Partnerships – ICOMOS Philippines

July 31, 2026July 31, 2026

𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐊𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧: 𝐏𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬

Participants and organizers gather at The Kabilin Center in Barangay Tinago, Cebu City, on July 30, 2026, for the launch and opening ceremony of the Philippines’ first National Training Course on Disaster Risk Management for Cultural Heritage under the Kabilin Partnership Program. – **PHOTO COURTESY OF THE KABILIN CENTER**

THE KABILIN CENTER, CEBU CITY–A significant milestone in strengthening the protection of the Philippines’ cultural heritage against disasters officially commenced yesterday with the launch of the Bantay Kabilin: Pilot Training Program on Disaster Risk Management for Cultural Heritage (DRMCH) under the Kabilin Partnership Program of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) in partnership with the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Philippines and with the support of the Japan Foundation in Manila.

Implemented through the Kabilin Partnership Program, the first-ever training in the country brings together representatives from local government units, heritage practitioners, museums, cultural institutions, churches, disaster risk reduction and management offices, civil society organizations, and community partners to develop a shared commitment toward safeguarding cultural heritage before, during, and after disasters.

As the country’s oldest city and one of its foremost centers of history, faith, and culture, Cebu City is home to centuries-old churches, historic landmarks, traditional communities, museums, and heritage districts that embody the rich story of the Filipino people. However, these invaluable cultural assets continue to face increasing threats from earthquakes, typhoons, flooding, fire, and the impacts of rapid urbanization. While disaster response systems have steadily improved over the years, cultural heritage protection has often remained outside mainstream disaster risk management planning. Recognizing this gap, the Bantay Kabilin Pilot Training Program seeks to equip local stakeholders with the knowledge, practical skills, and collaborative networks necessary to effectively protect heritage resources in times of crisis.

The initiative is made possible through the Strategic Initiative Grant of the North and Central Portfolio of the RAFI, reflecting the Foundation’s longstanding commitment to conserving Cebu’s cultural legacy.

Developed in partnership with the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Philippines, the training combines internationally recognized conservation principles with community-based disaster risk management approaches tailored to the local context of Cebu. The program strengthens collaboration among local government units, emergency responders, church administrators, museum professionals, heritage advocates, and development partners to ensure that cultural heritage becomes an integral component of resilience planning.

Beyond technical capacity building, the pilot training seeks to cultivate a culture of shared stewardship by reinforcing that protecting cultural heritage is also protecting identity, collective memory, and community resilience.

The opening program gathered key leaders, heritage experts, and development partners who reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening disaster resilience for cultural heritage in the Philippines.

Opening the program, Ar. Kenneth Javier Tua, PhDAgSci, Chief Project Officer of the Kabilin Partnership Program, emphasized that Cebu City’s rich historical and cultural landscape makes it an ideal venue for piloting the national training course. He encouraged participants to work collectively in protecting heritage from growing disaster risks through preparedness, collaboration, and shared responsibility. He likewise expressed his appreciation to RAFI, ICOMOS Philippines, the Japan Foundation in Manila, the Kabilin Center, and the various partner institutions whose support made the initiative possible.

Representing ICOMOS Philippines, Ar. Giuseppe Luigi H. Abcede delivered the partners’ message, highlighting the importance of collaboration among heritage organizations, government institutions, technical experts, and local communities in translating internationally recognized conservation principles into meaningful local action. He reaffirmed ICOMOS Philippines’ commitment to supporting initiatives that build resilient heritage communities and strengthen professional capacity in cultural heritage conservation.

Delivering the keynote address, Ms. Amaya Cristina A. Fansler, President and Chief Executive Officer of RAFI, emphasized that protecting cultural heritage must go hand in hand with disaster risk reduction and climate resilience. She highlighted the importance of aligning international standards with local realities and underscored the value of partnerships among government, heritage professionals, communities, and development organizations. She concluded by encouraging participants to build lasting networks and shared commitment toward a more resilient future for Philippine cultural heritage.

The opening program also introduced the learning journey that participants will undertake over the succeeding weeks.

Ar. King Rosales, Project Lead and Focal Point, presented an overview of the Bantay Kabilin: DRMCH Pilot Program, outlining its objectives, structure, and expected outcomes. This was followed by Mr. Joselito H. Corpus, Project Director of Kabilin: DRMCH, who discussed the overall program framework, learning methodology, and participant journey throughout the training. The Bantay Kabilin: DRMCH Pilot Program marks the beginning of a long-term effort to establish a nationally recognized training model that integrates cultural heritage conservation with disaster risk management. Through sustained collaboration among RAFI, ICOMOS Philippines, government agencies, heritage institutions, and local communities, the initiative aims to strengthen the country’s capacity to safeguard its irreplaceable cultural heritage while building more resilient communities for future generations.

July 29, 2026

𝗣𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝟮𝟬𝟯𝟬: 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗞𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽

SD Training 01: Basics of Heritage and Sustainable Development

13 to 15 August 2025 | The Kabilin Center, Cebu City

ICOMOS Philippines and the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. conducted the first Sustainable Development Training under the Pamana 2030: Mobilizing Philippine Heritage as a Driver and Enabler of Sustainable Development initiative. Held at The Kabilin Center in Cebu City, the training brought together RAFI teams, ICOMOS Philippines, heritage workers, and development partners to build a common understanding of how cultural heritage can support sustainable development.

