Month: July 2025

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ICOMOS PH Holds 2025 General Assembly, Strengthens Commitment to Cultural Heritage Conservation

Pasay, Philippines – ICOMOS Philippines held its annual General Assembly (GA) on 12th July 2025 at the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Theater Lounge, Pasay City, Metro Manila. This yearly event gathers together the ICOMOS Philippines’ Board of Trustees, Committee Officers, and expert members to review their own respective efforts towards heritage conservation and protection, and to understand the organization’s operations, financials, and future actions. This year’s General Assembly, hosted by LAr. Gabriel Caballero, was conducted through a hybrid setup that allowed both in-person and online participation.

The reports from the Board of Trustees and Officers began with the President’s report. Dr. Cheek Fadriquela, ICOMOS President/Chairman, highlighted the key accomplishments of the ICOMOS over the year, including the conclusion of the Heritage Emergency Fund (HEF) project under UNESCO. Additionally, the future initiatives and programs were also mentioned, including the participation of the organization in the upcoming History Month activities at the GSIS. Dr. Fadriquela also welcomed the new eight (8) members of ICOMOS from different cities in the country. The ICOMOS President also highlighted a breakthrough meeting with the Bangsamoro Commission for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage (BCPCH), further extending the capabilities of ICOMOS PH to the south of the Philippines.  The presentation of Dr. Fadriquela was followed by the Corporate Secretary.  Ms. Lilia Rosa “Tats” Rejante-Manahan, the corporate secretary of ICOMOS Philippines, assured the members of the board with her Corporate Secretary’s Report as she highlighted the smooth processing of various compliance requirements, including the mayor’s permit, barangay clearance, SSS, Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth, and the BIR transfer-out process. She emphasized that there were no outstanding issues in these areas, as well as with the board resolutions by the board of trustees that have contributed to a more efficient organizational workflow. With this, she looks forward to the continuous cooperation of the board in the coming years. She also gave a brief presentation on the International Scientific Committee on Shared Built Heritage, wherein she highlighted her experience in the Southeast Asian Panel in Portugal. There, she presented how Filipino artists depict the complexion of saints and their attire through the local tradition of “Encarnador.” The positive response she received deepened her commitment to contribute, promote, and support shared built heritage where dialogue, collaboration, and mutual recognition of culture remain possible. 

ICOMOS Philippines’ Vice President Caroline “Mylene” Marie Lising, as the Honorary Consul of Georgia, showed the richness of Georgia in terms of cultural heritage and highlighted how the country effectively manages its cultural heritage sites. For her, these efforts could also serve as an inspiration for heritage conservation initiatives in the Philippines, considering that a Georgia study tour is being planned for ICOMOS members. Meanwhile, Ar. Harvey Vasquez, the treasurer of ICOMOS Philippines, gave the members an overview of finances for the year 2024, wherein he highlighted the reduced expenses for this year and the anticipated arrival of the first tranche of funding for the Kabilin project. Moreover, he expressed hopes of generating income through the continuation of previously launched workshops such as “Enherit and “Photogrammetry.” In that way, a more sustainable support can be established that is beyond grants. Thus, he invited the members to participate and support these projects, as these reinforce ICOMOS Philippines’ identity as a membership-driven organization. 

Presented also at the assembly was “Project KABILIN,” a current partnership with the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. towards heritage conservation, with a focus on Cebuano culture. Key ICOMOS members are involved in the project, such as Ar. Kenneth Tua as the Kabilin Chief Project Officer, Dr. Laya Boquiren-Gonzales as the Project Director for the project of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Santo Niño (ICHSN), LAr. Gabriel Caballero as the PAMANA 2030: Mobilizing Philippine Heritage for Sustainable Development (MPHSD) Project Director, and Mr. Joselito “JC” Corpus as the project director of Disaster Risk Management of Cultural Heritage (DRMCH). This represents the commitment of ICOMOS Philippines to leveraging Philippine heritage conservation at the highest standard. 

The Committee Officers also presented the latest organizational progress. Mr. Abdulbasir Endong, the Heritage Affairs Officer and Secretariat, showed the overview of engagement metrics, platform performance, and also the content strategy efforts of the organization. Meanwhile, the Membership Officer, Mr. Jan-Michael Cayme, shared updates regarding the significant increase in the organization’s membership, which currently has 81 members. 

