Ino Manalo

Victorino “Ino” Manalo is one of the Philippines’ most seasoned leaders in culture and heritage management. As chairman of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and executive director of the National Archives of the Philippines, he plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the nation’s cultural memory while shaping the future of Philippine cultural policy.

Under his leadership, the NCCA has strengthened nationwide implementation of the Cultural Mapping Law, empowering local communities to document and protect heritage assets. Training initiatives—including a five-day cultural mapping workshop in Bolinao, Pangasinan in 2024—reflect his commitment to grassroots capacity building and a whole-of-society approach to preservation.

Manalo has also helped elevate the Philippines’ cultural presence on the global stage. As commissioner of the Philippine pavilion at the 60th Venice Art Biennale, he oversaw the country’s participation in the exhibition Kabilang-tabing ng panahong ito/ Waiting Just Behind the Curtain of This Age, by artist Mark Salvatus, which ran from April 20 to November 24, 2024. The exhibition later returned to the Philippines for its homecoming show at the National Museum of Anthropology. He also led preparations for the country’s participation in the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale, which opened in May 2025, with the Philippine pavilion presenting the project Soil-beings (Lamánlupa).

His leadership emphasizes innovation, stronger institutional collaboration and increased cultural education. Partnerships with national agencies, local governments and private institutions—including the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Office of Senator Loren Legarda—reflect his commitment to building infrastructure for long-term cultural development.

Championing youth engagement, digital transformation and accessible identity, Manalo ensures that heritage is not only preserved but actively lived, shared and strengthened for future generations.