The sessions introduced participants to the wider role of culture and heritage in development work. Discussions looked at how heritage is connected to social inclusion, local economies, environmental care, community resilience, and identity. Participants also engaged with national and international frameworks, including the Sustainable Development Goals, the Philippine Development Plan, inputs from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the UNESCO Culture 2030 Indicators.

Through lectures, case studies, and group discussions, the training helped show that heritage is not only something to protect or preserve. It can also help communities respond to present needs and plan for the future. Examples from tourism, community mapping, disaster risk management, and heritage management showed how culture can be linked to practical concerns on the ground.

This first training laid the groundwork for the succeeding MPHSD activities. It helped participants move from a general understanding of heritage and sustainability toward a clearer view of how heritage work can be documented, measured, and connected to planning. It also helped establish the shared direction that would later guide the development of indicators and assessment tools under Pamana 2030.

Supporting agencies and representatives:

DepDev / national development planning input: Lester Owen Go, Chief Economic Development Specialist, DepDev Development Research Division

NCCA: Jesuben Angel S. Bongolan, Head of the Regional Coordination Unit, NCCA Planning and Policy Office

CIT-U: Engr. Erlyn Ivy O. Rago, Head of the Student Success Office, Cebu Institute of Technology – University

RAFI / Kabilin Partnership: Kenneth Javier Tua, Chief Project Officer, Kabilin Partnership

RAFI: Christian Anuta, Director, Program Excellence Group

SMEs / resource persons / facilitators:

Andrew Mason, WSP Canada Inc., ICOMOS SDGWG Member (Canada), Task Team on Heritage Evaluation Criteria and Indicators
Chen Mencias, ICOMOS Philippines SDGWG Member and former NEDA Stakeholders Chamber Representative for ICOMOS Philippines
Maria Lourdes ‘Joy’ Martinez Onozawa, ICOMOS Philippines SDGWG Member and Subject Matter Expert
Gabriel Caballero, MPHSD Project Director
Carmencita Solis, ICOMOS Philippines SDGWG Member and Facilitator

SD Training 02 Module 1: Designing Indicators and MOVs

22 and 29 January 2026 | Online and In-Person Sessions

Sustainable Development Training 02 Module 1 moved the discussion from general concepts of heritage and sustainable development toward the practical design of indicators and Means of Verification. Held through online and in-person sessions, the module focused on how RAFI’s heritage-related projects could be connected to national cultural policy priorities, especially the Philippine Development Plan for Culture and the Arts 2024-2029.

The sessions helped participants look at how each project could identify relevant indicators, available data sources, and possible evidence that can show culture’s contribution to sustainable development using the framework set by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. The module introduced the idea that heritage projects need clear measures and documentation so that their social, cultural, economic, and governance contributions can be better understood over time.

Participants worked through the four RAFI project components, namely Casa Gorordo Museum, The Kabilin Center, the National Training Course on Disaster Risk Management of Cultural Heritage, and the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Santo Nino Devotion. Through these discussions, project teams began matching their work with PDP-CA outcomes and identifying what kinds of data could realistically be collected from ongoing project activities.

This module became an important bridge between the first training and the later work on the UNESCO Culture 2030 Indicators. It helped prepare the teams for deeper indicator development by clarifying what can be measured, what evidence is available, and what still needs to be strengthened in the projects’ monitoring and documentation systems.

Supporting agencies and representatives:

NCCA: Jesuben Angel S. Bongolan, Head of the Regional Coordination Unit, NCCA Planning and Policy Office

SMEs / resource persons / facilitators:

Andrew Mason, WSP Canada Inc., ICOMOS SDGWG Member (Canada), Task Team on Heritage Evaluation Criteria and Indicators
Chen Mencias, ICOMOS Philippines SDGWG Member and former NEDA Stakeholders Chamber Representative for ICOMOS Philippines
Chanelle Mesjena Custorio, ICOMOS Philippines Member and Facilitator
Maria Lourdes ‘Joy’ Martinez Onozawa, ICOMOS Philippines SDGWG Member and Subject Matter Expert
Project perspective inputs included Joselito Corpuz for DRMCH, and Ador Vincent Mayol as MPHSD Project Lead

SD Training 02 Module 2: Building the Indicator Foundation

23 February and 5 March 2026 | Online and In-Person Sessions

Following the earlier discussions on heritage and sustainable development, Sustainable Development Training 02 Module 2 focused on building the indicator foundation for the MPHSD initiative. The module helped connect wider cultural monitoring frameworks with the ongoing work of RAFI, the Kabilin Partnership, and CEBloom Operations.

The sessions introduced the UNESCO Culture 2030 Indicators and explored how these could be applied to RAFI’s heritage-related projects. Building on previous discussions, participants looked at how international frameworks could help guide the process of measuring culture’s contribution to sustainable development.

One important part of the module was the discussion on Baguio City’s experience with the Culture 2030 Indicators. This example helped participants see how cultural data and heritage indicators can be used in an actual local applications. Participants also worked through RAFI’s own project data from four initiatives: Casa Gorordo Museum, The Kabilin Center, the National Training Course on Disaster Risk Management of Cultural Heritage, and the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Santo Niño Devotion.

