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 CITYโTHE KABILIN CENTER, CEBU CITYโThe International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Philippines and the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) marked a significant milestone in protecting Philippine cultural heritage against disasters with the opening of the Bantay Kabilin: Pilot Training Program on Disaster Risk Management for Cultural Heritage (DRMCH).
The origins of the program drew from the experiences of ICOMOS Philippines team members who participated in the International Training Course on Disaster Risk Management of Cultural Heritage organized by ICCROM and Ritsumeikan Universityโs Institute of Disaster Mitigation for Urban Cultural Heritage (DMUCH). Building upon this foundation, ICOMOS Philippines and RAFI spent one year conducting research, consultations, curriculum development, and coordination with heritage professionals, government agencies, subject matter experts, participating institutions, and cultural heritage sites.
The pilot is being implemented through the partnership between ICOMOS Philippines and RAFI under the Kabilin Partnership Program, with support from The Japan Foundation, Manila, a funding partner of ICOMOS Philippines for the pilot.
The opening brought together leaders from ICOMOS Philippines and RAFI, heritage experts, development partners, and participants representing museums, churches, cultural institutions, civil society organizations, and local communities. Their presence reflected a shared commitment to safeguarding cultural heritage before, during, and after disasters.
Ms. Amaya Cristina Aboitiz-Fansler, President and Chief Executive Officer of RAFI, delivered the keynote address. She emphasized the importance of connecting cultural heritage protection with disaster risk reduction and climate resilience. She encouraged participants to build lasting professional networks and a shared commitment to the future of Philippine heritage.
Ar. Giuseppe Luigi H. Abcede, Trustee of ICOMOS Philippines, delivered his message. He emphasized the importance of cooperation among heritage organizations, government institutions, technical experts, and local communities in translating international conservation principles into practical action. He reaffirmed ICOMOS Philippinesโ commitment to strengthening professional capacity and helping communities protect their heritage from disaster risks.
Ar. Kenneth Tua, PhDAgSci, Chief Project Officer of the Kabilin Partnership Program, recognized Cebu City as an important setting for piloting the training. He encouraged participants to address disaster risks through preparedness, cooperation, and shared responsibility. He also acknowledged the organizations and institutions that contributed to the program.
The opening introduced participants to the learning journey they will undertake throughout the pilot.
Mr. Joselito H. Corpus, Project Director of Bantay Kabilin: DRMCH, presented the program framework, learning methodology, and participant journey. He led the development of the pilot with the ICOMOS Philippines and RAFI project team, guiding its curriculum, modules, subject matter experts, institutional partnerships, case-study sites, lectures, workshops, site visits, and practical outputs. Drawing from his experience in heritage conservation and disaster risk management, he helped adapt international DRMCH principles to Philippine hazards, heritage conditions, and community needs.
Ar. King Rosales, Project Lead, presented the programโs objectives, structure, activities, and expected outcomes. Working closely with the Project Director, he helped coordinate the project team, partners, subject matter experts, participants, institutions, and heritage sites while supporting the programโs day-to-day implementation.
Bantay Kabilin draws upon ICOMOS Philippinesโ technical knowledge, interdisciplinary experience, professional network, and international connections. Through lectures, workshops, case studies, and site visits, participants learn to assess heritage values, hazards, and vulnerabilities and to prepare measures for mitigation, response, recovery, and long-term resilience. Cebu City, with its churches, museums, historic landmarks, traditional communities, and heritage districts, provides a meaningful setting for applying these lessons.
The initiative is supported by RAFI through the Strategic Initiative Grant of its North and Central Portfolio. The Japan Foundation, Manila, a funding partner of ICOMOS Philippines for the pilot, supported the participation of international subject matter experts and the exchange of knowledge within the program. Bantay Kabilin begins a longer effort to develop a nationally relevant training model that integrates cultural heritage conservation with disaster risk management while strengthening community resilience.
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: 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 RAFIโs heritage-related projects. Building on previous discussions, participants looked at how international frameworks could help guide the process of measuring cultureโs contribution to sustainable development.
One important part of the module was the discussion on Baguio Cityโs 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 RAFIโs 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 Niรฑo 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 RAFIโs 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.
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
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],โ 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.
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 Viganโs recovery.
To access the chapter report please download each file below.
Chapter 1 of the report is called โFirst UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund (HEF) Project in the Philippines.โ 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 teamsโ delegation, organizational chart, calendar, and a chronological timeline of activities and milestones achieved.
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.
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.
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.
Chapter 5 outlines the addendum for the Heritage Homeownerโs Manual of the Historic City of Vigan. This update incorporates suggested technical standards, assessment findings, and the assigned teamโs 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 projectโs 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.
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 projectโs 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.
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.
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.
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.
Batobalani sa Kabilin is a three-day safeguarding workshop under the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Santo Niรฑo 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 batobalaniโa force that brings people togetherโthe initiative celebrates the communities, cultural practices, and shared knowledge that sustain the Santo Niรฑo devotionโs 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 Niรฑo 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 Niรฑo 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 Niรฑo 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 Niรฑo 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
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 2026โ2029.
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 DirectorsโDr. Laya Gonzales for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Santo Niรฑo Devotion (ICHSN); LAr. Gabriel Victor Caballero for PAMANA 2030โs 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 utilizationโkey 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 PIPโWBSโMilestones 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 programโs 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.
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 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 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.
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 projectโs methodology, findings, and lessons learnedโinformation that must be accessible to stakeholders to reinforce the sustainability and impact of the intervention.
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 Viganโs historic structures, particularly its vernacular ancestral homes.
One of the projectโs 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 Viganโs 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 โฑ 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 โฑ 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.
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.
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 โClimate Vulnerability Assessment of the Ifugao Rice Terraces: Preserving Legacies, A Future for Our Past.โ 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 โSaluad-Tawid: Conserving and Protecting Heritage Houses and Structures in the Historic City of Vigan After the 2022 Earthquake.โ 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 Nationโs Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of ICOMOS International presented โPamana 2030: Local Case Profiles on Philippine Heritage and Sustainable Development Goals.โ 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 Niรฑo de Cebรบ in partnership with Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), one of the three landmark projects under the โKabilin Partnershipโ with ICOMOS Philippines.
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.
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.
Built in 1912, the Girlsโ 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.
