Heritage Watch - Compiled Threads [Archive] - Page 6

LordCarnal

May 11th, 2007, 12:29 PM

The Jesuit House of 1730
(Pari-an, Cebu City)

- According to Fr. Rene Javellana, S.J. this is probably the oldest dated house in the Philippines today.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/JesuitHouseof1730/jesuit_house_02.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/JesuitHouseof1730/jesuit_house_03.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/JesuitHouseof1730/jesuit_house_01.jpg

The Jesuit House of 1730 was once the residence of the Jesuit Superior in Cebu. Right now, it is occupied by a hardware owned by the Sy Family.

When the Jesuits were suppressed in Europe and eventually expelled from the Philippines in 1768, several of their properties were put on sale. This particular residence was bought by a Spanish family, the Alvarez. The Sy family eventually acquired it.

There are actually two houses inside the compound both connected with a bridge. The main house, also referred to as “House A” in previous articles about it, is made all of cut coral stone similar to the Augustinian monastery of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño while the second smaller house (House B) is a bipartite structure of cut coral stone in the lower level and wood in the second level. Both houses still retain the original corbels and stout unhewn wooden posts while the main house still has the original roof made of clay tiles. Iron grills secure the windows at the upper level of House A. A bas-relief medallion bearing the words “Año 1730″ can be found above the portal, in the interior of House A, that leads to the bridge to House B. The flooring on both houses is of hardwood. According to Fr. Rene Javellana, S.J. in his article about this Jesuit residence, House B functioned more of like an azotea where the Jesuits probably spent the afternoon praying alone or was perhaps used for community gathering and recreation. As of now, House B has wooden walls, a ceiling and partitions which were probably just recent additions and not necessarily of 18th century vintage.

Both houses are intact and unlike other structures within or near the Pari-an area like the Casa Parroquial of the Cathedral or the Yap-Sandiego Ancestral House, no major alterations in the structure were recently made. Judging from its condition, this residence can still be rehabilitated to its former grandeur and adaptively reused as a museum similar to what the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (RAFI) did to the Casa Gorordo which is located just two blocks away.

Chinese influences are very much evident both in the interiors and exteriors. For example, in House B the decorative corbels are very much similar to those found in Chinese temples. At House A, the clay-tiled roof slopes in the same manner as those of Chinese pagodas.

http://cebuheritage.wordpress.com

..

Wonderboy

May 11th, 2007, 08:26 PM

Naginit lang ulo ko sa e-mail na ipinadala sa akin kanina. Too late, tinanggal ko nang magisa the other day yung ilang posters at baka bumalik ako mamaya para magtanggal ulit. I can't count on anyone on this issue anymore. Yung mga forward forward na 'yan will take forever. Tama nga yung suggestion nang isa kong colleague. "Do it yourself. Walang kikilos diyan."

Following my previous posting regarding Paco Park desecration, below are some photos that I took last Sunday:

http://img478.imageshack.us/img478/6847/paco1of3ls2.jpg

http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/9492/paco2bj8in0.jpg

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/7123/paco3oh6re1.jpg

I went to Paco Park last Sunday, April 29 and was surprised to see campaign billboards and posters plastered on its walls. This is a desecration and utter disregard of a historic site's significance. I hope NGOs like HCS and other national government agencies like the NHI can do something about this. It is also important to advise these candidates running for the national elections to inform their people manning the posting of their campaign materials to respect these historical structures.

* Names removed for privacy.

May 05, 2007

Dear Mr. ***,

Greetings from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA)!

Thank you for your email of May 02, 2007 transmitting to this Commission your impression and suggestion on the campaign billboards and posters plastered on the walls of Paco Park .

We have forwarded your email to this Commission’s Subcommission on Cultural Heritage, the Executive Director of the National Historical Institute (NHI) and the President and Chairperson of the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) for their appropriate action.

Sincerely,

*****

ivanhenares

May 13th, 2007, 02:45 AM

^^ HCS for appropriate action?! It's their mandate to do that! They seem to be treating HCS like another government agency now. Jeff, please p-mail me who sent you that letter. Di din ako natuwa sa sagot ng NCCA.

MNL

May 13th, 2007, 08:37 AM

Kulay puti na siya ngayon.. Guys, what do you like more? the white or yellow ?
http://img102.imageshack.us/img102/8123/44285826c7bf59eb99iu7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/4687/107996865219d1dd7a1wb4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/553/1192968689ce38bc775if3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/2451/48146452860c1c52f50jk3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/6787/469549404498336e126rl7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/8241/4030294230b7837ed7fxy2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
^^ the side
http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/2908/4349909371e1374d54elg5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/3921/3955041443b9ae0e99bgs6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
^^at night

Wonderboy

May 13th, 2007, 10:33 AM

Animo

May 14th, 2007, 11:23 PM

http://www.malaya.com.ph/may14/images/travpic.jpg

TACLOBAN, Leyte—To kick off the longest fiesta, the Philippine Heritage Month, the Department of Tourism and National Commission for the Culture and the Arts, last week hosted a tour of Leyte.