Through breakout sessions, participants identified possible indicators, reviewed available data sources, and reflected on how each project contributes to broader development outcomes. This module marked an important step in moving from broad ideas into more practical indicator work. It helped prepare the ground for a common assessment framework that can support reporting, learning, and planning across the Kabilin Partnership.

Supporting agencies and representatives:

Baguio Culture 2030 Indicators experience: Dr. Raymond Rovillos, College President III of Pangasinan Polytechnic College and former Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Baguio

SMEs / resource persons / facilitators:

Andrew Mason, WSP Canada Inc., ICOMOS SDGWG Member (Canada), Task Team on Heritage Evaluation Criteria and Indicators
Chen Mencias, ICOMOS Philippines SDGWG Member and former NEDA Stakeholders Chamber Representative for ICOMOS Philippines
Chanelle Mesjena Custorio, ICOMOS Philippines Member and Facilitator
Maria Lourdes ‘Joy’ Martinez Onozawa, ICOMOS Philippines SDGWG Member and Subject Matter Expert
Project perspective inputs included Joselito Corpuz for DRMCH, Dr. Laya Boquiren-Gonzales for ICHSN, and Ador Vincent Mayol as MPHSD Project Lead

SD Training 02 Module 3: Consolidating and Institutionalizing the Framework

23 to 24 March 2026 | The Kabilin Center, Cebu City

Sustainable Development Training 02 Module 3 brought together the work developed in the earlier sessions and focused on consolidating the MPHSD indicator framework. Held in person at The Kabilin Center, the module gathered participants from the Kabilin Partnership, RAFI, CEBloom Operations, and ICOMOS Philippines to refine how heritage-related project outcomes could be linked to monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning.

The session focused on making the methodology more practical for long-term use. Using the inputs from the earlier modules, participants worked toward a common framework that connected local project outcomes with RAFI’s MEAL plans, while also aligning with the Philippine Development Plan for Culture and the Arts and the UNESCO Culture 2030 Indicators. This helped show how local heritage work can contribute to wider national and international development conversations.

The module also included discussions on impact scoring, policy alignment, and the updated Cultural Heritage Assessment Methodology. Case examples from the four RAFI projects helped participants test how the framework could apply to different types of heritage work, including museums, cultural facilities, training programs, and intangible cultural heritage initiatives. These discussions helped clarify how indicators could be prioritized, scored, and used for reporting and decision-making.

By the end of the module, the MPHSD work had moved closer to a working system for tracking how heritage contributes to sustainable development. The session also helped prepare the direction for the first MPHSD publication, which will continue the process of documenting, reviewing, and refining the knowledge produced through the trainings. Through this module, the Kabilin Partnership continued to show that heritage is not only cultural work, but also development work.

Supporting agencies and representatives:

RAFI / Kabilin Partnership: Kenneth Javier Tua, Chief Project Officer, Kabilin Partnership

NCCA: Jesuben Angel S. Bongolan, Head of the Regional Coordination Unit, NCCA Planning and Policy Office and Rhea Lyn H. Dela Cruz, Culture and Arts Officer, Regional Exchange Unit

SMEs / resource persons / facilitators:

Andrew Mason, WSP Canada Inc., ICOMOS SDGWG Member (Canada), Task Team on Heritage Evaluation Criteria and Indicators
Chen Mencias, ICOMOS Philippines SDGWG Member and former NEDA Stakeholders Chamber Representative for ICOMOS Philippines
Maria Lourdes ‘Joy’ Martinez Onozawa, ICOMOS Philippines SDGWG Member and Subject Matter Expert
Chanelle Mesjena Custorio, ICOMOS Philippines Member and Facilitator
Gabriel Caballero, MPHSD Project Director
Project perspective inputs included Joselito Corpuz for DRMCH, Dr. Laya Boquiren-Gonzales for ICHSN, and Ador Vincent Mayol as MPHSD Project Lead

June 26, 2026July 6, 2026

𝗨𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗖𝗢’𝘀 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱 (𝗛𝗘𝗙) 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀: 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

MANILA, Philippines — After the initial report on the damage assessment of the World Heritage Site of the Historic City of Vigan [Post-Earthquake Damage Assessment of Vernacular Building in the World Heritage City of Vigan [PEDAVBV],” UNESCO granted a Heritage Emergency Fund (HEF) for the Post-Earthquake Technical Enhancement of Standards for the Conservation and Protection of Ancestral Vernacular Houses of Vigan that was officially launched on September 14, 2023.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (11.3 MB)

The content of this report resulted from the first Heritage Emergency Fund project in the Philippines. Conservation Expert Teams were tasked to enhance repair and restoration modalities for the vernacular ancestral houses and recommend technical standards enhancement, and there were also in-kind contributions that were performed to supplement the effort towards Vigan’s recovery.

DOWNLOAD THE FULL REPORT HERE. (981.7 MB)

To access the chapter report please download each file below.

Chapter 1 of the report is called “First UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund (HEF) Project in the Philippines.” This section explains the objectives of the report, presenting the general introduction of the assignment as well as scope and project delimitations. It contains the strategic project framework on awareness raising, knowledge sharing, and collective application.

