Author: ICOMOS Philippines

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IN MEMORIAM: Rene Luis Mata

In Memoriam

Rene Luis S. Mata

August 25, 1953 – January 30, 2016

Arch. Rene Luis S. Mata, was a beloved educator and heritage advocate who molded a generation of practitioners in the field of architectural restoration, history and theory. He served as Assistant Professor at the University of the Philippines College of Architecture and has taught at the university since 2002.

Arch. Mata was part of the National Committee for Monuments and Sites, National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) for several terms, first in 1992, as a representative of Intramuros Administration, second in 2014 as a representative of Heritage Conservation Society and at the time of his passing, he was the incumbent Vice-Head of the said committee as individual member. Arch Mata also served as Vice President for National Affairs for ICOMOS Philippines under the presidency of Arch. Dominic Galicia. Aside from his many institutional roles, Arch. Mata was involved in several heritage conservation projects for heritage towns like Sariaya, Quezon. He also served as an expert reviewer who did World Heritage mission report for ICOMOS International for the Hidden Christian Sites in Nagasaki, Japan. More information of his publications can be found in the UPCA website.

Jojo, as colleagues will call him, graduated in 2002 as an AECI Scholar at the University of Alcala- Henares in Madrid, Spain, where he took his Masters of Architectural Restoration and Rehabilitation of Patrimony. His graduate research focused on the rehabilitation of the San Agustin Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. He received his undergraduate training in Architecture from the University of the Philippines in 1980.

He was a heritage advocate to the very end, doing an assessment of the historic train stations in Naga and Lucena for possible conservation when he succumbed to a heart atttack. He passed away doing what he enjoyed the most: protecting heritage for future generations. The testimonials of ICOMOS members Dominic Galicia, Ivan Henares, Augusto VIllalon, Patricia Santiago, Tats Rejannte Manahan and Kay Maliliong can be found below.

Jojo is survived by his parents Carmelito P. Mata and Lourdes Sevilla Mata, and his siblings Jennina Elena S. Mata-Joven, Rolando Alberto S. Mata, Ricardo Gabriel Felipe S. Mata, Raphael Vicente S. Mata and Raul Carmelo S. Mata.

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International Symposium: Seismic Retrofit of Unreinforced Masonry Heritage Churches in the Philippines

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the National Museum of the Philippines, Bakas Pilipinas, ICOMOS Philippines, and the University of Santo Tomas – Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the Tropics invite everyone to the upcoming International Symposium on “Seismic Retrofit of Unreinforced Masonry Heritage Churches in the Philippines” on January 13-14, 2016, at the National Museum of the Philippines in Ermita, Manila City.

For those interested, kindly register on or before January 7 by paying the registration fee (PHP 2,500 for professionals, PHP 1,500 for students) to ICOMOS Philippines BPI Current Account: 003271030028.

For inquiries, please send us an email at seismic.symposium2016@gmail.com or call us (63) 948 0112630 / (63) 917 5554633. Look for Ms. Sheila de la Paz.

To view the Symposium Program and List of Speakers, go to www.bakaspilipinas.wordpress.com.

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ICOMOS Philippines Statement on the death of Pamana

On 19 August 2015, the world was greeted with the shocking news of the death of Pamana, a Philippine Eagle, Pithecophaga jefferyi, released in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, in Davao Oriental, Mindanao, Philippines.  Pamana’s murder sparked outrage worldwide.

Ironically, Pamana, after surviving gunshot wounds in 2012 and being rehabilitated to good health by the Philippine Eagle Foundation, was released on 12 June 2015 in Mt. Hamiguitan as part of Philippine Independence Day Celebrations, with Pamana’s release a symbol of the country’s right to fly free again. Pamana’s freedom was short-lived, once again cut short by gunshot wounds.

Pamana is the Filipino word for Heritage.  Pamana’s death diminishes us all. As a species found only in the Philippines, Pamana is not only a national treasure of the Philippines, but it is part of the world’s living heritage as well.  Thus, if the Philippine Eagle goes extinct, it is not only the Filipino people’s loss but humanity’s loss as well; if it goes extinct, the world will never see a Philippine Eagle fly majestically ever again.  Ensuring that Philippine Eagles do not go extinct is a global responsibility.

Pamana’s death is laden with ironies: surviving gunshot wounds and being shot again to death inside a declared Wildlife Sanctuary and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where we supposed it would live the rest of its natural life in safety and security. We were wrong.  Philippine Eagles need more than a physically secure place to live in. Given their precarious state, they need human understanding that they are better off left alone.  We should commit to providing conditions that would ensure that they are left alone and unmolested.

ICOMOS Philippines stands in solidarity with the Philippine Eagle Foundation, the Biodiversity Management Bureau of  DENR, or the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Filipino people in our fight to ensure the survival of the Philippine Eagle for all humanity’s benefit.  We also realize that UNESCO World Heritage Sites, like the Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, are much more than physical monuments for humanity to enjoy, but are a living heritage that should provide sanctuary to all life found therein.  We commit to take positive action that would help ensure that the shooting of Pamana would be the last, and for Philippine Eagles to fly free.

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IDMS 2015: ICOMOS Philippines Heritage Talk Series

ICOMOS Philippines is inviting everyone to attend the ICOMOS PH Heritage Talks on Cultural Landscapes!

This heritage talk series will be on June 25 (Thursday) at the National Commission for Culture and the Arts from 6-8PM. This is open to the public and FREE of charge.

Kindly send us a message if you are interested to join us and we will reserve you a seat. Thank you and we hope to see you all!

#icomosph #ncca #culturallandscapes #heritagetrees #idms

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Augusto Villalon: A History of ICOMOS & ICOMOS Philippines

In this segment of ICOMOS Philppines’ celebration of 50 years of ICOMOS, Architect Augusto Villalon breaks down the membership composition of ICOMOS which covers a wide range of professions and relates the humble beginnings of ICOMOS and ICOMOS Philippines and its place in the field of world heritage.

(Second in a Series of 5)

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IDMS 2015: Celebrating ICOMOS’ 50th Year

Members of ICOMOS Philippines who were present at our celebration of the 50th Anniversary of ICOMOS on ICOMOS Day.

Members and friends of ICOMOS Philippines celebrated ICOMOS’ 50th year at the Calvo Building in historic Escolta, Manila last April 18, 2015 during the International Day of Monuments and Sites (IDMS).

Of the members of ICOMOS, Architect Dominic Galicia, ICOMOS Philippines’ newly elected president, has this to say, “Although many are architects, archaeologists, engineers, archivists, and museum administrators, there are also lawyers, writers, tourism professionals, cultural networkers, and photographers. They are all united by their experience and expertise in whatever field they are in, and the impact they have had on conservation and culture. They are also all united by collegiality and respect for the opinion of the other, even if it may vary from yours. The opinions may differ, but the dialogue abides.”

Watch the full opening address below and in Dominic Galicia’s website