Paul John Hernandez

Background

About Paul John Hernandez

PJ is a professional educator, cultural worker, textbook & module writer, and youth development advocate. Since 2015, he has been teaching Humanities and Social Sciences courses at Colegio San Agustin-Makati. He has co-written and published different Social Studies textbooks under Rex Publishing House, heritage research and articles, and self-learning cultural modules under the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). As an advocate for Filipino history, culture, and the arts, he founded "The Traveling Salakot.” It is a significant movement that promotes, protects, and enriches Philippine heritage and history. This initiative is now a partner of the Rizal Park Luneta under NPDC and some of its projects received international funding and support. Additionally, PJ is also an active member of the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) and the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Philippines. PJ was honored as one of the Outstanding UNESCO Young Professionals in 2017 by the United Nations Educational Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) National Commission and NAUCP, Inc. He also received the “Heavenly Culture, World Peace and Restoration of Light (HWPL) Award for Community Service” in 2015 in Seoul, South Korea. His efforts and initiatives were also recognized by the Local Government of Meycauayan, Bulacan where he became the inaugural recipient of the Gat Ciriaco Contreras Leadership Award in 2020. He was also one of the Leadership and Democracy (LEAD) Fellows of the YouthLed program of the Asia Foundation and the United States Agency for International Development, Inc. In 2023, he was also chosen as the "Teacher’s Month Honoree" of the Salute to the Clean Flag Movement in partnership with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the National Parks Development Committee. Last March 2024, PJ was inducted as one of the Knights of Rizal in the International Headquarters of the Order of Knights of Rizal in Manila, highlighting his contributions to promoting Filipino culture and history and the mission & values of Dr. Jose Rizal.