ICOMOS Philippines invited to Workshop of Manila’s Cultural Mapping and Inventory

How to balance heritage with the demands of a modern city? In exploring ways to preserve the rich cultural character of Manila, the City Government of Manila invited stakeholders to present their opinions. Among organizations invited was ICOMOS Philippines, represented by Trustee Erik Akpedonu, co-author (with Fernando Zialcita) of “Endangered Splendor: Manila’s Architectural Heritage 1571-1960.
“Manila’s Tourism Stakeholder’s Seminar/Workshop on Cultural Mapping and Inventory” was the Tourism Month celebration, the City Government of Manila’s Department of Tourism, Culture and Arts of Manila (DTCAM), held the last September 22, 2022, at Universidad De Manila.
Mr. Akpedonu proposed a number of legislative measures to better protect built heritage in Manila:

  1. To legislate (by city ordinance or executive order) that the Office of the Building Official, before issuing demolition, renovation, or redevelopment permits, not only cross-check the proposed development site against the list of officially NCCA/NHCP- or LGU-declared heritage structures (as is currently the case), but to also cross-check against a list of PRESUMED IMPORTANT CULTURAL PROPERTIES (buildings 50 years and older, works of National Artists, etc.) as defined by Republic Act 10066 (The Heritage Act) and as compiled by PRECUP and Manila`s own Tourism Office, before issuing such permits;
  2. To make public by online posting the minutes of all official meetings discussing any variations to any existing zoning laws for specific individual constrictions projects (which to date does not seem to be the case); and
  3. To exempt declared heritage structures and Presumed Important Cultural Properties from Property Tax under certain conditions.

The meeting was attended by representatives from Manila`s Tourism Office and Office of the Building Official, barangay chairpersons, various NGOs (e.g., Grupo Kalinangan, SAHTA, ICOMOS PH) and the academe (e.g., Dela Salle University, Mapua University).

Photo from Mr. Erik Akpedonu and ICOMOS Philippines
Photo from Mr. Erik Akpedonu and ICOMOS Philippines
Photo from Mr. Erik Akpedonu and ICOMOS Philippines
Photo from Mr. Erik Akpedonu and ICOMOS Philippines

Mr. Akpedonu is co-author (with Fernando Zialcita) of “Endangered Splendor: Manila’s Architectural Heritage 1571-1960 (Volume 1: The Center)”, a complete compendium of Spanish, American and early independence period structures. The book chronicles the story of Manila’s rise during the galleon trade from a small port to the nation’s capital and the evolution of its heritage architecture. It is also a commentary on the current state of our built heritage, with discussions of current restoration practices, revitalization, and proposed economic uses for its preservation and protection. Book Preview: Facebook Watch

To know more about the book, visit and/or order in this link ➡️ http://bitly.ws/uGqb

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

#ICOMOS #ICOMOSPH #ManilaCultural Heritage #SustainableDevelopmentGoals #LikasKayangPagUnlad #PhilippineHeritage #PAMANA2030

New Intern: Briel Lising (May – August 2021)

Briel Lising graduated with a degree in AB History and a minor in Cultural Heritage from the Ateneo de Manila University in 2017. Since then, she has worked for Saint Pedro Poveda College and the Lopez Museum. Currently, she is teaching college freshmen in the Ateneo  as part of the Department of History. Briel hopes that her internship with ICOMOS will help her gain knowledge and confidence to start a community-based heritage program for the city of Pasig. Through her experience in research and education, as well as a heart for heritage, she hopes to make valuable contributions to the research project with the guidance of her mentors under the ICOMOS Philippines Internship Program.

Briel’s mentors are ICOMOS Expert Members Chen Mencias and Gabriel Caballero. Chen Mencias is a tourism planning consultant who runs her own firm, Blue Water Consultancy and the the primary mentor of the research. Gab Caballero is a Landacape Architect based in Singapore, currently the Focal Point for Sustainable Development Goals of ICOMOS International. Briel will be working with Chen and Gab for research on the Role of Heritage Conservation as a Dimension of Sustainable Tourism in the Philippines.

We look forward to Briel’s contributions, welcome to the team!

Internship Testimonial: Patricia Panganiban, ICOMOS PH Intern 2018

Under the mentorship of Tina Paterno, I had my internship with ICOMOS Philippines in 2018. Together with Sen Roxas, we worked on understanding the state of conservation practices in the country: What sites get conserved? What are the methods being used? With these in mind, we kicked off our baseline research by gathering reports on conservation projects in the country, with emphasis on building typology, regional project distribution, funding, and conservation methodologies and practices.