The GA also featured reports from expert members on their commitment to various International Scientific Committees, which includes the International Scientific Committee on Risk Preparedness (ICORP), International Scientific Committee on 20th Century Heritage (ISC20C), International Scientific Committee on Fortifications and Military Heritage (ICOFORT), International Cultural Tourism Committee (ICTC), International  Committee on Archaeological Heritage Management (ICAHM), International Education and Training Committee (CIF), International Scientific Committee on Shared Built Heritage (ICSBH), and Theory and Philosophy of Conservation and Restoration (TheoPhilos). This part of the program encourages members to join the International Scientific Committees as part of their privilege in joining ICOMOS. 

The 2025 General Assembly reflects ICOMOS Philippines’ continuous commitment to promote the conservation, protection, use, and enhancement of cultural heritage sites through its projects, partnerships, and committees—most notably the newly launched ICORP. The assembly provides an avenue for deeper collaboration among members across various areas through project involvement, participation, practice, research, policy development, and adoption. Above all, it acts as a bridge for future initiatives aimed at advancing conservation efforts.

#ICOMOSPhilippines #2025GeneralAssemblyPhilippines

Abdulbasir B. Endong (ICOMOS PH Heritage Affairs Officer) Contributors: Isabela Dansel Cruz, Romina Red Padilla, Juliana Marie Gaballo, Jenella Anne Castillo (ICOMOS PH Interns)

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ICOMOS Philippines and BCPCH-BARMM Explore Cultural Heritage Collaboration in Strategic Online Meeting

Metro Manila, Philippines — The International Council on Monuments and Sites Philippines (ICOMOS PH) and the Bangsamoro Commission for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage (BCPCH-BARMM) successfully held a strategic online meeting on July 2, 2025, marking a significant step toward deepening cooperation in safeguarding cultural heritage in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and across Mindanao.

The meeting featured presentations from both organizations, laying the groundwork for a future partnership grounded in shared values and a common vision for heritage preservation.

Dr. Cheek S. Fadriquela, President and Chairman of ICOMOS Philippines, opened the session by presenting the background, mission, and mandate of ICOMOS PH, underscoring the organization’s commitment to heritage conservation in alignment with global standards and UNESCO frameworks.

Following this, Mr. Joselito Corpus, Project Director of KABILIN: DRMCH and ICORP Philippines head gave an overview of the International Scientific Committee on Risk Preparedness (ICORP). He was followed by Mr. Ruhollah Alonto, ICORP Regional Representative for BARMM and Mindanao, who shared insights on heritage preservation efforts in Lanao del Sur, highlighting local initiatives and the challenges faced in conflict-affected heritage areas.

From the BCPCH side, Dr. Salem Y. Lingasa, Chairperson of the Commission, briefly introduced the mandate of BCPCH, emphasizing its role in documenting, preserving, and promoting the diverse cultural heritage of the Bangsamoro people. This was followed by Ms. Alesa Krista Valensoy, Community Affairs Officer III, who provided a more detailed presentation on the structure and functions of BCPCH-BARMM, paving the way for possible institutional collaboration.

Other BCPCH staff in attendance included Mr. Glenn Francis Lanticse (Bangsamoro Curator), Ms. Esnaira Salem (Senior History Researcher), Ms. Juhara Dilangalen (Accountant III), Mr. Aaron-Jeff Usman (Community Affairs Officer V), and other dedicated members of the BCPCH team, who also actively participated in the discussion.

The meeting concluded with both organizations expressing their intent to formalize the partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which is expected to be drafted by the end of the month. The MoU will outline areas of collaboration such as joint research, technical training, risk preparedness, and community-based heritage management.

This collaboration signals a strong beginning toward a meaningful and long-term partnership aimed at empowering heritage workers and institutions in the Bangsamoro region, with guidance and leadership from the ICORP Scientific Committee.

Dr. Lingasa likewise expressed BCPCH’s openness to joint projects and partnerships that would amplify the cultural identity and pride of the Bangsamoro people through inclusive, culturally sensitive, and professionally guided conservation practices.

This joint effort reflects a shared commitment to building resilient and inclusive approaches to heritage management in the region, aligned with national priorities and international standards.