The heritage tour lined up the old churches of Leyte and showed the possibilities of using them as venues for cultural activities.
The National Heritage Month is celebrated every month of May.
After 4 years of designing, coordinating and , planning month-long heritage celebrations Filipino Heritage Festival Inc. gears for its 5th and longest planned fiesta.

The focus this year is on "The Tradition of the Bamboo," after having discovered that almost all our provinces have cuisine, music, and dances related to the bamboo.

But for Leyte, the biggest come-on are the churches.
Palo, 12 kilometers from Tacloban, is considered as the seat of Catholicism in the province. The offices of the ecclesiastical government of Archdiocese of Palo, the archbishop’s residence, as well as the secondary, tertiary and theology seminaries of the archdiocese are all located in Palo.
The Cathedral of Our Lord’s Transfiguration was built in 1596, shortly after the Jesuits came in 1595.

The hand-carved retablo (altar) was shipped from Spain in the 1700s and was assembled and enhanced by local craftsmen. Now, the altar is painted in gold, with some portions in gold-leaf.

Approximately eighteen (18) kilometers south of Tacloban, Tanauan has been adjudged as the 2006 Most Business-Friendly Municipality in the Philippines (National Winner) and as an Area Winner for the Visayas.

Tanauan is also known as the home of the National Skimboarding Competition, held every Easter Sunday and participated in by local and international riders.

A must-see place in Tanauan is the Parish Church of Our Lady of Assumption.
Although newly-restored, the brick walls of the rectory, the pulpit and fortress ruins are still part of the original church.

Most noteworthy is the Spanish terra cotta Via Dolorosa.
Dulag is one the largest coastal towns on the east coast of Leyte Island facing Leyte Gulf out into the Pacific Ocean.

It is also one of the oldest towns Christianized in Leyte that dates back to 1595. The town is the site where the US flag was first raised in the Philippines during the WW II.

At the center of the town lies its most prominent historical spot, the 1595 Jesuit Seminary Ruins where the Our Lady of Refuge Parish Church is presently located.

The ruins typifies the historical transformation from Spanish Time to Liberation and post Liberation Period.

At this site in 1595 was established Leyte’s first exclusive, religious Jesuit School. Started as a boarding school, it was converted into a dormitory and chapel in 1901 and was given full government support by Spain’s Royal Decree of 1607.

Concrete construction of the church and convent took place in the 1700’s, was taken over by the Augustinian friars in 1768 and by the Franciscans in 1800’s.

The municipality of Baybay in the province of Leyte must have originated as a little pagan tribe with natives scattered from the seashore and over the hills before the Spaniards came Baybay is also known for its numerous heritage houses and the Immaculate Conception Parish Church originally built 157 years ago.

According to historical data, the church was originally a wooden chapel before local builders decided to build a more sturdy building in 1850.
Although it has undergone several renovations, the sacristy, high altar, pulpit, communion rails and baptistry are still original.

The municipality of Hilongos is located in the southwestern part of the province of Leyte facing the Camotes Sea. It is situated 146 kms. from Tacloban City.

Several years before the 12th century, a nomadic tribe from Iloilo came to the place by accident as they were pursued by some warlike Malayan sailors. This place has been called "Ilong" an adoption based obviously on the name of the Ilongot tribe.

Other stories, however, had claimed that Hilongos is a corruption of the words "ilong and lomos", the later referring to the frequent drownings at the nearby Salog river.

Hilongos boasts of the 17th century church and "cota" (fort) located in the heart of the urban center.

This "cota" or fort is only one of the six existing fort in the country, according to the records available at the National Historical Institute.
Historians say that in the mid-1900s, local church officials wanted to renovate the original church. Having found some major structural defects, they decided instead to tear down major portions of the church and build a new one.

What now remains of the original church is the baptistry, the facade and the bell tower.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/may14/trav1.htm

habagatcentral1

May 15th, 2007, 01:58 PM

A few stands through the test of time...

The Historic Calle Real de Iloilo
The old downtown of Iloilo City

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Calle%20Real%20Iloilo/CalleReal00021.jpg

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Calle%20Real%20Iloilo/CalleReal00022.jpg

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Calle%20Real%20Iloilo/CalleReal00023.jpg

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Calle%20Real%20Iloilo/CalleReal00024.jpg
Javellana in detail

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Calle%20Real%20Iloilo/CalleReal00025.jpg
Ventana de Iloilo Trading Bldg

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Calle%20Real%20Iloilo/CalleReal00026.jpg
The Three Golden Oldies (Cine Palace/Regent, Iloilo Trading Bldg & Javellana Bldg)

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Calle%20Real%20Iloilo/CalleReal00027.jpg
Plaza Libertad - The plaza that witnessed the sunset of the Spanish Empire in Asia. It was here in X'mas day 1898 when Gov-Gen Del Primo surrendered to the Ilonggo revolucionarios.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Calle%20Real%20Iloilo/CalleReal00028.jpg
Masonic Lodge (1928)

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Calle%20Real%20Iloilo/CalleReal00029.jpg
Hotel Iloilo