“The work in ICOMOS Philippines gave me a good starting overview of cultural work being done in the country… The experience that I gained through my research helped prepare me for the challenges that come with setting up a museum, especially the research into an institution’s history.”

From emailing different government agencies, to scouring libraries, and getting access to reports, our work, though arduous, was made more fruitful by the help and insight offered by various ICOMOS Philippines members who willingly shared their experiences, opinions, and suggestion to aid our research. The experience that I gained in my ICOMOS internship has helped prepare me for the challenges of my current work and even beyond.

ICOMOS Philippines’ internship program equipped me with the necessary knowledge and background as I witnessed the work conducted by the National Museum and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. Currently, I am part of the development team of the Nayong Pilipino Foundation’s museum project, Museo ng Nayong Pilipino. Thanks to my ICOMOS experience, I am able to handle the challenges faced as we develop our collection and exhibits.


For interested students and or new graduates who would like to take internship with ICOMOS Philippines, please contact  info@icomosphilippines.com

PROJECT ALEXANDRIA: A baseline study of the government practice and spending on heritage in the Philippines

ICOMOS Philippines’ past and current interns will present respective research. Dr. Victor Venida from the Ateneo de Manila University will be the discussant for this event.

Project Alexandria 28 September 2020 (Monday) | 6:00 PM Philippine Standard Time

CONTRIBUTORS

“Summary of Conservation Projects in the Philippines: The National Museum and the National Historical Commission of the Philippines”

Ms. Patricia Cecille Monica H. Panganiban is graduated with an Erasmus Mundus Masters in Archaeological Sciences from the University of Evora in Portugal, where she specialized in the study of pigments from Ancient Egpytian funerary masks and sarcophagi. Prior to that, she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry and Materials Science and Engineering from the Ateneo de Manila University. She is currently working with the Nayong Pilipino Foundation on the development of the Nayong Pilipino Virtual Museum.

Ms. Ma. Louisen Manuel Roxas is a graduate of BS Human Ecology major in Human Settlements Planning from the University of the Philippines Los Banos, and she is currently pursuing her masters in Urban & Regional Planning at UP Diliman. Currently, she is working as the Training Manager of Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT), an internal NGO focused on humanitarian action & community development through open mapping. 

“Diagnostic Report of The Philippine Registry of Cultural Properties (PRECUP)”

Ms. Carissa Veloso is the current ICOMOS Philippines Secretariat. Before joining ICOMOS Philippines, she was the Business Development Manager for San Sebastian Basilica Conservation, a non-profit restoration foundation based in Manila (2015-2019). She was also the representative of the Philippines for UNESCO’s young professionals program for the 42nd World Heritage Committee Session. She holds a BS Management degree with minors in Cultural Heritage and Entrepreneurship from Ateneo de Manila University.

Ms. Chanelle Custorio is both a registered and licensed chemical engineer and architect. She is an alumni of UP Diliman, worked in the restoration of San Sebastian Basilica, and is now a co-partner for the architecture firm Hiraya Design Studio. She has also attended courses on Management and Monitoring of World Heritage Sites by ICCROM as well as on Conservation of Japanese Textiles by TNRICP.

Mr. Isaiah Cabañero is a graduate of Community Development at the University of the Philippines – Diliman, working with communities and volunteer organizations which gained him experience in community organizing and people-centered participatory project development. He is currently working hand-in-hand with local coffee farming ati communities in Iloilo.

Ms. Ruby Descalzo is a recent graduate of the Ateneo de Manila University, with a degree in Environmental Science and a minor in Cultural Heritage Studies. She previously served as the President of Baybayin Ateneo, a Filipino cultural student organization. She is currently under the mentorship of Claudia Montero, and will be working with Dr. John Peterson as part of her internship.

Mr. Gio Abcede is a graduating BS Architecture student from De La Salle University, College of Saint Benilde. He has worked with One/Zero Design Co. on the Maestranza Creative Quarters project and collaborated with Digiscript Philippines Inc. with mapping presentations for the Intramuros Cultural Management Plan. He is also a core member and graphic designer for the Heritage Conservation Society. He is currently working closely with the Architecture Committee of ICOMOS Philippines, under the tutelage of Dominic Galicia.

DISCUSSANT

Dr. Victor Venida, ICOMOS Philippines member, completed his M.Sc. in economics at the London School of Economics and a PhD in economics at New York University. He completed a specialist course in International Economics, Trade and Finance at the Instituto Nacional de Administracion Publica at Alcala de Henares, Spain. Currently e is a Professor with the Department of Economics and a Lecturer with the European Studies Program, Development Studies Program and the Law School of Ateneo de Manila University.

DETAILS

“Project Alexandria ”,  is scheduled this Monday, September 28, 2020, 6:00 PM (Philippine Standard Time).

