continue to shape discussions on democracy, sovereignty, and national identity in the Philippines.