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Calle%20Real%20Iloilo/Image00064.jpg
Iglesia de San Jose de Placer & Lacson Ancestral House

more of Iloilo next time... :)

habagatcentral1

May 15th, 2007, 01:59 PM

The Historic Calle Real de Iloilo
The old downtown of Iloilo City

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Calle%20Real%20Iloilo/CalleReal00001.jpg
Javellana Building marker

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Calle%20Real%20Iloilo/CalleReal00002.jpg

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Calle%20Real%20Iloilo/CalleReal00003.jpg
Villanueva Building (Aldeguer-JM Basa) in the Afternoon

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Calle%20Real%20Iloilo/CalleReal00004.jpg
Ruins of Botica Lacson

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Calle%20Real%20Iloilo/CalleReal00005.jpg
Calle Ledesma

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Calle%20Real%20Iloilo/CalleReal00006.jpg
Villanueva Bldg (Calle Ledesma)

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Calle%20Real%20Iloilo/CalleReal00007.jpg
Celso Ledesma (Calle Iznart)

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Calle%20Real%20Iloilo/CalleReal00010.jpg
S.Villanueva Bldg (Art Deco) in Calle J.De Leon

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Calle%20Real%20Iloilo/CalleReal00011.jpg
Iloilo City Public Market (Calle Rizal canto Calle Iznart)

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Calle%20Real%20Iloilo/CalleReal00012.jpg
Calle Iznart y Estatua de Maria Clara

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Calle%20Real%20Iloilo/CalleReal00013.jpg
Plaza Libertad Lamp Posts

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Calle%20Real%20Iloilo/CalleReal00014.jpg
Buenos Diaz Calle Real!

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Calle%20Real%20Iloilo/CalleReal00015.jpg
Javellana Bldg & the first branch of Sarabia Optical

As of this moment, the local government's efforts in preserving it are on the way. According to ICCHCC, they are already in the inventory stage where they would enumerate numerous heritage structures all over the downtown area of Iloilo City. Currently, their efforts are eyed on the Calle Real area where there are more heritage structures still exist within the area which is not shown in the pictures along JM Basa, Aldeguer, Guanco, Mapa, Iznart, Arsenal, Muelle Loney, De la Rama, Santo Rosario, Gen. Hughes & Ledesma Streets.

Despite the age of the buildings, people still use these structures as commercial establishments or institutional in use and IS STILL the commercial hub of Iloilo and Panay island.

ivanhenares

May 15th, 2007, 11:22 PM

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Calle%20Real%20Iloilo/Image00064.jpg
Iglesia de San Jose de Placer & Lacson Ancestral House

This is what I was referring to... the new city hall is too tall and would overpower this assemblage of heritage structures across the plaza.

habagatcentral1

May 18th, 2007, 12:47 PM

Iloilo City Heritage Sites (as of May 2006)
u6CHw7n03wA

Acknowledgements to: Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council, City Gov't of Iloilo, Mr. Roni Peñalosa, Ms. Ruth Prado & Mr. Ben Jimena.

Produced by ICCHCC, LGU of Iloilo City, Canurb, ABSCBN and the private and educational sectors

ThisFire

May 18th, 2007, 02:45 PM

WOW I admire Ilolio City for doing what they've done. That's what I have always believed in and what I've posted before - the need to restore and maintain the old historical buildings while continuing their run of having businesses and "mom & pop shops" on the main floor/bottom. Maybe even having apartment rooms at the top for living in. Not only this, but even making new buildings, though with the similar models of the original buildings. Like a re-creation. And for also keeping the street name original, like using "Calle." Also, that picture of the oldest house is incredible. It really looks like a house in Spain. Not necessarily from only the past, but even from it's provinces and pueblos today.

Rence

May 18th, 2007, 03:58 PM

^^ One thing I learned in heritage preservation is that while choosing the right color for a particular structure is important, what matters more is that it is still being used, preserved, and protected (and I mean protected by law so that it will not be altered/ demolished). So even if they paint it neon green or hot pink, so long as they do not touch the structure itself, I'm cool with that. Paint can be scraped off but one can never bring back the exact same thing in its original form.

White is fine with me. But they should clean the facade at least on a monthly basis because the city hall can accumulate grime and dirt in no time (I'm talking in the literal sense but please feel free to take it figuratively).

Hi, I think it should be the original paint but some paint suppliers siad that original paint colors 50 years or so are sometimes no longer being manufactured ! With the change in Manila administration (Mayor Alfredo Lim and Isko Moreno winning ) I hope the conservation of historical structures within Manila should be given more attention rather than facelifting

Chrismag

May 19th, 2007, 01:30 PM

I don't know in how far you have a technical/ scientific insight in these conservation/ renovation/ restoration things, but here are some extracts from official speakers of the "palitada" workshop in San Agustin, May 17-18:

•An engineer on the analysis of a lime mortar:
"...we weren't able to trace the binder."
What did they expect (else) then lime (or a transformed Calcium-derivat)?