To register, you may fill up this form:  bit.ly/projalexandriaguest

The talk is for ICOMOS PH members and invited colleagues.

For interested students or new graduates who would like to take internship with the organization visit: bit.ly/icomosphinternship.

Internship Opportunity for Cultural Heritage Research, in partnership with Fundacion Santiago

Fundacion Santiago and ICOMOS Philippines are looking for 2 research interns to develop first person stories for the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine.

Interns will receive close mentorship in research and interpretation of historic data by a leading heritage expert as they conduct interviews, consolidate data from varying modes of research, and contextualize these into scenarios typical of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and told in first person by those near and dear to Emilio Aguinaldo.

Qualifications. Creative Writing, Theater, Social Sciences, Education, History, Anthropology, Sociology students; or emerging professionals, and graduates looking to gain experience in Heritage Interpretation, who are conscientious in handling important documents and materials; adept in research; comfortable in reading and communicating in Filipino & English; independent worker and team player.

For those interested, kindly send your cover letter and CV to internship.icomosfs@gmail.com on or before October 5, 2018.

Internship Opportunity for Cultural Heritage Research at ICOMOS Philippines

Calling all university students and recent graduates! ICOMOS Philippines is looking for interns who will be part of our cultural heritage research.

Accepted applicants will research on heritage conservation-related studies, reports and ordinances of NGOs, government agencies, and LGUs. Findings from this body of work will help shape ICOMOS Philippines’ future approaches to protect and conserve our heritage.

Requirements. Currently enrolled students in a university or recent graduates are welcome to apply; with research and writing skills, as well as ability to summarize and synthesize data; independent worker and team player; interest in heritage is a plus.

For those interested, kindly send your cover letter and CV to info@icomosphilippines.com on or before March 3, 2018.

IDMS 2017: “Cultural Heritage & Sustainable Tourism” Conference on Redefining Cultural Tourism in the Philippines

IDMS 2017 Conference: Redefining Cultural Tourism in the Philippines
29 April 2017 (Saturday) | 8:30AM-5:30PM (Manila City, Philippines)

In celebration of the 2017 International Day for Monuments and Sites, with the theme: “Cultural Heritage & Sustainable Tourism“, the International Council on Monuments and Sites Philippines will be holding a one-day conference entitled “Redefining Cultural Tourism in the Philippines: Our Stories and Best Practices in the Regions” on April 29 (Saturday), from 8:30AM-5:30PM, at the National Commission for Culture and the Arts Auditorium, Gen. Luna St., Intramuros, Manila City.

The event features experts who will talk about the following:

  • Kara Garilao, “The Role of the Narrative in Local Heritage Tourism
  • Chen Mencias, “How Much is Paradise? Batanes and Its Economic Benefits through Heritage Conservation
  • Tracey Santiago and Mapee Singson, “Saving Sagada: Realities and Recommendations
  • Dominic Galicia and Tina Paterno, “Beginning Sustainable Tourism Efforts in Quiapo and Escolta
  • Augusto Villalon, “Cultural Tourism Projects in Bohol Using Heritage Resources for Tourism
  • Richard Daenos, “Elevating Angeles City as UNESCO Creative City for Gastronomy
  • Charisse Tugade, “Consuming Culture: Authenticity and Responsibility in Heritage-Based Tourist Merchandise
  • Ivan Henares, “Social Media Marketing of Cultural Tourism

Early bird registration is at PHP 1,000 until April 24. On-site registration fee will be PHP 1,200 (PHP 700 for students) inclusive of copies of the abstracts of the presentations and lunch.

For inquiries on the event, kindly contact Ms. Dominique Candi H. Escover at (046) 423 3741 / 0906 973 2310 or via email at nicaescover@icomosphilippines.com.

Managing Disaster Risks for Cultural Heritage and Building Resilience – A Talk by Dr. Rohit Jigyasu

“Managing Disaster Risks for Cultural Heritage and Building Resilience” by Dr. Rohit Jigyasu
28 April 2017 (Friday) | 2PM (Manila City, Philippines)

Bakas Pilipinas and ICOMOS Philippines invite you to a talk by Dr. Rohit Jigyasu, ICOMOS India member and conservation architect and risk management consultant, entitled “Managing Disaster Risks for Cultural Heritage and Building Resilience” on April 28 (Friday), 2PM, at the Mapua Institute of Technology Seminar Room, Muralla St., Intramuros, Manila City.

The event is open to everyone and is FREE ADMISSION.

For inquiries, kindly contact Ms. Nica Escovar at 0906 9732310 or via email at nicaescovar@icomosphilippines.com.