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.