•A chem. engineer on the retouch of a stone baptistery:
"For reversability we added a PVA (Poly-vinyl-acetate, a binder in some modern paints) solution to the putty, because it is a localy available, waterbased ("as if there were such things!!") binder."
I wonder, what a chemist does know of paint and paint-technoligy? Besides there would have been easier ways to do the same job, even with localy available materials. ...if only he/ they knew about that.

•An architect on the chosen contractor to the works in the San Agustin courtyard. (I asked earlier another architect, where you get skilled and experienced laborers and craftsmen in the Philippines):
"The contractor is new in heritage/ conservation, but he promised to send only his skilled laborers. (what does skilled mean in this case?) Also the supervising architect was throughly instructed by NCCA and NHI."
And the laborers? Did the architect forward the "indeep instruction" as indeep to the laborers?

•An architect on the the skill of the constructional labor force and the expertise and knowledge of the NCCA, NHI-officers/-members on what they about palitada and spec. it's application:
"Our workforce is skilled, even without haveing certificates on their exact skills. (How's that?)
... They are i.e. trained in Vigan. (How many of them do work i.e. here in/ on San Agustin and how intensive might that training be?)... We have an excelent academic training here in the Philippines and (some others) also have additional courses and degrees on restoration and related topics i.e. in the US and elswhere"
My question on why they (the skilled laborers) then still make obvious mistakes was blocked.

•Ambeth Ocampo, in the closing speach of the seminar:
"We have all necesscary eperts and expertises and therefor do not need help from foreign countries or other (non-filipino?) outsiders."
Ah, ...jjjaa!

Quote from a restoration "expert" outside this seminar and already some time ago, without knowing any details on some material and eventhough here opinion was neither seeked, nore requested or even necessarcy:
"That material (imported paint for a renovated! church facade) has never been tested here in the Philippines and therefor! cannot be workable."
...

jbkayaker12

May 20th, 2007, 10:11 AM

habagatcentral1

May 20th, 2007, 12:35 PM

Local officials in IloIlo need to pass an ordinance banning large signs on the building itself and only allow small signs at the entrance of the establishments. These large signs aside from the electrical wires are an eyesore. I noticed on the pictures there are signs on the building and then a smaller one on the entrance.

Regarding the signs, they are primarily targeting tarpaulin billboards right now.

According to ICCHCC, the LGU of Iloilo has already the the guidelines regarding the sign posts. It has not yet been implemented since they are still revising some sections of the guidelines.

If you want to read the guidelines that was drafted last year, click here (http://www.philippines.canurb.com/callereal/guidelines.pdf). :)

LordCarnal

May 20th, 2007, 04:02 PM

I tried to make a Philippine Heritage Forums..

Try it out guys, http://philheritage.informe.com

..

penmanila

May 20th, 2007, 06:27 PM

i was taking my usual sunday afternoon walk around the UP oval today when i chanced upon a very unusual sight: some of the bells of the UP carillon tower had been taken down--i suppose, for the restoration project that the carillon has long been waiting for. here are a couple of pictures i took with my phone camera, and a short piece i wrote some time ago on the carillon itself. please feel free to correct any error i may have made in the piece.

http://homepage.mac.com/jdalisay/blog/user_files/carillon-small.jpg

for a couple more pics of the bells, please visit my blog at

http://homepage.mac.com/jdalisay/blog/MyBlog.html#ghm201370308

THE UP CARILLON: THE VOICE OF THE ALUMNI SPIRIT
By Jose Dalisay Jr., PhD

With the possible exception of the Oblation statue, nothing symbolizes the University of the Philippines more than the 130-foot Carillon Tower—a structure unlike any other in Diliman, a ringing echo of the university’s glorious past.

Built in 1952 at a cost of some P200,000, the carillon has serenaded generations of UP students, teachers, employees, and campus residents with its sweet cascade of chimes, rising above the early morning mist and attending the fall of twilight in the afternoon. From UP Beloved and Planting Rice to the Beatles tunes and The Internationale of later years, the carillon grew with the times, and itself grew timeless, marking the same hours of different days as if to remind the listener that some things never changed—love, honor, idealism, the joy and the challenge of learning beneath the broad canopy of a university life.

It was a musical instrument—to be technical about it, an assemblage of 46 tuned bells sounded by hammers, controlled from a keyboard or clockwork mechanism—whose player we never saw, a perfect surrender of the person to the music. What was important was for the bells to be heard, for the listeners to be reassured that there was order in their universe—and not just order but beauty and pleasure, especially at the beginning and at the end of a long day.

When it played, the carillon charmed us without the boisterousness of a brass band or the self-absorbed intensity of a piano; its delight lay precisely in its distance. It was a soothing voice over your shoulder, a scattering of happy notes in the vagrant wind. The carillon could be heard in all corners of the campus, from classroom to laboratory to janitorial closet. It was solace democratized.

But lately it has fallen silent once again, ravaged by age and neglect. The tower itself is firm and robust, as are the Holland-made bronze bells, but the wires and wooden levers of the keyboard have crumbled over time. The last time the bells were played was at the Lantern Parade in 1988, and since then the structure has been used as a stockroom, an art studio, and for various other purposes. Previous restoration efforts fell short of the funds needed for a complete overhaul.

