Uncategorized – ICOMOS Philippines

June 10, 2024June 18, 2024

Progress Significant in Vigan’s Recovery from 2022 Earthquake

Last March 2024, marked the third quarter of the implementation of the first Heritage Emergency Fund [HEF] granted to the Republic of the Philippines by UNESCO.

UNESCO Jakarta under the leadership of Moe Chiba, Culture Unit Head, and Rizky Fardhyan, Project Coordinator, visited Vigan City to observe and support the activities spurred by the HEF. Their visit coincided with events around Vigan from the 11th to 13th of March, and they witnessed major milestones achieved by expert team, visiting and local students and professors, and the stakeholders of Vigan.

One activity was the HEF capacity-building training program whose audience were the homeowner’s, custodians, contractors, technicians, tradespersons and other concerned stakeholders of the WHS Historic City of Vigan. Not only were they given lectures about Vigan specific topics, but they were also involved in a hands-on workshop to try their hand at mixing lime mortar and also attempting traditional joinery.

Another highlight were the activities at Tadena Hall at University of Northern Philippines where Hong Kong University and University of the Northern students presented their documentation of fifteen priority ancestral vernacular houses that they completed in about a week with the aide of digital documentation.

Lastly, there was Town Hall Meeting where homeowners and local stakeholders had an open forum to discuss the challenges of recovery and also how to move forward as a community sustainably and effectively.

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 of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, 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.

Concerned stakeholders who are interested in providing in-kind contribution, you may contact Ar. Kenneth Javier Tua, Country Project Director, through kenneth.javier.tua@icomosphilippines.com and cc.: info@icomosphilippines.com. Let’s protect and promote our diverse cultural heritage together.

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

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

November 16, 2023November 16, 2023

Preserving the Legacy of the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras

From Oct. 10 to 14 in Banaue, a conference entitled “Climate Risk and Resilience at the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras” was organized by Preserving Legacies, ICOMOS International, and ICOMOS Philippines in partnership with Climate Heritage Network and National Geographic Society, and funded by Manulife.

Participants from the local governmental units of Kiangan, Hungduan, Mayoyao, Bangaan, Batad, and Banaue, stakeholder’s organizations, and local community members, along with natural and cultural heritage site custodians from Cambodia, Togo, Colombia, the United States of America, Ireland, Jordan, Bangladesh, and Tunisia were in attendance.

Victoria Herrman, National Geographic Explorer and project director of Preserving Legacies, adds, “[We] firmly believe in the power of cultural and heritage for climate change. This important project will empower communities and site custodians to protect their heritage from the images of climate change. It will also provide them with a platform for their stories and their valuable experiences with the world.”

Photo credit: Philippine Star, November 11, 2023

ERRATA:

RE: Col. 1. Par. 2. For “Ifugao Rice Terraces of the Cordilleras” read/to “Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras.”

RE: Col. 2. Par. 2. For “Kiangan rice harvest festival” read/to “Bakle, post-harvest rice ritual.”

RE: Col 3. Par. 1. For “Marlon Martin, founder of the Save the Ifugao Terraces Movement (SITMo)” read/to “Marlon Martin, Chief Operating Officer of the Save the Ifugao Terraces Movement (SITMo).”

RE: Photo and Credits. For “View of the Ifugao Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, Photo by GREG VALERIO, ICOMOS Philippines” read/to “View of the Mayoyao cluster, Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, Photo by BHONG TAWANA.”

RE: Col. 3. Par. 2. For “Dr. Maria Laurice Jamero, Resilience Coordinator, Klima, Manila Observatory” read/to “Dr. Maria Laurice Jamero, Climate Scientist – Independent Consultant.”

