Tag: In Memoriam

In Memoriam

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The ICOMOS Annual Report for 2019 was recently published and its shows the work of the international organisation of ICOMOS and its various National Committees and International Scientific Committees. ICOMOS also remembers the dedicated work of members and colleagues who have passed away during the previous year. A small tribute to Ms Jocelyn Mananghaya, former Trustee of ICOMOS Philippines can be found on page 37 of the annual report. ICOMOS Philippines further recognizes Ms Mananghaya’s contribution to the organization and the advancement of the heritage practice in the Philippines in this tribute.

Maria Joycelyn Bolhayon-Mananghaya

January 1, 1965 – September 17, 2019

ICOMOS Philippines remembers the passing of Architect Maria Joycelyn Bolhayon-Mananghaya who was a former Board of Trustee of the Philippine Committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). Her heritage advocacy was focused on the conservation of the World Heritage Sites in the Philippines and for several years, she served as the National Commission on Culture and the Arts’ (NCCA) consultant for world heritage concerns. Arch. Mananghaya also served as Secretary to the NCCA National Committee on Monuments and Sites from 2011 to 2013 and was part of UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines.

Joy, as she is fondly called by family and friends, had a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of nature, culture and people. She was a member of the ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Cultural Landscapes and was part of the global discourse on world heritage issues. She wrote extensively about the living cultural landscape of the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras and her contributions to the book, “World Heritage: Benefits Beyond Borders” was well recognized by her peers. She undertook expert missions and provided reviews for cultural/natural heritage nominated properties and was designated as the focal point for periodic reporting of world heritage properties in the Philippines.

A graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Architecture, Joy pursued higher education at the Escuela Nacional de Conservación, Restauración y Museografía Manuel del Castillo Negrete in Mexico with a Masters in Architecture Degree. Throughout her life, she generously mentored and nurtured countless students and emerging professionals, many of whom have become respected practitioners of heritage conservation in the Philippines.  Architect Mananghaya’s passion and service continue to inspire us, and we will miss her very much. 

In Memoriam

Augusto F. Villalon

May 31, 1945 – May 5, 2018

Through his tireless advocacy, Arch. Augusto Villalon, former President of ICOMOS Philippines, inspired innumerable heritage conservation practitioners and ordinary citizens alike to protect the national patrimony. Although he was practically a lone voice when he helped introduce heritage conservation to the country some 40 years ago, Arch. Villalon zealously promoted heritage awareness through his writing, speaking, organizing, and campaigning. Publications and countless newspaper articles which he wrote helped mold the national consciousness. Organizations which he helped found, such as the Heritage Conservation Society, generated momentum, as did his years of involvement with both the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and UNESCO’s National Commission of the Philippines. By 2009, the groundswell that he helped create finally led to Republic Act 10066, better known as the Philippines’ Heritage Law.

Arch. Villalon was the bridge between the Philippines and the international heritage conservation community, primarily through his work with ICOMOS. He was President of ICOMOS Philippines for 25 years, was called upon to undertake numerous international missions, and was the moving force behind the inscription of the Philippines’ first five UNESCO World Heritage sites. He was Vice President of the International Committee on Cultural Tourism as well as the International Committee on Vernacular Architecture. He was a founding member of the International Committee on 20th Century Heritage, and he also served in both the Executive and Advisory Committees of the organization. He was so revered worldwide as an elder statesman of the conservation profession that ICOMOS awarded him with an Honorary Membership in 2014, just one of his many prestigious international and local distinctions.

Toti, as he is fondly called by family and friends, effected social change beyond the field of heritage conservation as well. As President of the Gota de Leche Foundation, he helped provide milk and nutrition support to indigent children in Manila—an endeavor to which he passionately dedicated himself.

A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Arch. Augusto Villalon leaves behind a loving family, respectful friends and colleagues around the world, countless grateful mentees, and the well-deserved legacy of being the father of heritage conservation in the Philippines.

In Memoriam

Rene Luis S. Mata

August 25, 1953 – January 30, 2016

Arch. Rene Luis S. Mata, was a beloved educator and heritage advocate who molded a generation of practitioners in the field of architectural restoration, history and theory. He served as Assistant Professor at the University of the Philippines College of Architecture and has taught at the university since 2002.

Arch. Mata was part of the National Committee for Monuments and Sites, National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) for several terms, first in 1992, as a representative of Intramuros Administration, second in 2014 as a representative of Heritage Conservation Society and at the time of his passing, he was the incumbent Vice-Head of the said committee as individual member. Arch Mata also served as Vice President for National Affairs for ICOMOS Philippines under the presidency of Arch. Dominic Galicia. Aside from his many institutional roles, Arch. Mata was involved in several heritage conservation projects for heritage towns like Sariaya, Quezon. He also served as an expert reviewer who did World Heritage mission report for ICOMOS International for the Hidden Christian Sites in Nagasaki, Japan. More information of his publications can be found in the UPCA website.

Jojo, as colleagues will call him, graduated in 2002 as an AECI Scholar at the University of Alcala- Henares in Madrid, Spain, where he took his Masters of Architectural Restoration and Rehabilitation of Patrimony. His graduate research focused on the rehabilitation of the San Agustin Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. He received his undergraduate training in Architecture from the University of the Philippines in 1980.

He was a heritage advocate to the very end, doing an assessment of the historic train stations in Naga and Lucena for possible conservation when he succumbed to a heart atttack. He passed away doing what he enjoyed the most: protecting heritage for future generations. The testimonials of ICOMOS members Dominic Galicia, Ivan Henares, Augusto VIllalon, Patricia Santiago, Tats Rejannte Manahan and Kay Maliliong can be found below.

Jojo is survived by his parents Carmelito P. Mata and Lourdes Sevilla Mata, and his siblings Jennina Elena S. Mata-Joven, Rolando Alberto S. Mata, Ricardo Gabriel Felipe S. Mata, Raphael Vicente S. Mata and Raul Carmelo S. Mata.