Annually, ICOMOS invites a global and multidisciplinary panel of heritage experts to assess each country’s nominations for World Heritage Sites. Among that panel was ICOMOS Philippines’ past president Tina Paterno, presenting via video the decision of the ICOMOS World Heritage Panel to inscribe Portugal’s Historic Centre of Guimarães and Couros Zone on the World Heritage List at the Extended 45th Session of the World Heritage Committee at the Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
One of the most important steps in inscription to the World Heritage Site list is the advice that ICOMOS gives to UNESCO. Each work in tandem to process tentative inscriptions from desk reviews, to physical site visits and, if merited, to the final announcement for inscription.
For more information about the ICOMOS Philippines, please contact: info@icomosphilippines.com
ICOMOS Philippines in cooperation with 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), and Bakás Pilipinas, bring international and country-based experts for a hybrid Technical Forum on “Built Heritage and FIRE: Fire protection, Investigation, and Restoration through Engineering”.
The event will be held from 8:00 AM, Manila Time on August 11, 2023, Friday at the Metropolitan Theater of Manila (The MET) simultaneously streamed via online Zoom Conferencing Platform.
This forum intends to bring experts, professionals, and stakeholders to address the specific challenges and complexities associated with the Manila Post Office fire and fire-related incidents to built heritage, and develop possible strategies for its restoration. This also extends to addressing the concerns of fire risk management and restoration of cultural heritage in the country.
The Topics and Speakers are as follows:
Protecting our Cultural Heritage from Fire: Understanding the Challenges and Opportunities to Effectively Manage Fire by Christopher Marrion PE, FSFPE, MScFPE, President of Marrion Fire & Risk Consulting PE, LLC, and President of the International Committee on Risk Preparedness
Opportunities to Manage Fire Risk Through Traditional Knowledge and Community Engagement by Rohit Jigyasu, ICORP Vice President and UNESCO Chair on Cultural Heritage Management and Risk Management
Structural Evaluation and Rehabilitation of Fire-Damaged Structures by Stephen Kelley, SJK Preservation Architect/Engineer, ISCARSAH Past President
Burning for Heritage: Fire Threats to Built Heritage in Manila by Erik Akpedonu, Ateneo De Manila University, and ICOMOS Philippines Former Treasurer
Fire-Induced Effects on Concrete Material and Structure by Dr. Rodolfo P. Mendoza Jr., D.ENG, M.ASEP, ASEP Secretary
The Overall Approach to Assessing a Fire-Damaged Structure: Philippine Case Studies by Engr. Carlos M. Villaraza, F.ASEP, ASEP Past President
Electrical Safety Audit on Historic Buildings by Engr. Tristan G. Beriña, REE, Member, Electrical Safety Committee, Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines
To participate via Zoom kindly register in this REGISTRATION LINK or use the QR code above.
International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Philippines’s representative Dr. Laya Boaquiren – Gonzales participated in the 1st day of the Consultation Workshop on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Philippines for the 2022 Voluntary National Review (VNR).
The Voluntary National Review (VNR) is a process through which countries assess and present progress made in achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the pledge to leave no one behind. The purpose of VNRs is to present a snapshot of where the country stands in SDG implementation, with a view to help accelerate progress through experience sharing, peer-learning, identifying gaps and good practices, and mobilizing partnerships.
The 1st day of the Consultation Workshops captured how the Philippines responded to the demands and challenges of the pandemic in the areas of education, gender equality, and environmental sustainability particularly on the following aspects:
a. Resource Mobilization and Financing. Address financing gaps in SDG implementation, and integrate planning and budgeting to ensure that resources are optimized and allocated for SDG-related programs, activities, and policies;
b. Localization. Develop communications for more effective stakeholder engagement at the subnational level;
c. Monitoring. Enhance accountability mechanisms to ensure proper data monitoring and reporting of SDG progress; and
d. Stakeholder engagement. Development mechanisms to harmonize efforts from different actors on the SDGs
Through the abovementioned aspects, three (3) workshops were divided to tackle the following: Challenges, Best Practices, and Lessons learned / Ways forward / Recommendations.
