CEBU CITY, Philippines โ The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), in collaboration with ICOMOS Philippines, successfully conducted the Conservation Management Plan (CMP) Workshop on November 18โ19, 2025 at Summit Galleria Cebu. The two-day workshop convened heritage practitioners, planners, and partner institutions to strengthen technical and institutional capacities in the preparation and implementation of Conservation Management Plans for significant cultural properties across the country.
Throughout the workshop, participants engaged in in-depth discussions on cultural significance assessments, architectural documentation, structural analysis, archaeology, material studies, and the development of informed conservation strategies tailored to heritage sites. The program also emphasized the practical integration of CMP principles into organizational policies and decision-making processes, promoting a sustainable and evidence-based approach to heritage management.
The workshop was enriched by a distinguished panel of experts from the fields of architecture, conservation, archaeology, and heritage science. Ar. Kenneth Javier Tua, PhDโan economic scientist and heritage conservation specialist with advanced degrees in cultural landscapes, diplomacy, and agricultural scienceโ presented the Workshop Guidelines and Outline and explained the Conservation Management Plan (CMP) framework, highlighting its role in guiding stakeholders through a structured process of understanding, assessing, and managing heritage sites. He emphasized how the CMP supports national heritage laws, aligns with regional practices, strengthens UNESCO-related commitments, and fosters transparency, accountability, and collaboration among agencies, experts, and communities.
Ar. Caryn Paredes-Santillan, PhD, an expert in architectural theory, modern Asian architecture, and conservation planning with doctoral credentials from the University of Tokyo, discussed the role of comparative studies in establishing cultural significance. Her wide-ranging work on CMPs for major Philippine heritage sites such as Intramuros, San Sebastian Basilica, the Manila Central Post Office, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines offered participants a strong foundation in methodological approaches to heritage evaluation.
Architectural conservator Joselito H. Corpus, MHSP, who specializes in stone conservation, disaster risk management, and heritage policy, contributed his extensive experience from both Philippine and international institutions, including his work with the Metropolitan Museum of Artโs Cloisters and the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission. His leadership in heritage recovery efforts following major disasters in the Philippines provided participants with grounded, practical perspectives on structural assessment and conservation planning.
Cheek S. Fadriquela, PhD – an Assistant Professor at the University of Santo Tomas Graduate School and Associate Professor at the University of the Philippines Los Baรฑos, shared his expertise in the conservation of wooden built heritage. through the lens of the 7Ms of documentation. He is the current President of ICOMOS Philippines.
Archaeologist Dante Ricardo N. Manipon from the UP School of Archaeology expanded the discussion by introducing participants to the fundamentals of archaeology within development contexts. With ongoing research on Spanish-era forts and churches across the Philippines and experience in public archaeology, he guided participants in recognizing archaeological materials and understanding how discoveries can influence responsible project planning.
Ar. Carmencita Solis, a Cebuano expert in architecture, urban planning, and community-based conservation with graduate studies from the Asian Institute of Technology, discussed the critical role of architectural conditions assessment in the success of any conservation process. As a lecturer at the University of San Carlos and an active member of ICOMOS Philippinesโ ICORP (International Committee on Risk Preparedness), she offered valuable insights into documentation methods and the importance of understanding a structureโs past, present, and future conditions.
Together, these experts provided an interdisciplinary and comprehensive learning experience that deepened participantsโ understanding of heritage values, conservation processes, and management strategies. The collaborative effort between RAFI, ICOMOS Philippines, and the workshop participants marks a significant step toward strengthening heritage stewardship in the Visayas. The success of the workshop reinforces a shared commitment to preserving the cultural, historical, and architectural legacy of Philippine communities and highlights the importance of capacity-building in ensuring that heritage conservation remains informed, sustainable, and community-centered.
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