It also presents the stakeholders involved – the project management teams and expert teams’ delegation, organizational chart, calendar, and a chronological timeline of activities and milestones achieved.

DOWNLOAD CHAPTER 1 HERE. (8.3 MB)

Chapter 2 is the analytical report of the Structural engineering Conservation. This assessment included performing a comprehensive structural investigation, including material testing and characterization, evaluating the structure, and proposing a restoration design based on the evaluation results and conservation principles. Using the results of the assessment, strengthening measures and repair are proposed.

Moreover, the assessment addresses structural safety concerns for damaged areas by providing a shoring design.

DOWNLOAD CHAPTER 2 HERE. (43.6 MB)

Chapter 3 of this report documents the Architectural Conservation Analytical Report. Highlights of this section of the report are the morphological analysis of the two pilot sites. Utilizing remnant design features, and architectural and structural components, the Architectural Conservation Team was able to forensically reconstruct the evolution of the two houses: its materials, design, and construction techniques.

Comparatively, this analysis considers the typologies of Filipino houses termed Bahay na Bato to the versions found in Vigan. This study also aims to analyze the kinship networks and ownership of these houses and how that affected their massing, form, function, and use.

DOWNLOAD CHAPTER 3 HERE. (165 MB)

Chapter 4 details the analytical report on the Materials Conservation investigation of two ancestral houses, emphasizing the importance of studying construction materials for effective restoration. This ensures compatibility, minimal intervention, and reversibility while respecting original materials and ensuring security, protection, and disaster risk management.

Understanding materials helps conservators find suitable replacements. Specialists in timber and masonry conservation, along with a forester, a materials scientist, and a chemist, began their studies in October 2023, and this report presents the results from their onsite visits and lab tests.

DOWNLOAD CHAPTER 4 HERE. (213.6 MB)

Chapter 5 outlines the addendum for the Heritage Homeowner’s Manual of the Historic City of Vigan. This update incorporates suggested technical standards, assessment findings, and the assigned team’s research methodologies. To gather more data for the manual, team leader Dr. Fatima Nicetas Alonzo co-led a project with Dr. Linda Shetabi and Ms Michelle Chelsea Ho from The University of Hong Kong (HKU),

where local team members and 21 faculty facilitators from the University of Northern Philippines (UNP) guided 104 students grouped in 15 teams in documenting 15 heritage structures damaged in the July 27, 2022 earthquake.

DOWNLOAD CHAPTER 5 HERE. (42.5 MB)

Chapter 6 details the Capacity Building Program and Awareness Raising activities that took place on March 11 – 13, 2024 in Vigan, organized by the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas Graduate School – Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the Tropics (USTGS-CCCPET), the Training-Workshop Team of the project. As part of this report is a letter to UNESCO Jakarta that details activities until May 2024;

this is a summary of all the lectures, workshops, programs, and discussions which includes outputs, insights, and recommendations. This section has the following content: project title, technical details, description of activities, highlights, issues and recommendations/ideas, program brochures, and master list of participants with gender disaggregation and affiliation. As part of the project programming, the Local Manual Review (HCLMRE) Team organized a Town Hall Meeting with local stakeholders and homeowners at Tadena Hall, UNP. Furthermore, the USTGS-CCCPET held a series of lectures and training workshops on Vigan as a World Heritage Site which covered Vigan’s history, design, building materials, hazard vulnerabilities, and conservation strategies. Workshops by Master Mason Shiela Soliveres and Master Carpenter Elvin Alexon Ferrer at the Vigan Conservation Complex, provided by the local government, taught local participants like homeowners, contractors, and craftsmen how to handle traditional materials used in Vigan. These activities helped participants understand the conservation process and gain practical skills for conserving the heritage site.

DOWNLOAD CHAPTER 6 HERE. (20.8 MB)

Chapter 7 is a Disaster Risk Management Plan for Culture Heritage (HDRM) for Vigan. A disaster risk management plan for Vigan focuses on protecting and preserving the site against natural and human-made hazards. This plan includes assessing vulnerabilities, implementing early warning systems, and developing emergency response protocols to ensure rapid and effective action during disasters.

It also involves training local communities and stakeholders in disaster preparedness, conducting regular drills, and integrating traditional knowledge with modern techniques for site conservation. Additionally, the plan emphasizes the importance of collaboration with government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and international bodies to secure resources and support for ongoing risk reduction and recovery efforts.

DOWNLOAD CHAPTER 7 HERE. (45.2 MB)

Chapter 8 is a summation of the major project documentation and visibility outputs. Major project documentation and visibility outputs include detailed reports, visual records, and public presentations showcasing the project’s progress and results. These outputs ensure transparency and accountability, featuring comprehensive assessments, photographs, and videos of key activities.

Public exhibitions such as those tied with the closing ceremonies, press releases, and social media updates helped increase awareness and engagement among stakeholders and the wider community.

DOWNLOAD CHAPTER 8 HERE. (27.3 MB)

Chapter 9 reports donations or in-kind contributions for the HEF VIgan Project. In-kind contributions provided valuable resources and services without monetary exchange, significantly aiding projects and initiatives. For the UNESCO Emergency Fund, in-kind contributions from individuals, organizations, and partners were crucial in the recovery of Vigan after the earthquake.