It’s a sad slide from the dream of the National Artist for Architecture Juan F. Nakpil and UP Music Conservatory director Ramon Tapales, who—along with UP President Bienvenido Gonzalez—had conceived of the carillon as early as 1940. It took the UP Alumni Association to realize that dream, mobilizing mightily to build the tower and buy and install the bells. On August 1, 1952, according to the UP Bulletin, the carillon “was dedicated as a memorial to the spirit of the UP alumni, living and dead.”

It’s the voice of that spirit that must have whispered in our ear when the bells of Diliman last played—and which we hope to hear again, once this proud tower of music is finally restored.

Lili

May 20th, 2007, 08:13 PM

^ Wow, that has been a long time since the Carillon bells were played. So, the restoration project is now under way? I should have read about this earlier so that I could have been more active in the UP Alumni Association and efforts to raise funds to restore the revered Carillon so that we and future UPians will be able to listen to the sweet carillon music once again. It should never have been allowed to fall into desuetude.

Pinoy_ako

May 21st, 2007, 05:58 AM

^^

There are reports that the projected "restoration" may not be one that will restore the quality of the sound the way it was in 1952, due to the amount of funds needed for the job. At least, the carillon will once again be heard.

Wonderboy

May 21st, 2007, 03:57 PM

Animo

May 24th, 2007, 11:43 PM

Ilagan celebrates fiesta in newly restored church
By Josephine Darang
Inquirer
Last updated 07:01am (Mla time) 05/13/2007

MANILA, Philippines - Parishioners of St. Ferdinand de Castille Church in Ilagan, Isabela will celebrate Novena Masses May 21-29 in preparation for the fiesta, May 30.

This year's fiesta is joyous, as the old church has been completely restored.
Architect Susan Castillo, known for her beautiful liturgical designs, did the restoration with the help of Rolando Malanon. Also involved were Albert Paloma, altar design; engineer Reynaldo Ramos, pre-cast work; engineer Noel Jose, civil engineering work; Teddy Hilado, lights; and Francisco Vecin, crucifix for the main altar.

In his book "Cagayan Valley and Eastern Cordilleras (l58l-l898)," Fr. Pedro Salgado, O.P., said the church tower was of Spanish vintage and the church bell was dated 1786. He said the town of Bolo (Ilagan's old name), founded in 1619, was destroyed by a rebellion in 1621. After it was reestablished by Fr. Pedro Jimenez in 1678, Dominican missionaries put up a provincial chapter in 1686, calling it St. Ferdinand of Ilagan for St. Ferdinand of Castille. "Ilagan" means "transferred" in Ibanag, as the town was moved from its old place to where it is now.

Parish priest Fr. Roseller Lora will lead parishioners in reflecting on the different aspects of the faith, the fiesta theme. Msgr. Daniel Guiyab, parish priest and rector of Our Lady of the Visitation Shrine in Guibang, Isabela, will officiate at the fiesta Mass at 8:30 a.m., May 30.

http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view_article.php?article_id=65618

^^ Does anyone have a photo about this restored church? Thank you.

jbkayaker12

May 26th, 2007, 11:53 AM

Regarding the signs, they are primarily targeting tarpaulin billboards right now.

According to ICCHCC, the LGU of Iloilo has already the the guidelines regarding the sign posts. It has not yet been implemented since they are still revising some sections of the guidelines.

If you want to read the guidelines that was drafted last year, click here (http://www.philippines.canurb.com/callereal/guidelines.pdf). :)

I'll go ahead print and read it, thanks. Dito sa Las Vegas and in other areas sa Arizona, yong new developments bawal ang malalaking sign na mataas dapat lang nasa ground at eye level pero it might be hard to do that in IloIlo kasi you need sidewalks. May mga sidewalks ba diyan unlike sa Metro Manila?

Also with having signs attached on the buildings it destroys the facade. Mukang maraming heritage structures diyan sa inyo. Goodluck with the preservation.:)

habagatcentral1

May 27th, 2007, 04:19 PM

I'll go ahead print and read it, thanks. Dito sa Las Vegas and in other areas sa Arizona, yong new developments bawal ang malalaking sign na mataas dapat lang nasa ground at eye level pero it might be hard to do that in IloIlo kasi you need sidewalks. May mga sidewalks ba diyan unlike sa Metro Manila?

Also with having signs attached on the buildings it destroys the facade. Mukang maraming heritage structures diyan sa inyo. Goodluck with the preservation.:)

Meron din namang sidewalks pero nasasakupan na ng mga buildings ang ilalim. Mahirap ng gumawa ng sidewalks since the width of the roads has been like that since the Spanish Colonial era.