Photo from National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)
Photo from National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)
Photo from National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)
Photo from Dr. Laya Boquiren – Gonzales
Dr. Boquiren – Gonzales represented ICOMOS Philippines during the 1st day of the consultation workshops held last April 26, 2022, Tuesday, at Discovery Suites Ortigas, 25 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.
Dr. Laya Boquiren – Gonzales provided highlights of the 1st workshop:
“I joined the breakout session for non-government actors, where we highlighted our organization’s programs and projects on heritage education and capacity building. ICOMOS Philippines provides heritage education, continuing professional development, and internships — all with access to a network of international, national, and local specialists in heritage. Partnerships with organizations for skills-based training in heritage conservation, documentation, and restoration work (for job generation and poverty reduction) were also mentioned. That ICOMOS has a seat in NCMS makes it strategically positioned to contribute to collective efforts in attaining the SDGs.”
“The non-government actors of civil society organizations (CSOs) recommended that NEDA produce an AI-enabled platform to map out the efforts and beneficiaries of the CSOs that will be critical in monitoring the SDGs and helping one another streamline efforts in education for nation-building. We were also asked to identify challenges in resource mobilization and financing. We also recommended that since the government is duty-bound as an enabler, it should dedicate human resources to gather and consolidate data and reach out to government actors so that the resource mobilization issues we have identified will be appropriately communicated.”
Other present Stakeholders’ Chamber members were Philippine Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas (PhilDHRRA), Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., First Philippine Holdings Corporation, European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) etc.
To know more about NEDA’s initiative, kindly visit bit.ly/SDGChamber
For more information on ICOMOS Philippines and SDGWG ➡️ (https://tinyurl.com/2sj8k3sb)
In celebration of the International Day for Monuments and Sites, ICOMOS Philippines and ICOMOS Nepal collaborate on a talk that explores how climate change affects each country’s vernacular heritage. As vernacular heritage is a product of local climate, topography, culture and locally available materials in the past, how will future climate hazards – changing temperatures, rainfall patterns, winds, drought, flash floods, wildfire, storm, landslide, etc., have a larger impact on the site?
Two cases from each country shall present how the place of origin, climatic condition and the culture of the people living in the area has shaped their architecture. The speakers discuss how the vulnerabilities might manifest (rising damp, changing landscapes, loss of roofing, for example), how sites have adapted to keep resilient, and what other interventions we should be planning for today to secure sites for the imminence of climate change.The talk will take place on Monday, April 18, from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM.
In celebration of National Heritage Month, ICOMOS Philippines explores the theme of color. Color is a large contributing factor to its aesthetic value, and to a site’s authenticity- often evidenced by popular uproar when a historic site is restored with a different color.
ICOMOS Philippines examines color within the broader context of preserving authenticity in heritage. The materiality, symbology, and historic significance of color, from the global to local contexts will be discussed, including practical applications of restoration of colored renders and paint finishes.
Late May; Date & Time TBD
Leandro Poco gives a historic introduction of the historic significance of color in urban planning and architecture (e.g., use of color in Antiquity such as Greek and Roman statuary and temples, color schemes in Cycladic Islands, colors of Spanish-era colonial settlements such as Vigan, theory of Brutalist finishes, corporate identity color schemes, etc.).
