by Mingming (The PhilWiki Community Blog), Irvin Sto. Tomas (ESEAP Preparatory Council), and Sakti Pramudya (WMF)
The Philippine Wikimedia Community User Group has successfully implemented the Wikisource Loves Manuscript (WILMA) program after the conclusion of the first cohort of the WILMA Learning Partners network (WILMA LPN) training program thus it makes the PhilWiki Community the first implementer of the WILMA program outside Indonesia.
The PhilWiki Community, in partnership with the Bikol Wikipedia Community and the Nueva Caceres Heritage Movement Inc. (NCHMI), organized the pilot activity of WILMA in the Philippines and is committed to supporting the preservation of intangible heritage through this local digital resource initiative. The concept of the training program conducted by the PhilWiki Community comprises two phases. The first phase comprises the 24-hour Wiki Loves Manuscripts Philippines (WILMA PH) basic training course on transcribing, proofreading, and validating of Wikisource pages held from the first week of June toward mid-July 2024. In the second phase, the 40-hour WILMA PH advanced Wikisource workshop commenced on July 20th with the two-day Bikol Wikisource Training of Trainers (TOT) at the City Hall Conference Room in Naga City.
The opening program of the WILMA PH training attracted around 40 participants from the University of Nueva Caceres (UNC) – College of Engineering and Architecture, Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges (CSPC) – Center for Rinconada Culture and Arts , representatives from the City Youth Officials of Naga City, and Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA)-Calabanga – College of Education.
From this program, we aim to develop a pool of competent trainers, engage GLAM staff to strengthen their capacity, and collaborate with heritage, language, and cultural organizations to build an open library on Wikisource, shared by Irvin Sto. Tomas, one of the pioneer WILMA Learning Partner Networks collaborators and an ESEAP (East, South East Asia, and the Pacific) Preparatory Council member. On that occasion, Irvin also provided lectures on Wikisource modules and introduced the month-long Proofreading Challenge offering tips on contributing to Wikisource as well as ensuring safety in the digital platform.
We commend the organization’s efforts for preserving and safeguarding the region’s valuable heritage on Wikisource, shared by Sakti Pramudya, Senior Partnerships Manager for ESEAP from Wikimedia Foundation when he extended his heartfelt congratulations to the PhilWiki Community for successfully conducting the first WILMA workshop in its base in Naga City.
The opening ceremony was also attended by the representatives of the local government of Naga City, Mr. Elmer Baldemoro (City Administrator, on behalf of City Mayor Nelson Legacion) and City Councilor Jose Perez (Chair of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Culture and Arts), as well as heritage activists including former City Councilor Bernadette Roco, Mr. Ramon Olaño, Jr. (President of Sumaro Bikolnon and co-founder of Bikol Wikipedia Community), and Arch. Josenia Merencillo (President of the Nueva Caceres Heritage Movement, Inc.) They shared their experience on heritage conservation, event organization and community participation, and hope to preserve the Bicol language and culture.
Ms. Maffeth Opiana-Sto. Tomas, the president of the PhilWiki Community, expressed her utmost gratitude to the participants, partners, and the Wikimedia Foundation for providing support.
After the conclusion of the TOT program, the training will be extended to the newly-established Bisdak Wikimedian Community, a PhilWiki Community affiliate in Cebu headed by Elmer Montejo, focusing on the use of the Cebuano language in the sharing of free knowledge. Further, a workshop on building the Ilokano edition of Wikisource is among the sessions at the GLAM Wiki Conference Philippines: Empowering Communities Toward an Accessible Knowledge of Cultural Heritage happening at the National Museum of the Philippines – Ilocos and Ciudad Fernandina Hotel in Vigan, Ilocos Sur on September 20-22, 2024.
In line with the spirit of the WILMA Learning Partners Network, we hope the event demonstrates how Wikisource can be an excellent platform to preserve heritage and culture. If you are interested in being a part of the WILMA Learning Partners Network, sign up here to join the network and contribute to the next cohort.
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