The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) together with Book Nook will be holding HistoEx (History to Experience) 2026, flagship public history exposition of the agency from 27 to 29 July 2026 at the Music Hall, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City.
Under NHCP’s Dekada ng Kasaysayan, 2026 is the ‘Year of Philippine Diplomatic History and Diaspora,’ a nod to the agency’s commitment to advancing public understanding of the Philippines’ longstanding engagements in international diplomacy, and enduring narratives of overseas Filipino communities whose movements across borders have shaped both national identity and global presence.
With histoEx 2026’s theme, ‘Across Borders and Currents,’ the event and exhibit space visual draws inspiration from the United Nations General Assembly, emphasizing structure, dialogue, and multilateral diplomacy and paired with maritime forms to represent migration, movement, and resilience.
The three-day exposition will feature historical exhibitions, educational talks, interactive activities, and cultural presentations that promote a deeper appreciation of Philippine history and heritage among students, educators, researchers, cultural workers, and the general public.
This year’s highlights are KaSiklaban, a quiz show and Reyal or Fakeh, a trivia game. Both exciting activities are grounded in the deeper purpose of historical learning. Kasiklaban is an inter-collegiate quiz game that tests the knowledge of students on Philippine history, heritage, and identity while Reyal or Fakeh challenges participants to determine whether historical statements, facts, or popular beliefs are true or false.
The main component of the mini convention is histoEx Talks, where personalities from the arts, culture, or history discuss a topic – Ted Talk style. This year, the event will focus on Filipino global contributions and how they strengthen the country’s identity.
On 27 July, media personality and content creator Joy Barcoma will discuss the importance of making history engaging and relevant for contemporary audiences while on 29 July, acclaimed stage and screen actress Gab Pangilinan will share her experiences in the performing arts and reflect on the role of theater in preserving and communicating history, identity, and culture.
Admission to HistoEx 2026 is free. Visitors are invited to explore, participate, and engage with government agencies, museums, historical organizations, academic institutions, and private partners through a diverse range of exhibits and educational displays.
Participating institutions include the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Instituto Cervantes, FamilySearch Inc., National Commission on Muslim Filipinos and the National Museum of the Philippines, among others.
The NHCP is the national government agency mandated to promote Philippine history through research, publications, historical commemorations, and the conservation of the country’s historical sites, structures, and cultural heritage.