This talk introduces the color and materiality of human settlements and cities using the lenses of history, contextual geography, and socio-economic conditions. It expounds on how color and materiality are not just forms of artistic expression, but, when combined with an understanding of underlying factors, have a deep cultural and contextual meaning that add depth to our understanding of the built environment. One can trace the thread of color and materiality as it starts out as a consequence of geographical context, achieving the height of craftsmanship and expression within local communities. This then moves into the commodification and homogenization of materials into the industrial age of international modernity, wherein increasing production, global trade, and post-ww2 ideologies bring about changes to production and the adoption of a more global (less local) identity. Leading into how the current age of mass market capitalism and branding, suburbanization and corporate enclavization of cities has led to the increased need for mass-customization of materiality and colors to stand out in a public sphere where brands and identity dominate for eyeballs and influence. The aim is to enlighten while presenting, enlightening, and poking fun at our pre-held conceptions on color in the urban sphere, and make us aware of the subtext of color and materials in our built environment.
Christian Aguilar gives an overview of the use of colors in history from Antiquity via the Middle Ages and the Renaissance and Baroque to the Present. He will then discuss materials (pigments, binders, and admixtures); application (surface treatments, layers, technique); and details (protection, maintenance). Aguilar discuss the use of colors in restoration projects (case studies of Sta. Ana Church, Pasig Church and San Agustin Churches; the Intramuros walls) and the challenges faced in the Philippines in implementing proper restoration practices. The talk will conclude with a brief overview of contemporary applications of colors in the Philippines discussing challenges and commonly made mistakes.
Erik Akpedonu will discuss the symbolism of colors in various cultures (e.g., mourning colors in East Asia, Europe, and West Africa) and their application in the built environments of, for example, in Europe and China (Feng Shui). He will discuss the psychology of color in Architecture and in Interior Design in particular, as well as the ecological aspect of proper color choice for ecologically-appropriate color schemes.
Color is a fundamental aspect of how we perceive our environment and has a profound impact on our psychological well-being. Given their powerful effects, colors the world over have been employed to symbolize specific concepts, ideas, and feelings, such as joy and mourning, power and purity, good and evil, aggression and peace, and many more. How colors are used in architecture varies from culture to culture, be it the manifold symbolic meanings of color in Chinese traditional architecture based on geomancy (Feng Shui); the vibrant colors of Bolivia translated into contemporary buildings, or the geometric patterns of sub-Saharan Africa. Perceptions of color are likewise influenced over time by notions of ideology, power, and manipulation, ranging from the colorful emotional extravaganza of the Baroque via the monochromatic rationality of Neoclassicism and the controversial color debates surrounding Classic Modernism up to the present free-for-all of Post-Modernism. Finally, our natural environment influences our choice of colors, be it the blue-and-white schemes of traditional Greek houses, the colorful dwellings of Scandinavia, or the earth tones of traditional clay architecture. Given its strong psychological and symbolic impact, colors also play a vital role in interior design, where they are used in a wide range of combinations to visually reduce or enlarge space, add or remove light, and create the desired ambience depending on the target audience. Finally, color`s physical aspects can be put to good use at a time when Global Warming increasingly calls for designs that use color to aid in passively cooling or heating buildings, creating a sustainable architecture for the 21st century.
Photo from National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)
Photo from National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)
The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Philippines has officially become a member of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Stakeholders’ Chamber on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The NEDA Subcommittee on Sustainable Development Goals inaugurated forty-two (42) member organizations from various sectors dedicated to upholding the SDGs in the Philippines.
The Stakeholders Chamber is a platform for the Government to engage Non-Government partners to improve coordination, alignment and understanding, resource management, ownership and facilitate the emergence of well-aligned partnerships for the achievement of the SDGs. The Chamber is the avenue for policy dialogue, stakeholder mapping, increasing awareness and support for the SDGs. The Philippine National Committee of ICOMOS is the sole member of the Chamber whose global expertise works for the conservation and protection of cultural and natural heritage worldwide. ICOMOS is an advisory group of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and ICOMOS Philippines also holds a seat on the National Committee on Monuments and Sites, of the National Commission of Culture and Arts (NCCA).
