Board of Trustees and the Secretariat

 Executive Officers

Ar. Ramil B. Tibayan, Chairman / President

Ramil is an architect, educator, and heritage conservation professional with extensive experience in architectural history, theory, and cultural heritage conservation. He currently serves as a lecturer and Course Coordinator for Architectural History, Theory, and Heritage Conservation at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) College of Architecture.

Prior to his academic role, he served as Head of the Cultural Properties Conservation Division of the Intramuros Administration, an attached agency of the Department of Tourism, where he was involved in the conservation and management of the Philippines’ built heritage. He also previously worked with Design Coordinates, Incorporated, focusing on construction project management, and taught at the Far Eastern University – Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts.

Ar. Tibayan is actively engaged in the heritage conservation field at both the national and international levels. He currently serves as a Member of the Panel of Experts for Architectural Heritage Conservation of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and as an Expert Member of the International Scientific Committee on Twentieth-Century Modern Heritage (ISC20C) of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). He also serves as a Trustee of ICOMOS Philippines, contributing to the organization’s programs and initiatives in heritage conservation, advocacy, and professional development.

He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture and Master’s Degree in Cultural Heritage Studies from the Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas in Manila. In June 2009, he ranked first in the Philippine Licensure Examination for Architects, demonstrating academic and professional excellence early in his career.

His professional development includes specialized training in heritage conservation with the Getty Conservation Institute and Think City Malaysia, particularly in the conservation and management of historic districts. In 2021, he further completed the Conserving Modern Architecture course offered by the Getty Conservation Institute, strengthening his expertise in the documentation, conservation, and management of modern architectural heritage.

 

Ms. Beverly M. Bautista, Vice President 

Beverly a cultural heritage professional, conservation practitioner, and heritage program coordinator with extensive experience in cultural heritage mapping, conservation planning, capacity building, and heritage-related project management. She currently serves as the Acting Director of the University of Santo Tomas Graduate School – Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the Tropics (USTGS-CCCPET), where she plays a key role in advancing cultural heritage conservation initiatives and strengthening heritage-related partnerships and programs.

As part of her work with USTGS-CCCPET, Bautista facilitates and coordinates cultural heritage mapping seminars, workshops, and capacity-building programs for local government units and educational institutions throughout the Philippines. Through these initiatives, she has contributed to the documentation, understanding, and promotion of cultural heritage while supporting communities and institutions in developing more informed and sustainable approaches to heritage conservation.

She currently serves as Technical Coordinator for the Heritage Impact Assessment of the North–South Railway Extension Project of the Philippine National Railways, as well as for the World Bank–Department of Tourism Multi-Hazard Vulnerability Assessment of Philippine Built Heritage Structures. Her work in these projects involves coordinating technical activities and stakeholders toward the assessment, protection, and sustainable management of cultural heritage in the context of infrastructure development and disaster risk.

Bautista has also coordinated and supported numerous major national and international heritage conferences, training programs, and capacity-building initiatives. These include the Biennial National Convention for Church Heritage Workers, Conference on Cultural Heritage Mapping, Training on Culture-Based Governance for Local Government Units in the Philippines, International Conference on University Museums and Collections, and the APHEN-ICH International Field School in the Philippines. Her involvement in these programs has contributed to knowledge exchange, professional development, and the strengthening of cultural heritage networks in the country.

Beyond her technical and program coordination responsibilities, Bautista serves as Finance Coordinator and Technical Assistant to the Episcopal Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and to the Board of Trustees of the Nayong Pilipino Foundation. These roles reflect her broad experience in administrative, financial, technical, and institutional coordination within the cultural heritage sector.

She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Rizal System–Angono and further developed her specialization in cultural heritage through her participation in the APHEN-ICH International Field School at the Korea National University of Cultural Heritage. She subsequently completed her Master of Arts in Education, major in Arts Management, at La Consolacion University Philippines under the National Commission for Culture and the Arts–Philippine Cultural Education Program (NCCA-PCEP) Scholarship for Filipino Cultural Heritage Workers.