These contributions varied and included investigation, expertise, lectures, and workshops, among others, which were essential towards the restoration and preservation efforts in Vigan. By supplying professional services, and volunteer work, these in-kind contributions augmented the project’s outputs, paving the way towards a more efficient recovery process. Their importance cannot be overstated, as they not only filled funding gaps but also fostered community involvement and ownership, ensuring that the conservation efforts were both comprehensive and sustainable.

DOWNLOAD CHAPTER 9 HERE. (7.5 MB)

Chapter 10: Closing Ceremony Summary Report. This portion of the report includes the summary of the closing ceremony activities that took place at Tadena Hall at the University of Northern Philippines at the World Heritage Site of the Historic City of Vigan on August 12, 2024. This momentous event provided the opportunity for all stakeholders, participants, and in-kind contributors to the HEF Vigan Project to celebrate its milestones and accomplishments in person and online in a hybrid session.

Eighty persons composed of homeowners, masons, carpenters, local and national government, in-kind contributors, partners, the academe, and the HEF team attended the ceremony. Individuals or representatives of organizations were asked to give a few words about the project’s impact and significance. The conclusion of the project marks the shared commitment to conserving the cultural heritage of Vigan. However, this event does not conclude the activities for the recovery of Vigan; from the HEF Vigan Project, testing and investigations and recommendations are available for use to rehabilitate damaged buildings still remaining.

DOWNLOAD CHAPTER 10 HERE. (20.2 MB)

Chapter 11 describes the initial project funded by the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund in the Philippines that had a clear goal: to enhance the conservation efforts for Vigan’s historic houses following an earthquake. With UNESCO Jakarta and ICOMOS Philippines at the helm, the project aimed to support Vigan’s recovery journey.

Experts from ICOMOS Philippines used a comprehensive set of principles and developed recommendations to improve technical standards and bolster the country’s preparedness for future disasters. These guidelines are designed to be flexible, catering to the specific needs of each heritage site. The overarching aim is to elevate conservation practices nationwide, ensuring a sustainable approach to preserving our cultural treasures for generations to come.

DOWNLOAD CHAPTER 11 HERE. (13.8 MB)

The last chapter of the report, Chapter 12, shares the Key Achievements and Milestones of the First UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund Project in the Philippines. This chapter brings all of the activities together describing in detail the impact that the project had on the recovery of Vigan. Topics include mobilization of diverse, gender-sensitive, and intergenerational Expert Teams,

Technical Assessment and Conservation Standards Enhancement, enabling stakeholders through Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing, Knowledge Sharing: Awareness-Raising towards Coalition Building and Collective Application, and centering Heritage as a Public Good to raise In-kind Contributions. A discussion of challenges and prospects for future emergency and related projects follows with an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities. Lastly in the third section, desirable outcomes and outputs on disaster risk management and post-crisis recovery are presented, reflecting on implementation of the fund – and how to bring continued recovery activities for the future.

DOWNLOAD CHAPTER 12 HERE. (9 MB)

In conclusion, the initiatives undertaken in response to the damage assessment of the Historic City of Vigan, supported by the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund, signify a significant step towards preserving and safeguarding cultural heritage in the Philippines. Despite inherent limitations and challenges, including governmental constraints and funding disparities, the project has created a multidisciplinary approach to conservation, encompassing structural, architectural, and materials assessments.

Furthermore, the integration of in-kind contributions and capacity-building lectures and workshops underscores the importance of community engagement and knowledge dissemination in ensuring the sustainability of conservation efforts.

Ultimately, the comprehensive achievements outlined in this report reflect a concerted commitment to enhancing conservation practices, reaffirming the significance of heritage as a collective endeavor for the benefit of future generations.

To read more, click the image to download.

June 23, 2026June 23, 2026

𝗕𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗶 𝘀𝗮 𝗞𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻: 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗡𝗶ñ𝗼 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Batobalani sa Kabilin is a three-day safeguarding workshop under the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Santo Niño de Cebu Devotion Project, implemented through the Kabilin Partnership between the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) and the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Philippines. Drawing from the meaning of batobalani—a force that brings people together—the initiative celebrates the communities, cultural practices, and shared knowledge that sustain the Santo Niño devotion’s intangible cultural heritage elements within its broader cultural ecosystem as practiced in heritage sites. Through research aggregation, safeguarding planning, multi-stakeholder coalition building, education, interpretation, and community engagement, Project Batobalani seeks to strengthen this living heritage and support its transmission to future generations.

Across three days, the Batobalani sa Kabilin Workshop demonstrated that safeguarding is not merely about documenting traditions but about strengthening the relationships, knowledge systems, institutions, and communities that sustain them. By bringing together practitioners, devotees, community organizations, scholars, government agencies, and heritage professionals, the workshop embodied the principle of the widest possible participation and laid the foundation for a more inclusive, community-driven, and sustainable future for the intangible cultural heritage of the Santo Niño de Cebu devotion.

The workshop was attended by a diverse group of stakeholders representing the many communities and sectors that contribute to the vitality of the Santo Niño de Cebu devotion. Participants included representatives from Basilica community-mandated organizations, partner barangays, local government units, museums and heritage interpretation centers, academic and research institutions from Cebu and Leyte, image bearers and caretakers of devotional images, Sinug troupe culture bearers, craft artisans, tourism officers, sectoral representatives, and devotees. Their presence reflected the broad cultural ecosystem that sustains the devotion and affirmed the importance of collaborative safeguarding grounded in community participation in heritage sites and settings.

