PSA: A Three-Day Free History Con Is Happening This Week

(SPOT.ph) August is officially Buwan ng Kasaysayan, but the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) is getting the party started early. Before the month even turns, HistoEx 2026 is taking over SM Mall of Asia for a three-day history mini-con from July 27 to 29. Featuring game shows, cash prizes, and fan-favorites as speakers, it promises a pretty entertaining way to celebrate local culture and heritage for free.

Here’s everything you need to know about this upcoming event.

Happening from Monday, July 27 to Wednesday, July 29, the three-day convention will run at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia. During these dates, this Pasay venue will be completely taken over by cultural exhibits, live talks, film screenings, and fun-yet-competitive trivia games.

Short for “History to Experience,” HistoEx is designed as a pop-culture-style mini-con celebrating Philippine heritage.  From local and national government representatives to non-profits and well-known museums, the event gathers around 30 participating organizations to give the public a hands-on look at their cultural work.

Launched in 2024, HistoEx serves as the flagship project for Dekada ng Kasaysayan ng Pilipinas, a decade-long initiative to deepen civic nationalism. This year’s theme is “Across Borders and Currents,” highlighting the Philippines’ place in the global community and stories of Filipinos worldwide.

Enjoying the full three days is definitely the best way to soak it all in. But if you’re working with limited time, use this complete day-by-day schedule to plan your trip to the venue:

• 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Instituto Cervantes de Manila kicks off the event with a presentation of their library services and resources.

• 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Brush up on Spanish skills with the interactive demo class at Instituto Cervantes’ booth.

• 12 p.m.. to 1 p.m.: The National Library of the Philippines presents Ate Melai with Kuwentistas for an engaging storytelling session.

• 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.: Catch the high-stakes fact-checking game show Reyal or Fakeh, where participants can win up to P5,000 in cash and NHCP merch by calling out fake history.

• 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.: The official Grand Opening leads straight into the HistoEx Talks, featuring guest speaker Joy Barcoma taking the stage at 4 p.m.

• 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.: The Philippine National Historical Society and Manila Studies Association host the official book launch of Image from the Past.

• 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Historian and columnist Manuel L. Quezon III presents a special talk titled The Three Points of No Return, hosted by Museo del Galeón.

• 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Cap off the night with peaceSaysay Live, a segment presented by Project Saysay.

• 10–11 a.m.: FamilySearch International opens the second day with a 15-minute video presentation explaining the organization’s mission of genealogy and family history tracking.

• 11 a.m.–12 noon: The Bangsamoro Commission for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage – Sulu takes the stage.

• 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.: Dive into digital history with Renacimiento Manila as they present Without AI: Renacimiento’s Digital Manila Project, a 3D reconstruction of historic Manila’s lost and endangered cityscapes.

• 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.: The National Commission for Culture and the Arts - National Committee on Historical Research hosts a lecture by Dr. Kristoffer R. Esquejo titled Ang Patakarang Panlabas ng Administrasyong Diosdado Macapagal sa Ilalim ng Period of Immobilisme.

• 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.: MuslimPH hosts an informative forum on FZD, which stands for Fiqh Zakat and Devotional Studies (or Fiqh Zakat and Da'wah).

• 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.: The NHCP hosts the second afternoon installment of HistoEx Talks.

• 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.: End the afternoon with an insider's look into presidential heritage through A Guide to Malacañang Heritage Mansions, presented by the Malacañang Heritage Mansions Management Center.

• 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.: The Philippine National Historical Society and Manila Studies Association return for the book launch of Presa by Edgar Allan Sembrano.

• 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Watch a screening of the documentary Tubabao Odyssey, presented by the Municipal Government of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.

• 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.: Museo del Galeón hosts The Baul Mundo: Show & Tell, featuring historical artifacts and trade stories.

• 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.: NHCP takes over the main stage for the rest of the afternoon, starting with the elimination round of the KASiklaban '26 History Quiz Show at 1 p.m. The stage then shifts to the final stretch of HistoEx Talks, headlined at 4 p.m. by theater star Gab Pangilinan. Finally, NHCP returns to the quiz show stage at 5 p.m. for the KASiklaban Finals to crown this year's history champions.

Aside from the scheduled talks and activities on the main stage, HistoEx 2026 will also feature all-day booth experiences and activities you can participate in at any time you visit.

• Project Saysay, Inc.: Drop by their booth for daily activities, including Baybayin natin! from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon, and Sybilla Cumana from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

• Museo del Galeón: Test your memory skills with an all-day trivia challenge (How Well Do You Know Your History?) running at their booth from 10 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily.

• NHCP Bulacan Museum Cluster: Walk through a dedicated exhibit titled Plaridel: The Pillar of Filipino Conscience.

• Ministry on the Cultural Heritage of the Church: View the special online exhibit PIRA-PIRASO: Isang Sulyap-Alaala sa Ereksyon ng Diyosesis ng Imus on Day 1.

Two of the most popular activities of HistoEx 2026 are the games Reyal or Fakeh and KASiklaban 2026: The Open History Quiz Show. If you want a shot at cash prizes, make sure to reserve your slot ahead of time.

Returning for its third year, the fact-checking game Reyal or Fakeh tests how quickly you can separate historical fact from viral fiction. Participants stand a chance to take home up to P5,000 in cash alongside official NHCP merch. Plus, everyone even gets a chance to win in a live raffle. To join the fun, pre-register here.

For certified history buffs, KASiklaban is the ultimate arena. The open quiz show is accessible to students, teachers, researchers, heritage workers, and casual trivia fans alike. Winners can score cash prizes, official NHCP publications, and exclusive souvenir items. Registration is conducted online and closes on Wednesday, July 23 at 11:59 p.m. Slots for the elimination round are capped at 50 participants, with a lottery system implemented if registrations exceed the cap.

HistoEx 2026 is happening at the Music Hall, SM Mall of Asia, Seaside Boulevard, Pasay City from July 27 to 29, 2026. For more information, visit the National Historical Commission of the Philippines’ Facebook page.