Calle Real de Iloilo
by Bernardo Arellano III
http://www.habagat.i.ph/photo/calliope.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1557 (http://www.habagat.i.ph/photo/483/1555)
Time stood still amidst the hustle and bustle of downtown traffic of modernity. Decades old establishments still stand against the test of time, reflecting the glorious days of commerce and trade of what was then, the Queen City of the South.
[/URL][URL="http://habagatcentral.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/43/31.JPG?xurl=%2Fphotos%2Fphoto%2F43%2F31.JPG"] (http://www.habagat.i.ph/photo/calliope.php?g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=1555)From its humble beginnings as a fishing community along the swampy riverside, Iloilo grew up to be one of Philippine's premier cities when in 1855, the Spanish colonial government opened the sea port of Iloilo to international trade, and with the introduction of modern sugar farming by the British Vice-Consul Nicolas Loney. Calle Real is the manifestation of Iloilo's glorious past. The street itself is a museum of old edifices that survived the onslaught of war, elements and time.
Old establishments still stand up to this very moment, still vibrant with commercial and vehicular traffic. JM Basa Street (and also Iznart St.), or known popularly as Calle Real is referred as the "Escolta" of Iloilo City. Named "Calle Real" or "Royal Street", it spans from Plaza Alfonso XII (now known as Plaza Libertad) all the way to Plazoleta Gay and the location of commercial establishments, the Casa Real (Iloilo Provincial Capitol) as well as the residences of the Ilonggo elite.
Reclaimed from the swamps, the street became the central business district since the opening of the city to international trade, it has experienced construction boom while riding along with the economic reaping of harvest from the sugar trade. Most of the commercial and residential establishments are of one or two-story buildings which display European and American of the late 19th and early 20th century influence such as art-nouveau, art-deco, baroque, Venetian-inspired or platoresque. The first levels are used as shops or stores and the second level are used as either offices but mostly as residential spaces.
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Calle%20Real%20Iloilo/CalleReal00026.jpg (http://photobucket.com/) http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Calle%20Real%20Iloilo/CalleReal00019.jpg (http://photobucket.com/)

Most of the heritage buildings were constructed during the late Spanish colonial era all the way to the 1930’s, which made this street the shopping district and a center for commerce and entertainment of the region. The first department store in the region is also located here which was owned by an Englishman Henry Hoskyn, nephew of Nicholas Loney.
The Elizalde and Company building, which is now the City Hall Annex, used to sell foodstuffs and benefited from the sugar trade, manifested its plateresque architecture with the usual balay-nga-bato feature of stone walls in the first level and wood in the second level of the establishment. Cine Palace (1928) and Cine Eagle, which are, located just a few meters away from Plaza Libertad, were once the witnesses to bodabil, theatrical plays and movies, one of the most modern cinemas outside Manila during the early 20th century.
The Masonic Temple on the other hand was once Iloilo Lodge No. 11 was finished in 1928 that faced the Catholic Church of San Jose de Placer across Plaza Libertad and it was made a headquarters of the Japanese Imperial forces for Iloilo.
On the southern end of Calle Real lies Plaza Libertad, formerly known as Plaza Alfonso XII. Surrounded by the old buildings such as the Masonic Temple, Lacson Ancestral House, the ruins of Botica Lacson and Iglesia de San Jose de Placer, it has been the witness of the dusk of the Spanish power in Asia as the last Spanish Governor General Diego de los Rios surrendered to the Ilonggo revolutionaries led by General Martin Delgado in Christmas Day 1898. Iloilo was the last Spanish colonial capital in the Philippines after they have surrendered Manila to the Americans in August 1898.
On the northern end of the street are the Casa Real (Royal House) or the Iloilo Provincial Capitol and Arroyo Fountain. The former was built from wood and stone in 1840, which features Greek columns dominate the facade. The once flagpole in front of the Casa Real was torn down in 1927 to give way to Arroyo Fountain, with its caryatids carrying a basin with fish gargoyles that sprout water. The fountain was dedicated to Senator Jose Maria Arroyo who created the Iloilo Metropolitan Water Works. (http://photobucket.com/)
http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Iloilo%20and%20Negros/DSCF0467.jpg
Commonwealth-era establishments lined up not just the main street of Calle Real, but also its branches of Aldeguer, Iznart and Guanco Streets. The Public Market of Iloilo for example displays predominantly of art deco in design. But damages from wear and tear of the time, World War II, the great earthquake of 1948 and the the big conflagration in the downtown area has left the old buildings to be neglected, mismanaged and left to decay. In April 2000, the Local Cultural Conservation Ordinance was enacted by the City Government of Iloilo to prevent further destruction of heritage sites in the city, preservation of the establishments and to be reused again for commercial, tourism, educational or institutional functions.
(http://photobucket.com/)
The ICCHCC or Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council is the overseer of the heritage conservation efforts in the Calle Real area. Today, educating the citizens and efforts from the building owners themselves for preserving or restoration the cultural heritage structures of the establishments has been gradually being implemented. As these old edifices of art and labor stands mute against time and the noise of the city, the edifices of Calle Real has shared its experiences with the Ilonggo people, from the glories to tragedies. The legacies that the old Iloilo left, reminded every Ilonggos of its regal past and its contribution to history of the Filipino people.
_____________________________________
Acknowledgement to Center for West Visayan Studies (UP Visayas), Prof. Henry Funtecha and Prof. Melanie Padilla, Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council, Mr. Butch Peñalosa, Mr. Scott Sarria and Museo Iloilo.