The organizers also extend their heartfelt appreciation to the Kabilin Youth Partners, a dedicated group of volunteer third-year students from the University of the Philippines Cebu College of Communication, Art, and Design Communication Program. Throughout the workshop, these young heritage advocates provided invaluable support in documentation, ensuring participant welfare, and logistics. Their enthusiasm, professionalism, and commitment to cultural heritage demonstrate the vital role of youth in safeguarding living traditions and ensuring that the values, knowledge, and practices associated with the Santo Niño de Cebu devotion continue to be appreciated and transmitted to future generations.

The team of Project Batobalani gratefully acknowledge the partnership and support of Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), ICOMOS Philippines, and Casa Gorordo Museum. The workshop was made possible through the generosity of its venue partners and hosts: Cebu City Museum, Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu, and The Kabilin Center Open Space. We likewise extend our appreciation to the UNESCO Philippine National Commission and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) for enriching the workshop through their keynote sessions and contributions to the ongoing conversation on safeguarding living heritage in the Philippines and Asia.

International Council on Monuments and Sites – ICOMOS Philippines

RAFI – Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.

Casa Gorordo Museum

Cebu City Museum

Basilica Minore del Santo Nino

The Kabilin Center

UNESCO-Philippine National Commission

National Commission for Culture and the Arts

UP Cebu College of Communication, Art, and Design – CCAD

Communicators of UP

Keynote Speakers and Panel Discussants:

UNESCO National Commission, Secretary General – Dr. Ivan Anthony Henares

UP Cebu CCAD Faculty and ICOMOS Member-Workshop Convener – Dr. Laya Boquiren Gonzales

National Committee on Monuments and Sites Member, National Commission on Culture and the Arts and UP Los Banos Faculty – Berniemack Arellano (MS Geography)

Cavite Historian and ICOMOS Member- Phillip Medina (Phd Candidate, UP Diliman History)

Cultural Worker and Anthropologist- Nestor Horfilla

Chief, Program Management Division,

National Commission on Culture and the Arts – Renee Talavera

CHAC Commissioner and Conservation Architect – Ar. Melva Java

Historian, PhD University of Navarra and University of Asia and the Pacific Professor of History – Dr. Svetlana Camacho

Cebu Normal University Assistant Professor – Ian Dale Rios

November 24, 2025June 19, 2026

𝗞𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱: 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲–𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟵 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗲𝗯𝘂

The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), together with ICOMOS Philippines, successfully concluded the Kabilin Partnership Program (KPP) Team Planning Sessions held from November 20 to 22, 2025 at One Central Hotel, Cebu City. The three-day planning activity brought together project directors, leads, technical specialists, and program staff to align priorities, finalize milestone calendars, and strengthen coordination across all KPP heritage initiatives for 2026–2029.

The sessions brought together program team members from both ICOMOS Philippines and RAFI. The ICOMOS Philippines delegation was led by Dr. Cheek Fadriquela, President, along with the Project Directors—Dr. Laya Gonzales for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Santo Niño Devotion (ICHSN); LAr. Gabriel Victor Caballero for PAMANA 2030’s Philippine Policy Guidance for Heritage and the Sustainable Development Goals (MPHSD); and Mr. JH Corpus, MHSP for the National Training Course on Disaster Risk Management of Cultural Heritage (DRMCH). They were joined by Mr. Abdulbasir Endong, Heritage Affairs Officer; Ms. Chelsea Kaye Cabahug, ICHSN Local Research Assistant; and Ar. Carmencita Solis, Cebu-based member and Ped Expert for DRMCH.

From RAFI, attendees included Marie Sol D. Gonzalvo, Executive Director for the North and Central Portfolio; Ar. Kenneth Tua, PhD, Kabilin Chief Project Officer; Ador Vincent Mayol, MPHSD Project Lead; King Rosales, DRMCH Project Lead; John Wesley Rocha, ICHSN Project Lead; Joworski Alipon; John Russel Bragat; Chelsea Kaye Cabahug, Local Research Assistant; Abigail Eugenio; John Russel Bragat; Marthel Jay Ubas; and Lhance Caratao.

The planning sessions formally opened with an orientation on the Kabilin Integrated Project Teams, focusing on changes to program initiation requirements, manpower updates, required planning outputs, and updated grants management procedures. Discussions ensured that all teams were aligned with improved processes for project charter preparation, disbursement protocols, and efficient budget utilization—key mechanisms supporting program implementation.

Participants then worked on refining the Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) of each project in relation to both the RAFI and ICOMOS Philippines calendars, producing a consolidated milestone roadmap covering 2026 to 2029, along with a detailed Year 2 (2026) implementation schedule. This allowed project teams from DRMCH, MPHSD, and ICHSN to synchronize their targets and identify strategic dependencies across initiatives.

A significant portion of the sessions was dedicated to reviewing and approving the summarized PIP–WBS–Milestones of each project cluster. Each team presented its four-year and Year 2 plans for validation, resolution, and approval, ensuring that all activities align with program goals, resource availability, and organizational priorities for heritage conservation and capacity-building.