Please see the article in the Philippine Daily Inquirer Lifestyle and Arts section. Read here ➡️ https://bitly.ws/326hC

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

For inquiries about ICOMOS Philippines and the Preserving Legacies Project: Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, please email: info@icomosphilippines.com

August 14, 2023October 16, 2023

Technical Forum on Built Heritage and Fire Successfully Held

“Built Heritage and Fire: Technical Forum on Fire Protection, Investigation, and Restoration through Engineering” brought together experts, professionals, and stakeholders to address the specific challenges and complexities associated with fire-related incidents and recommended possible strategies for post-disaster restoration this past Friday, August 11, 2023.

ICOMOS Philippines recognizes that this technical forum is a much-needed response to the devastating fire disaster at the Manila Central Post Office in Manila on May 22, 2023. Fire hazard awareness, policies, response, and restoration are important factors in the protection of our heritage structures and sites across the Philippines. Response and coordination to fire disasters is critical at all levels of government and for all stakeholders, and we know that this forum has enlightened our fellow heritage site advocates and stewards to the importance of this topic.

Some of the onsite participants of the Technical Forum together with the organizers and speakers.

ICOMOS Philippines thanks our partner, Bakás Pilipinas, and organizers the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines (ASEP), the Institution of Specialist Structural Engineers of the Philippines (ISSEP), the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) for the forum which attracted over 1,000 attendees.

Rodolfo Mendoza Jr., ASEP Secretary (left 1st row), Cheek Fadriquela, ICOMOS Philippines President, Ivan Henares, UNACOM Secretary General and NCCA Commissioner for Cultural Heritage, Rene Escalante, former NCCA Chairman, Tristan Beriña, IIEE Member, Carlos Villaraza, former ASEP President (right 1st row). Giuseppe Abcede, HCS President (left 2nd row), JH Corpus, ICOMOS Philippines Communications Officer, Patrick Lee, NCCA CPPRD Chief, Philippine Post Office Officers (right 2nd row)

To our speakers Christopher Marrion, Erik Akpendonu, Rodolfo P. Mendoza, Jr, Carlos M. Villaraza, Tristan G. Beriña, and Stephen Kelley, we extend our gratitude to your invaluable expertise and time. Thank you Johit Rigyasu for your contributions to Christopher Marrion’s presentation.

To watch the recently concluded Forum kindly check NCCA’s Facebook page ➡️

Part 1 (8 hours): http://bitly.ws/S4Ee

Part 2 (1 hour): http://bitly.ws/S4Ei

Please consider membership with ICOMOS Philippines to get involved in the advocacy of disaster risk reduction management: info@icomosphilippines.com.

#ICOMOS #ICOMOSPH #HeritageProfessionals #InAction #TechnicalForum #BuiltHeritageAndFIRE

July 5, 2023July 6, 2023

List of Candidates to the Board of ICOMOS Philippines 2023-2026

In accordance with the ICOMOS Philippines By-laws, the 2023 General Assembly to be held on July 15, 2023 will elect 5 members of the Board of Trustees for a term of three years (2023-2026). The Board of Trustees will elect among themselves the Chairperson / President, Vice President, Corporate Secretary, Treasurer General, and a Board Trustee, a total of 5 seats.

Below is the final list of candidates for the election of members to the 2023-2026 ICOMOS Philippines Board of Trustees . To view the candidates’ bio and their prepared 3-year action plan, kindly click on the links in each candidate’s name.

June 19, 2023June 19, 2023

Call for Candidature – ICOMOS Philippines Board of Trustees (2023-2026)

The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) in the Philippines was originally established on August 8, 1988, accredited by the ICOMOS International Secretariat. The President was Regalado Trota Jose, with Ramon Faustman as Vice President, Milagros Jamir as Treasurer, Fr. Rene Javellana, S.J., as Secretary and Rache Cuna as Membership Officer. The organization was established anew in 2010 as a non-profit corporation, with founding trustees Augusto Villalon, Michael Manalo, Jocelyn Mananghaya, Lucille Karen Malilong and Melvin Patawaran. The Philippine National Committee of ICOMOS International is subject to Philippine law as well as ICOMOS International Statutes and Rules. In particular, it has adopted the Ethical Principles for ICOMOS Members (adopted at the 18th General Assembly, 12 November 2014)

