IN MEMORIAM
Dr. Serafin D. Quiason, Jr.
Scholar, Cultural Administrator and Historian
D
r. Serafin D. Quiason Jr., scholar, cultural administrator and historian, passed away on August 13, 2016, in Plainsboro, New Jersey, at the age of 86. Dr. Quiason was acting chairman of the Presidential Commission for Culture and the Arts (PCCA) from June to August 1992, becoming one of the key figures of the agency’s transition to NCCA. His work with the PCCA started with his designation as the first commissioner for Cultural Heritage during its establishment in 1987. He was instrumental in organizing the National Committee on Monuments and Site in 1987 and was also among those who lobbied for the creation of the National Committee on Historical Research in 1992 as the sixth national committee under the Subcommission on Cultural Heritage. Dr. Quiason studied History at the University of the Philippines, graduating cum laude in 1952. He finished his masteral degree in History in 1954 and his doctorate, also in History in 1962, both at the University of Pennsylvania. From 1965 to 1970, Dr. Quiason was an associate professor of History in the Department of History of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of the Philippines, Diliman. Later on, he became assistant chairman. He also became director of The National Library from 1966 to 1986. His work for the library sector did not
stop with the NLP. His contribution extended to organizing groups and organizations to further the influence and importance of library and information services. He was among the founding members of the Philippine Library Scholarship Council, Inc., in 1971 and served as president of the Philippine Library Association, Inc., from 1980 to 1981. After his retirement, he still served as an executive committee member of the NCCA’s National Committee on Libraries and Information Services from 2001 to 2004. In 1981, while the director of the National Library, Dr. Quiason was named acting chairman of the National Historical Institute, now National Historical Commission of the Philippines. He focused on strengthening NHI programs on cultural and historical education. His term as NHI chairman marked a significant build up in the field of historical research. He also spearheaded publication of new titles on Philippines history, and translation projects of Spanish and French publications on Philippine history into Filipino. He likewise intensified the study of history through the popular quiz show called “Paligsahan sa Kasaysayan.” He continued his service as NHI chairman from 1986 until his retirement in 1996. He was instrumental in the construction and completion of the Museum of Philippine History and the National Historical Building at the Rizal Park.
Besides his work for the two institutions, Dr. Quiason was the secretary general of the Southeast Asian Regional Branch of the International Council of Archives from 1971 to 1975; an elected member of the Rome-based Advisory Council of the International Center of the Study of the Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Property; a member of the Ad-Hoc Numismatic Committee of the Central Bank of the Philippines; a member of the UNESCO Advisory Committee for the Study of Malay and Southeast Asian Cultures in 1978; a trustee of the Museo ng Malacanan Foundation from 1986 to 1990; a member of the Silk Road Expedition Across Central Asia, sponsored by UNESCO Paris in 1990; a member of the National Centennial Commission from 1993 to 1998; a regent of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila from January to June 1998; a project director of the Museo ng Maynila from 1997 to 1998; and a consultant to the Lopez Museum and Library starting in 1998. Dr. Quiason is among the key people who pushed forward the drafting and passing of Republic Act 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines in 1998. He had also published works on history, economics and the social sciences including The English “Country Trade” with the Philippines: 1644-1765 (1966), and Ang Kasaysayan ng Asya. He was also a recipient of numerous fellowships and awards.