Source: Cebu Daily News 26 May 2007.

Lili

May 27th, 2007, 10:51 PM

^^ Great posting @Bernie. Even your narrative transported me there in your heritage-rich native Iloilo.

Wonderboy

May 28th, 2007, 03:52 PM

^ Oh wow. Excellent post, Berniemacksouthcentr. You have documented all the major heritage/ historical sites in Iloilo. Please keep it up!

Pinoy_ako

June 3rd, 2007, 01:05 PM

News & EventsNews Archive
Committee to review 45 candidates for inscription on UNESCO’s World Heritage List
Friday, June 1, 2007

The World Heritage Committee will consider requests for the inscription of 45 new sites on UNESCO's World Heritage List when it meets for its 31st session in Christchurch, New Zealand, from 23 June to 2 July.*
During the session, the Committee will also examine a strategy to reduce risks from disasters at World Heritage properties; the impact of climate change on World Heritage sites; and the concept of "outstanding universal value" which is the basis for the inscription of sites on the World Heritage List.

Accredited journalists will be able to attend the opening ceremony of the 31st session (23 June, 3 p.m.) which will start with a Powhiri traditional Maori ceremony. The opening will feature addresses by Helen Clark, Prime Minister of New Zealand; Koïchiro Matsuura, Director-General of UNESCO; Zhang Xinsheng, Chairman of UNESCO's Executive Board; and the Chair of the World Heritage Committee, Tumu Te Heuheu, paramount chief of Ngati Tuwharetoa and a Ministerial appointment to New Zealand's Historic Places Trust Board and Maori Heritage Council.

The 45 sites to be considered for inscription this year include 11 natural sites, one of which is an extension, 32 cultural sites, and two mixed sites. A total of 39 countries are presenting sites for inscription this year: Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Greece, India, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Mexico, Namibia, Philippines, Poland, Republic of Korea, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and Vietnam. Two of the sites presented this year are transnational.

The state of conservation of the 31 World Heritage sites inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger will be examined during the session and the Committee may decide to add new sites to that list of properties whose preservation require special attention. Included on the Danger list are sites which are threatened by a variety of problems such as natural disasters, pillaging, pollution, and poorly managed mass tourism.

A working session will be devoted to the state of conservation of the World Heritage site of the Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls and in particular on the archaeological excavations at the Mughrabi ascent.

To date, UNESCO's 1972 Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage protects 830 properties of "outstanding universal value," including 644 cultural, 162 natural and 24 mixed properties in 139 States Parties.

The Convention encourages international cooperation to safeguard the common heritage of humanity. With 184 States Parties, it is one of the most widely ratified international legal instruments. When they sign the Convention, States Parties commit to preserve sites on the World Heritage List, as well as sites of national and regional importance, notably by providing an appropriate legal and regulatory framework.

The World Heritage Committee is comprised of representatives of 21 countries, elected by the States Parties for up to six years. Each year, the Committee adds new sites to the List. The sites are proposed by the States Parties. Applications are then reviewed by two advisory bodies: cultural sites by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), and natural sites by the World Conservation Union (UICN). The International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Conservation of Cultural Heritage (ICCROM) provides expert advice on conservation and training in restoration techniques.

The World Heritage Committee is responsible for the implementation of the 1972 Convention. It examines reports on the state of conservation of the inscribed sites and asks States Parties to take measures when necessary. The Committee supervises the disbursement of over $4 million per annum from the World Heritage Fund, aimed at emergency action, training of experts and encouraging technical cooperation. UNESCO's World Heritage Centre is the Secretariat of the World Heritage Committee.

The Committee's debates are not open to the press, but journalists will be briefed about progress during press conferences, the first of which will take place on Sunday, 24 June at 2 p.m. Subsequently, press conferences will be held almost daily at the same time (check notice board in media centre for confirmation).

Contacts
Gina Doubleday
Joanna Serna-Sullivan
Roni Amelan

^^

I hope the extension for the natural site will be for the Tubbataha Reef Natural Park. This park was expanded last year to include the Jessie Beazley Reef, making the park three times bigger. Sana meron pang naka-line-up for the Philippines, Batanes kaya? UNESCO limited the nominations to a single entry for each country, excluding extensions and pending inscriptions.

Askal82

June 3rd, 2007, 09:52 PM

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h291/berniemacksouthcentral/Calle%20Real%20Iloilo/CalleReal00015.jpg
Javellana Bldg & the first branch of Sarabia Optical

As of this moment, the local government's efforts in preserving it are on the way. According to ICCHCC, they are already in the inventory stage where they would enumerate numerous heritage structures all over the downtown area of Iloilo City. Currently, their efforts are eyed on the Calle Real area where there are more heritage structures still exist within the area which is not shown in the pictures along JM Basa, Aldeguer, Guanco, Mapa, Iznart, Arsenal, Muelle Loney, De la Rama, Santo Rosario, Gen. Hughes & Ledesma Streets.

Despite the age of the buildings, people still use these structures as commercial establishments or institutional in use and IS STILL the commercial hub of Iloilo and Panay island.