The membership will be effective for the Fiscal Year 2022, and subject to renewal. The Board of Trustees appointed Sustainable Development Goals Working Group (SDGWG)’s EnP. Marybeth “Chen” R. Mencias as its Permanent Representative. Ar. Harvey Vasquez and Dr. Laya Boquiren-Gonzales as the Alternate Representatives of ICOMOS Philippines.
Photo prepared by ICOMOS Philippines
EnP. Mencias represented ICOMOS Philippines during the Pledging Ceremony last April 7, 2022, Thursday, at Aboitiz Equity Ventures Head Office, NAC Tower, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
Photo from EnP. Marybeth “Chen” R. Mencias
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, fellow representatives Ar. Harvey Vasquez and Dr. Laya Boquiren-Gonzales attended the Pledging Ceremony remotely.
In January 2021, ICOMOS Philippines appointed National Representatives to ICOMOS International SDGWG eventually establishing the National Sustainable Development Goals Working Group (SDGWG PH). At present, it is now composed of ten (10) ICOMOS members.
The Sustainable Development Goals Working Group of ICOMOS Philippines (SDGWG PH) coordinates ICOMOS response to the 2030 Agenda, through advocacy, policy, and localizing of the SDGs. SDGWG PH looks into the important role of culture and heritage as a driver and enabler of the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda. It believes that Culture and Heritage supports the achievement of all the 17 SDGs. The linkages of Culture and Heritage starts at Target 11.4 to “strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage to make our cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”, but it also enables the achievement of various SDG targets. This belief is anchored from the ICOMOS International Policy Guidance for the Sustainable Development Goals.
SDGWG PH through the PAMANA 2030 (Heritage 2030) Campaign aims to develop a policy guidance document to localize the “ICOMOS International Policy Guidance document for Heritage and Sustainable Development Goals” from 2021 to 2023.
TEAM, 2021-23:
Ar. Kenneth Tua is the Policy Guidance Manager / Task Team Coordinator. With him as Task Team members are LAr. Gabriel Caballero, EnP. Chen Reyes-Mencias, Dr. Laya Boquiren-Gonzales, IDr. Mylene Lising, Ar. Harvey Vasquez, Ar. Claudia Isabelle Montero, and LAr. Cris Justine Ugalino, and as local members are: Ms. April Dopeño and Mr. Nicanor Germono.
In September 2021, the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) and San Miguel Corporation (SMC) signed the Supplemental Toll Operations Agreement (STOA) for the Pasig River Expressway (PAREX), a 19.37-kilometer six-lane, all elevated expressway over the Pasig River as a solution to Manila’s traffic problems.
The Pasig river, and the many historic buildings along its banks are
our heritage. The PAREX sacrifices our river heritage for benefits that
are still unproven, and with impacts that are still unsubstantiated.
Pamanang Pasig is a heritage impact assessment forum on the
Pasig River and heritage buildings along its banks. Experts discuss
the historical, aesthetic and social significance of the river and the
impact the Pasig River Expressway (PAREX) will have on these values.
Experts will also discuss the Impact on traffic, disaster risk
management, health, ecology, and society. Global examples of freeways
constructed over or along riverbanks, now being torn down for more
sustainable and people-centered alternatives, will be presented.
The goal of this forum series is to enable a broader perspective on the PAREX. By providing multidisciplinary and data-driven discussions by experts, we hope to invite more conversations and provide more facts for people to decide if this benefits our city.
The approach, philosophy, and set of design principles for the structural engineering of existing and historic buildings is different from those in conventional structural engineering. The work requires an understanding of original construction systems, the cause and mechanism of failure or safety, and if over the course of decades and centuries the building has settled into a new load path. For this work, research, conditions assessment, and non-destructive testing and modeling are essential. Methods, materials, and designs will be discussed with the perspective of weathering mechanically or chemically well over time, and ensuring longevity of the historic or existing structure. .
Organized by: The Association of Structural Engineers in the Philippines, ICOMOS Philippines, Bakas Pilipinas, Inc., and the De La Salle University GCOE Department of Civil Engineering