Her master’s thesis, “Promoting Cultural Education Through Collaboration in Cultural Mapping Activities: A Documentation,” examines the role of collaborative, local government-led cultural mapping initiatives in promoting cultural education. The study underscores the importance of long-term planning, transformative leadership, and multidisciplinary collaboration in strengthening sustainable cultural education and heritage conservation efforts within communities.

Through her work in heritage documentation, technical coordination, capacity building, and institutional development, Bautista continues to contribute to the advancement of community-based cultural heritage conservation and education in the Philippines

 

Timothy Augustus Ong, Corporate Secretary

Timothy is an architect, cultural heritage specialist, and researcher whose practice focuses on the conservation of the built environment in hot-humid and tropical climates. His work and research explore the complexities of tropicality and tropical architecture, particularly how these ideas persist and evolve within physical spaces, architectural environments, and collective memory.

His practice extends into the field of digital humanities, where he employs virtual documentation, digital technologies, and other emerging techniques to investigate, interpret, and communicate Philippine cultural heritage. Alongside this, he has developed a growing specialization in industrial heritage and archaeology, undertaking research on understudied, overlooked, and neglected structures, sites, and ruins across the Philippine archipelago. Through these areas of practice, he contributes to expanding the scope of heritage conservation beyond traditionally recognized monuments and historic sites.

With more than a decade of professional experience, Ar. Ong has participated in the conservation and documentation of significant Philippine landmarks, including the Manila Metropolitan Theater and the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. His work combines architectural practice, heritage research, documentation, and conservation, with particular attention to the cultural, historical, and material dimensions of the built environment.

He earned his Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of the Philippines, graduating magna cum laude in 2016. In 2023, he completed the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree (EMJMD) in Architecture, Landscape, and Archaeology at Sapienza University of Rome, becoming the only Filipino graduate of the program. He further strengthened his expertise in heritage conservation as the only Filipino Graduate Intern at the Getty Conservation Institute, where he worked with the Conserving Modern Architecture Initiative in 2024.

Ar. Ong is actively involved in professional heritage organizations at both the national and international levels. He currently serves as Vice-President for Research of the Heritage Conservation Society of the Philippines and as Communication Officer of ICOMOS Philippines (2026–). Within ICOMOS, he is affiliated with the International Scientific Committee on Twentieth-Century Heritage (ISC20C), International Committee on Risk Preparedness (ICORP), and International Committee on Documentation (CIPA), including CIPA Emerging Professionals. He is also a member of The International Committee for the Conservation of the Industrial Heritage (TICCIH) and the Asian Network of Industrial Heritage (ANIH).

Through his interdisciplinary practice, Ar. Ong continues to advance the understanding and conservation of Philippine architectural and industrial heritage, bridging architecture, archaeology, digital technologies, research, and heritage conservation to engage with both the tangible and intangible dimensions of the built environment.

 

Mr. Phillip Norbert Ahmad L. Medina, Treasurer

Phil  is a public relations professional, cultural worker, historian, and Filipiniana book collector with a strong interest in Philippine history, religious heritage, and community-based cultural preservation. He also serves as a part-time Faculty of History at De La Salle University–Dasmariñas, where he contributes to the academic study and appreciation of Philippine history and culture.

As a cultural worker, Medina is actively involved in heritage organizations and community-based historical initiatives. He currently serves as a Trustee and Vice President of the Cavite Historical Society and as President of the Silang Historical Society. He is also a member of ICOMOS Philippines and the Museum Foundation of the Philippines, Inc., and serves as Assistant Lay-Coordinator for the Diocesan Ministry on Cultural Heritage of the Church of the Diocese of Imus. In addition, he has been appointed as a Regional Researcher for the Association of the Catholic Shrines in the Philippines, further contributing to the documentation and study of religious and ecclesiastical heritage.

His research interests encompass a broad range of fields, including church history, art history, religious culture and practices, curatorial practices, and grassroots heritage work. His work is particularly grounded in the importance of local histories, community participation, and the preservation of cultural traditions and material heritage.

Medina has been invited as a heritage speaker at universities, local government units, and regional symposia, sharing his knowledge and research with academic and community audiences. His engagements have included invitations and collaborations with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), Provincial Government of Cavite, and the Cavite Studies Center.

