PRESS RELEASE

A groundbreaking digital archaeology initiative aimed at preserving and reimagining the Philippine seafaring heritage will be launched during the first Butuan Balangay International Conference on September 18–19, 2025 in Butuan City.

The University of the Philippines (UP) School of Archaeology will soft-launch the Heritage and Archaeology through Big Data and Imagery (HABI) Laboratory, a state-of-the-art facility that integrates digital technologies into archaeological research, heritage conservation, and public engagement.

Spearheaded by UP School of Archaeology dean Lee Anthony M. Neri, the HABI Lab seeks to complement traditional methods with tools such as 3D scanning and remote sensing. These innovations are designed to create immersive experiences that connect Filipinos with their precolonial maritime legacy.

“Digital archaeology transforms not just how we work, but what questions we can address about our past,” Neri said. “It helps us reconstruct lost traditions, identify patterns invisible to the naked eye, and most importantly, conserve our heritage while making it accessible to every Filipino.”

During the conference, the HABI Lab will showcase interactive 3D scans of archaeological sites and artifacts, including detailed digital reconstructions of the Butuan balangay boat planks.

The scans are part of an ongoing collaboration between UP and the National Museum, led by researchers Nero Austero and Rachelle Anne Geline Ureta.

Associate professor Ligaya Lacsina, conference chair and faculty member of the UP School of Archaeology, highlighted the broader implications: “As our capabilities improve to include remote sensing, we see the greater potential of discovering more sites and deepening our understanding of our past.”

The Butuan Balangay International Conference, jointly organized by UP, Caraga State University, the National Museum, and the City of Butuan, commemorates the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the historic balangay boats in Agusan del Norte.

With the theme “Maritime Heritage and Sustainable Oceans,” the event will explore how indigenous knowledge and cultural traditions can inform modern strategies for ocean sustainability. The conference is open to scholars, cultural practitioners, students, and community members.

Registration is available via balangay.up.edu.ph.