Month: March 2023

Posted on

Statement of Significance for the Pasig River by ICOMOS Philippines

In the last quarter of 2021, International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Philippines, together with the Advocates for Heritage Preservation (AHP), organized Pamanang Pasig, a heritage impact assessment of the  Pasig River Expressway (PAREX) on the Pasig River. The PAREX is a 19.37 kilometer, 6-lane expressway to be constructed over the river.

More than a dozen speakers discussed the Pasig River’s historical, aesthetic, and social significance, and the potential impact the PAREX would have on these values. Experts also discussed its impacts on traffic, disaster risk management, public health and the ecology. The series ended with alternate uses for Metro Manila’s river heritage, and global examples of sustainable development of urban rivers. Recordings of the discussions may be viewed here ➡️ Pamanang Pasig

This Statement of Significance for the Pasig River is based in part on those experts’ input, research, including a statement by the the Tuklas Pilipinas Society, Inc. and the Kapisanan ng mga Arkeologist sa Pilipinas (KAPI).

To this day, despite its role in the formation and development of Tagalog culture and history, the Pasig River remains undeclared as a heritage site. ICOMOS Philippines recommends that the National Government revisit the several petitions to declare Pasig River as a National Cultural Treasure.

See Pasig River Statement of Significance (SoS)

See KAPI and Tuklas Pilipinas Society’s statement on the Pasig River in Archaeology and Early History

Cover of the Statement of Significance for the Pasig River by ICOMOS Philippines

For more information on ICOMOS Philippines ➡️ https://philippines.icomos.org

#ICOMOS #ICOMOSPH #PamanangPasig #PasigRiver #NationalCulturalTreasure #NoToPAREX

Posted on

ICOMOS Philippines joins NCCA in promoting National Heritage Month

ICOMOS Philippines reaffirms its commitment to advance heritage conservation and management in the country through its participation at the Inter-Agency Meeting of cultural organisations called by the National Commission on Culture and Arts (NCCA) on February 28. 

This year’s National Heritage Month theme is “Change and Continuity,”  shared values that ICOMOS Philippines upholds in all its programs and activities that promote cultural heritage as a tool and driver of development.

According to the NCCA, the theme aims to highlight the potential of cultural heritage in enhancing social capital, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.

The celebration, which happens every May, also seeks to showcase the benefits, impacts, and growth opportunities produced by heritage science research and innovation; promote advocacies; and encourage participation in programs that safeguard intangible and urban cultural heritage.

Posted on

ICOMOS Philippines, UA&P team up to amplify heritage issues in National Arts Month

In line with the celebration of National Arts Month in February, ICOMOS Philippines’ Treasurer Erik Akpedonu led the discussion on “Renegotiating Philippine Heritage,” an event organised by the University of Asia & the Pacific’s (UA&P) College of Arts and Science held on February 28.

The lecture met its objectives after helping the participants with the following:

  • Identify Philippine artistic heritage with emphasis on different categories of cultural properties and their aesthetic values
  • Examine the parameters of significance that explain why cultural properties are important Philippine artistic legacies
  • Analyse the role of the colonial experience in shaping how heritage is understood, collected, conserved, presented, and interpreted
  • Investigate social, historical, and cultural transformations and issues that affect Philippine artistic heritage
  • Determine how stakeholders in artistic heritage are participating in conservation and preservation efforts and why it is significant

Mr. Akpedonu also discussed the lack of architectural heritage appreciation evident in basic and higher education curricula, and the steps heritage advocates must take to raise awareness and understanding among students and youth.

Dozens of UA&P faculty members, staff, students, and guests outside the institution joined the on-site activity, with many expressing interest in joining future learning sessions focused on cultural heritage management and conservation.