Through his professional and cultural work, Medina brings together public relations, historical research, heritage advocacy, collecting, and community engagement. His continued involvement in historical societies, academic institutions, religious heritage initiatives, and cultural organizations reflects his commitment to strengthening public appreciation of Philippine history and safeguarding the country’s diverse cultural heritage.

Ar. Giuseppe Luigi H. Abcede, Board Trustee / Spokesperson

Gio is a licensed architect, heritage conservation practitioner, and construction project management professional. He currently works in Construction Project Management at D.A. Abcede & Associates and is the founder of Portal Design Studio, where he undertakes projects in heritage + design consultancy and graphic design.

Gio earned his Bachelor of Science in Architecture from De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde. His professional practice brings together architecture, project management, heritage conservation, design, and visual communication, with a particular interest in the intersection of contemporary design and cultural heritage.

He currently serves as President of the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) of the Philippines and as an officer of the Philippine Green Building Initiative (PGBI). He is also involved in the Southeast Asian Cultural Heritage Alliance (SEACHA), where he serves as a youth representative and officer. Within the international heritage community, he is an Associate Member of ICOMOS Philippines, contributing to initiatives that promote the integration of heritage conservation with sustainable development.

Prior to his current roles, Gio worked as an Architectural Designer at One/Zero Design Co. He also served as a Research and Development Officer at Digiscript Philippines, Inc., where he worked on the development and design of virtual tours for various cultural heritage sites, contributing to the use of digital technologies in heritage interpretation and public engagement.

From 2021 to 2023, Gio served as a partner designer for fundraising initiatives of the San Sebastian Basilica Conservation & Development Foundation, Inc., supporting efforts dedicated to the conservation and sustainability of the historic San Sebastian Basilica.

His multidisciplinary experience allows him to bridge architectural practice, project management, digital technologies, sustainability, and heritage advocacy in advancing the conservation of Philippine cultural heritage.

The Secretariat

Mr. Abdulbasir B. Endong, Heritage Affairs Officer

Bash is a heritage professional, communications practitioner, and public servant whose work brings together cultural heritage, public service, communications, and program administration. He currently serves as the Heritage Affairs Officer of ICOMOS Philippines, where he supports the Board of Trustees in carrying out its functions, oversees administrative and coordination matters, and assists in the management and implementation of the organization’s programs and projects.

Prior to joining ICOMOS Philippines, Bash served for more than three years as an Information and Communications Officer at the Bangsamoro Information and Communications Technology Office (BICTO). In this capacity, he was involved in developing communication strategies, producing information and advocacy materials, managing digital platforms, and supporting various ICT programs and initiatives of the Bangsamoro Government. His work allowed him to engage with government institutions, communities, and cultural workers in communicating programs and stories that reflect the identity and aspirations of the Bangsamoro.

His interest in cultural heritage and storytelling began early in his career. He was involved in cultural documentation and creative production initiatives, including serving as a resident researcher and scriptwriter for the Technical Working Group of the Inaul Festival Governor’s Night, where he contributed to documenting and presenting the diverse cultures and traditions of the province. During his secondary education, he also served as a resident researcher for his school’s team in the Doon Po Sa Amin video-making competition, highlighting the history, culture, and distinctive character of his local community. He later contributed as a scriptwriter and technical committee member for the Koryo Mindanao cultural event in Koronadal, South Cotabato.

Bash has also worked alongside cultural practitioners and heritage advocates in developing cultural stories, narratives, and communication materials, using his background in communications to help make heritage more accessible to wider audiences. His experience in government communications, creative production, administrative coordination, and heritage-related work has provided him with a multidisciplinary perspective on how cultural heritage can be documented, communicated, and integrated into broader development and public engagement initiatives.

At ICOMOS Philippines, he is particularly involved in organizational coordination, project administration, communications, documentation, and stakeholder engagement, supporting programs that advance heritage conservation and professional collaboration in the Philippines. His current work also includes coordination for initiatives under the Kabilin Partnership Program, involving heritage conservation, cultural documentation, and sustainable development.

With a background that bridges public service, communications, cultural documentation, and heritage administration, Bash continues to contribute to the development and promotion of Philippine cultural heritage while advocating for meaningful community participation and accessible heritage communication.