In accordance with the ICOMOS Philippines By-laws, the 2023 General Assembly will elect the Board of Trustees for a term of three years (2023-2026). The Board of Trustees will elect among themselves the Chairman / President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

Functions and Powers of the Board of Trustees (in by-laws)

The Board of Trustees shall have general charge of the property, business, and affairs of the Organization with the power to manage, direct and supervise the same under its collective responsibility as provided in the By-Laws and the Policies and Procedure. Trustees shall:

Appoint or elect all officers, employees and other administrative officers of the Organization as may be designated, except junior officers and minor employees; to define their duties and to discipline or remove them.
Purchase or otherwise acquire for the Organization rights and privileges of properties, and to manage, conserve and invest the funds of the Organization.
Approve the annual budget of the Organization.
Delegate from time to time any of the powers of the Board which can lawfully be delegated to any standing or special committee or to any agent or officers and to appoint any person or persons to act as agents of the Organization with such powers and upon such terms as it may deem fit.

Additional Scope of Work of the Board of Trustees (as defined by current board)

Members of the ICOMOS Philippines Board of Trustees donate time and expertise to the Organization and they are part of a working board. As such, Trustees are expected to do the following tasks:

Donate a minimum of 20 hours a month of their time to the organization. Each trustee must take charge of one of the following for the duration of their tenure: staff management; fundraising; or 1 project per year with support of the Secretariat or Membership.
Assist the President in the cultivation of donors, partners, supporters, collaborators, allies, and other stakeholders.
Ensure the organization’s activities are compliant and in furtherance of its mission in compliance with international parent organization and local mission / vision.
Engage in the creation of long and short-term goals with the Board.
Respond to email within 48 hours for items for Board approval, as and when required.
Craft policies to further a sustainable organization.

Requirements for Candidates

Application Procedure:

Interested parties should submit the following:

Updated CV
letter of intent
proposed action plan for the next 3 years
short bio
a formal photo (for internal and public announcements)

Send to the ICOMOS Philippines’ Secretariat at info@icomosphilippines.com with the email title: “Trustee Application 2023 – Last Name” by 03 July 2023.

Candidates’ information (application requirements) will be made available to the membership through the ICOMOS Philippines members only Facebook group and via email. The list of candidates and their respective platforms will also be posted in the ICOMOS Philippines official website.

February 18, 2021February 18, 2021

The Philippine Tentative List Preliminary Evaluation Strategy: Considerations for the Better of the World Heritage Tentative List in the Context of the Philippines

ICOMOS PH Intern Supitcha Sutthanonkul will be presenting her research: “The Philippine Tentative List Preliminary Evaluation Strategy: Considerations for the Better of the World Heritage Tentative List in the Context of the Philippines” in a Members-Only Event on February 18, 2021 at 8PM PST.

Abstract

The State Party of the Philippines ratified the World Heritage Convention 1985 and has since inscribed 6 sites in the World Heritage List. Currently, the Tentative List of the Philippines has 19 sites presented and has evolved since 1993 with several notable listings in 2006, the edited and elimination in 2009, and listing again in 2015. Considering the numbers of the sites that were still listed since 1993 and later years, the current evaluation process of the Tentative List could be challenging. However, the evolution in various years indicates the attempt of the State Party to develop the Tentative List for the future nomination.

ICOMOS PH intends to investigate the current stage of the Tentative List of the Philippines and its strengths and weaknesses and to thread a pathway through the institutional history of the tentative list and find the potential development in the context of the State Party of Philippines. This research focuses on gathering the theoretical point of view from the desktop review and the practical experience by the interview of heritage practitioners in the country to conduct the systematic analysis comparing with the international recommendations and find the possible challenges that could affect the Tentative List requirement and process. The output is the issue-based analysis and the preliminary strategy with potential development for the better evaluation process of the Philippine Tentative List.