The workshop continued with an in-depth planning session focused on crafting 2026 Activity Proposals, where teams underwent guided proposal development, internal discussions, and cross-team consultations. These proposals, once consolidated, will serve as the foundation for year-round implementation and interdepartmental coordination.

The Core Project Management Team also held specialized meetings to address year-specific planning, activity sequencing, and plotting of scheduled tasks into the unified MS Excel master calendar. Final presentations of the Activity Proposals for DRMCH, MPHSD, and ICHSN were conducted, followed by resolutions and approval motions to proceed with implementation preparations for 2026.

The planning concluded with a joint meeting between the Core Project Management and Grants Teams, focusing on validating aggregated disbursement requirements, clarifying budget utilization guidelines, and strengthening support mechanisms for the program’s expanding portfolio of heritage initiatives.

The Kabilin Partnership Program Team Planning Sessions reaffirmed the strong collaboration between RAFI and ICOMOS Philippines in advancing heritage conservation in the Visayas through aligned strategies, strengthened systems, and coordinated organizational direction. The outputs of the three-day activity will guide the next cycle of heritage programs and ensure that project teams remain equipped to deliver sustainable, community-centered, and well-coordinated heritage interventions.

#RAFI #ICOMOSPH #cebloom #parasaatongkabilin #CebuanoHeritage

November 24, 2025June 19, 2026

𝗥𝗔𝗙𝗜 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗢𝗦 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗲𝗯𝘂

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), in collaboration with ICOMOS Philippines, successfully conducted the Conservation Management Plan (CMP) Workshop on November 18–19, 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, PhD—an economic scientist and heritage conservation specialist with advanced degrees in cultural landscapes, diplomacy, and agricultural science— 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 Mr. JH 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 Art’s 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 Baños, 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 Philippines’ ICORP (International Committee on Risk Preparedness), she offered valuable insights into documentation methods and the importance of understanding a structure’s past, present, and future conditions.

Together, these experts provided an interdisciplinary and comprehensive learning experience that deepened participants’ 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.

#ICOMOSPH #RAFI #CMPWorkshop #CulturalHeritage #ConservationManagement #CebuHeritage #Kabilin #CEBloom #HeritageConservation

November 21, 2025November 22, 2025

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 (𝗛𝗗𝗥𝗠) 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱

Manila, Philippines – The 2022 Luzon Earthquake in the northwestern part of the island brought devastation to many heritage ancestral homes and other heritage properties within the World Heritage Site, Historic City of Vigan. In response, ICOMOS Philippines was granted the first-ever UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund (HEF) to support the enhancement of technical standards for the conservation and protection of heritage houses and structures following the earthquake.

This year marks the culmination of this significant collaborative effort between the expert conservation teams, stakeholders of Vigan, the local government, local cultural institutions, tradespersons, contractors, technicians, and, most especially, the local homeowners.

As part of this anniversary, ICOMOS Philippines will release the one and only municipal-level Disaster Risk Management Plan for the World Heritage Site Historic City of Vigan in the Philippines. This momentous occasion brings together learnings from the post-earthquake recovery, including risk and hazard assessments, disaster preparedness and emergency planning, governance and institutional arrangements, ongoing monitoring, maintenance, and sustainability, communication and community resilience, and policy / legal framework integration.

This chapter report is the seventh of the twelve chapters that ICOMOS Philippines will release to the general public. This is a multi-dimensional plan, covering risk, governance, capacity building, recovery, and sustainability. The plan is anchored in both heritage conservation and modern DRM practices, making it a model for integrating cultural heritage into community resilience.

ICOMOS Philippines will soon release the remaining eleven chapters not only for the consumption by the general public but also for ensuring transparency, institutional learning, and long-term resilience for the cultural heritage sector. The activities in Vigan generated critical assessments, data, and recommendations that are highly relevant to government agencies, training institutions, cultural site custodians, researchers, and disaster-risk managers. The full report synthesizes the project’s methodology, findings, and lessons learned—information that must be accessible to stakeholders to reinforce the sustainability and impact of the intervention.

To download the full version of the report: https://bit.ly/UNESCOHEF_CH7

#UNESCO #unescoJAKARTA #ICOMOS #icomosPHILIPPINES #HeritageEmergencyFund #firstHEF #WorldHeritageSite #HistoricCityofVigan #PhilippineHeritage #SustainableHeritageManagement #ProtectHeritage

October 14, 2024

ICOMOS Philippines Completes Heritage Project in Vigan

On August 12, 2024, the closing ceremony for the year-long heritage recovery project in Vigan was held at Tadena Hall, University of Northern Philippines. This event marked the culmination of a significant collaborative effort between the expert conservation teams, stakeholders of Vigan, the local government, local cultural institutions, tradespersons, contractors, technicians, and most especially the local homeowners, which was initiated in response to the devastating Northwestern Luzon Earthquake of 2022. The project, funded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Heritage Emergency Fund (HEF), aimed to enhance the technical standards for the conservation and protection of Vigan’s historic structures, particularly its vernacular ancestral homes.

One of the project’s key achievements was the capacity-building initiative for local contractors, tradespersons, and technicians. Through a series of lectures and workshops, participants were familiarized with traditional construction materials and techniques, emphasizing the importance of maintaining authenticity in conservation interventions. This effort was crucial, especially given the reliance on modern construction techniques that are often incompatible with Vigan’s historic structures.

