Heritage in the Digital Age

At the National Museum forum, Mighty Magulang stresses that preserving heritage now depends on honest storytelling and shared responsibility.

Words & Photos by Gerie Marie Consolacion
December 11, 2025

At the National Museum of the Philippines’ media forum titled “Narratives in Motion: Museums, Media, and the Digital Age of Storytelling,” content creator and heritage advocate Mona Magno Veluz, widely known as Mighty Magulang, spoke about the changing landscape of storytelling and why museums, media, educators, and digital creators must work together to keep Philippine history alive for the next generation.

Mona said the public’s attention today is often pulled toward breaking news, scandals, floods, crime, and the fast, noisy cycle of daily headlines. History, she noted, easily gets pushed aside. Many see it as “old news,” and that is exactly why, she said, museums and cultural groups need to bring more people into the conversation.

She emphasized the need for educators, culture bearers, and teachers to work hand in hand with museums and media. “Para mapalaganap natin ang pag-aaral sa nakaraan, kailangan talagang magtulungan tayo,” she said. She welcomed the National Museum’s effort to build a media core, saying it is a crucial step in making sure important stories actually reach the public.

Mona pointed out that many people think museums are only for school field trips. “Para sa marami, grade two pa sila huling pumunta. Hindi nila alam na nagbabago ang museum, minsan buwan-buwan.” To change this, she believes there must be a network of people sharing these stories. It cannot fall on one group alone.

In the digital age, she said, many audiences respond more to content that feels “natural, organic, and genuine.” This is why content creators play a big role in bringing museums closer to the public. It does not always take a professional creator, she added; even a simple post on Facebook or TikTok can spark interest when it feels authentic.

The challenge, she explained, is that audiences today scroll fast and lose interest quickly. “Kailangan mo makuha ang atensyon nila sa unang sampung segundo,” she said. This changes the way stories are told. Traditional media works with structured writing and professional framing, while content creators work with shorter attention spans and quicker delivery. Both are important, but both must adapt and collaborate to strengthen heritage storytelling.

Mona also touched on the issue of free museum access. She explained that while public museums are supported by government funds, private museums rely on admission fees to stay open. Charging visitors helps them maintain their collections and pay their staff. She also added that understanding the realities behind museum operations can help the public appreciate why some fees are necessary.

When asked how to tell stories effectively, she said it starts with bringing the story to life and knowing how to present it in a way that connects with people personally. Traditional media does this through strong writing and discipline, while content creators bring relatability and speed. She believes both sides are now influencing each other, with some TV journalists even creating separate online platforms to explore more casual, conversational formats.

She also spoke about adjusting to younger audiences. Her own children keep her updated on what resonates with Gen Z and call her out when something feels “tone deaf.” Despite being older, she said people still watch her because her personality online matches who she really is.

Mona explained that over the years, many cultural groups and institutions have reached out to her for collaborations. She has even lectured at the National Museum before, presenting genealogies for cultural pageant candidates. For her, the heritage sector is a small community where museums, libraries, archives, and cultural agencies all intersect.

While she often visits museums, she hasn’t yet created content specifically for the National Museum itself, but she remains open to it. What matters to her is that people continue to share stories—honest, human, and rooted in real history.

At the heart of her message is a simple reminder: heritage storytelling is a shared responsibility. Whether through the lens of traditional media, the voice of teachers, the work of museums, or the creativity of digital storytellers, the goal is the same—to keep our stories alive and meaningful for generations to come.