The project also highlighted the importance of community involvement and partnership. ICOMOS Philippines successfully campaigned for the project as an act of positive, communal participation, attracting generous donations and in-kind contributions that also led this project to attain another major accomplishment. For the allocation of $105,500 or ₱ 5,802,500 by the UNESCO and HEF donors, this amount was matched by private in-kind contributors who donated pro-bono services amounting to $111,433 or ₱ 6,128,814. The in-kind contributions gave the project a greater impact towards the recovery of Vigan.

The success of the project is not just a milestone in heritage conservation but a foundation for future efforts to conserve and protect the cultural heritage of Vigan and beyond. A forward-looking vision for greater resilience that captures the essence of what this project has achieved and what it aspires to accomplish in the future.

Please see the article in the The Daily Tribune. Read here https://bitly.cx/aR60.

This activity was supported by the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund. We wish to thank its donors: the Qatar Fund for Development, the Government of Canada, the Kingdom of Norway, the French Republic, the United Kingdom, the Principality of Monaco, the Republic of Estonia, ANA Holdings INC, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Slovak Republic, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, the Principality of Andorra, the Republic of Serbia.

For more information on ICOMOS Philippines https://philippines.icomos.org/

#UNESCO #unescoJAKARTA #ICOMOS #icomosPHILIPPINES #HeritageEmergencyFund #firstHEF #WorldHeritageSite #HistoricCityofVigan #PhilippineHeritage #SustainableHeritageManagement #ProtectHeritage

September 27, 2024October 4, 2024

ICOMOS Philippines Takes Part in the 2024 National Conference on Local History and Heritage

Dr. Laya Boquiren-Gonzales stirred the discussion with onsite participants. She moderated the open forum of the panel taking in questions from the diverse audience composed of other cultural workers and local heritage advocates.

ICOMOS Philippines led a panel discussion at the 2024 National Conference on Local History and Heritage (NCLHH) last August 29, 2024, in the Ayala Museum, Makati City. The panel with the title Heritage Conservation Practices in the Philippines was chaired and moderated by Dr. Laya Boquiren-Gonzales, PhD, and was composed of Ms. Maria Cristina Paterno, Ar. Kenneth Javier Tua, and LAr. Gabriel Caballero.

Ms. Maria Cristina P. Paterno, Immediate Past President of ICOMOS Philippines and Projects Manager of Preserving Legacies presented “Climate Vulnerability Assessment of the Ifugao Rice Terraces: Preserving Legacies, A Future for Our Past.” She shared the findings and experience of the recently published study that looked into the values of the terraces for the local communities and how these values, rooted in Indigenous knowledge, are impacted by climate change, as well as contribute to strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity as they try to preserve and protect their cultural heritage by integrating modern climate science.

Ar. Kenneth Javier Tua, Vice President of ICOMOS Philippines and Country Director of the UNESCO-Heritage Emergency Fund project for the Historic City of Vigan presented “Saluad-Tawid: Conserving and Protecting Heritage Houses and Structures in the Historic City of Vigan After the 2022 Earthquake.” The recently concluded project provided valuable lessons for disaster risk management for cultural heritage and working in a multi-stakeholder environment.

LAr. Gabriel Victor A. Caballero, Focal Point for the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of ICOMOS International presented “Pamana 2030: Local Case Profiles on Philippine Heritage and Sustainable Development Goals.” He presented selected efforts by the ICOMOS Sustainable Development Goals Working Group (SDGWG) to document heritage initiatives that intersect with SDGs.

Laya Boquiren-Gonzales, PhD, gave a short presentation about the upcoming initiative to document and safeguard the heritage of the devotion to the Santo Niño de Cebú in partnership with Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), one of the three landmark projects under the ‘Kabilin Partnership’ with ICOMOS Philippines.

We in ICOMOS Philippines express our sincere gratitude and congratulations to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the organizers of the conference for the opportunity to share our work and on-ground experience towards a respected heritage profession in the country, and Philippine heritage that is conserved to the highest standards. We look forward to taking part again in the next NCLHH Conference.

For more information on ICOMOS Philippines https://philippines.icomos.org/

#ICOMOSPH #NHCP #ParaSaPamana #Kabilin #HistoryMonth #PatuloySaPagtuklas #OurHistoryContinues #HeritageConservation #LHCN2024

July 31, 2024July 31, 2024

Sagada Mission Compound Girls Dormitory Conservation Assessment

Click here to download the Report

Built in 1912, the Girls’ Dormitory is the first school building of the Mission of St. Mary the Virgin in Sagada. It played an essential role in the education of the children of the Cordilleras as it served as the first school building in the area from 1912 until 1951. An example of American-Philippine Colonial architectural style, the structure is currently unoccupied and under rehabilitation.

A product of collaboration between ICOMOS Philippines and the Episcopal Church in the Philippines, the Conservation Assessment of the Mission Compound Girls Dormitory by ICOMOS Philippines member Ar. Aris Go of Ninety Design Studio is a detailed example of doing proper conservation assessment which analyzes multiple facets of the heritage structure including architectural, material, and structural condition, and provides sound recommendations drawn from data.