When I look at this photo, I imagine how beautiful this place will be with less wires and those unsightly structures of rusty roofs at the background. They should replace them with clay tiles to reflect the architectural style of the district. It will look like somewhere in Europe.

Louman

June 4th, 2007, 06:21 AM

^^ Too bad all those power lines kinda ruined the picture. Anyone wanna photoshop the power lines out of the photo?

habagatcentral1

June 4th, 2007, 11:42 AM

^^ Too bad all those power lines kinda ruined the picture. Anyone wanna photoshop the power lines out of the photo?

Ang hirap i-Photoshop nyan para sa isang amateur na tulad ko, hehehe!!! :lol:

Yes, the wires ruined the view. The sad part is that the electric utility distributor has no budget for it as of this moment. Transferring the cables in subterranean lair would entail big costs and may be interrupting businesses in the downtown area.

But there is still hope in burying those irritating spag wires.

Animo

June 4th, 2007, 06:42 PM

Please forward to your friends and relatives

Dear Friends,

The Save the Ifugao Terraces Movement (SITMo) invites you to join the Rice Harvest Tour in Mayoyao, a scenic town in the east of Ifugao Province.

The tour is organized by the Pochon Group, a member organization of SITMo. It will complete the Rice Terraces Cycle Tours, started by SITMo in August 2006.

Bakle'd Kiangan (thanksgiving festival) – August 26-27, 2006 with 87 participants

Lodah (rice terraces restoration tour) – October 27-29, 2006 with 27 participants

Tunod Ad Hungduan (rice terraces planting tour) – January 19-22, 2007 with 57participants

Tagtag Ad Asipulo (ritual to protect the rice crop) – April 5-8, 2007, with 19 participants

And now, the Bfoto' Ad Majawjaw Tour on June 22-24, 2007.

SITMo's Eco-Cultural Tours, including the rice terraces cycle tours, offers a different experience to tourists. They will not just see the majestic Ifugao Rice Terraces (IRT), but actually experience working on them and observe the rich Ifugao culture that has nurtured the IRT for thousands of years. Through the tours they will also see the rich natural heritage of Ifugao.

The tours also bring the benefit of tourism to the communities and the people that have worked to preserve this World Heritage.

Join SITMo's Eco-Cultural Tours!

Join Bfoto' Ad Majawjaw Tour!

And help save the Ifugao Rice Terraces!

Very truly yours,

TEDDY B. BAGUILAT, JR.
President, SITMo

Animo

June 4th, 2007, 06:44 PM

Friends,

The Pochon Group is inviting you to join the Bfoto' Ad Majawjaw Tour (Rice Harvest in Mayoyao Tour) this coming June 22-24, 2007, Mayoyao, Ifugao. Still part of the Group's advocacy to help maintain and preserve our cultural heritage, the Bfoto' Tour is among the tours that the Pochon Group is organizing as its contribution to preserving the Mayoyao Rice Terraces. Part of the proceeds of the tour goes to the heritage trust fund to help the Mayoyao People promote their indigenous culture.

The Bfoto' Tour brings the participants to experience rice harvest with the Mayoyao community; witness the showcasing of the Mayoyao Native dances and Ethnic Ensemble during the Cultural Night; explore one of the mythical falls of Mayoyao, the O'phaw Mahencha (Leap of Mahencha) falls, trek one of its lush forests, and a chance for shopping at the Banaue Town Center.

Please support this tour as it helps the Mayoyao Community by bringing in tourism income and encouraging community participation in the conservation and restoration of their ancestral domain.

Thank you very much.

Yours truly,

JOAN SHEELAH O. NALLIW
Pochon Group President

Click on this link for a glimpse of Mayoyao.

http://josh21020.multiply.com/photos/album/13?mark_read=josh21020:photos:13

BFOTO' AD MAJAWJAW TOUR PACKAGE

June 22-24, 2007

Mayoyao, Ifugao

Package Cost: Php3, 500

Inclusions:

Transportation within the province

Meals (3 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners, 1 snack on day 2 only)

Lodging (Mayoyao Hostel- 2 double beds/room)

Environmental Fee

Entrance Fees

Tour Guide Fee

Cultural Night

Souvenir T-shirt

ID and Certificate

Exclusions:

Transportation from Manila to Ifugao (and back)

Travel Insurance

"Get involved with the Mayoyao Community in harvesting what had been sown by bare hands equipped with only pure culture thereby saving a world heritage. Join the Pochon Group's BFOTO' AD MAJAWJAW Package Tour, in cooperation with SITMo, the Mayoyao Municipal Local Government Unit, and the Mayoyao Community."

Harvesting rice is a community activity. There are defined roles for every person joining the harvest. The Munbfoto' (the one who actually reaps the grown rice stalks) are usually women. They cut the rice stalks and hand them over to the Mun-akun . The Mun-akun, after collecting the rice stalks from the Munbfoto' , will now give them to the Munbfa-ud who will tie the rice stalks in bundles estimating and balancing each bundle so that they will be proportionate. Having tied the rice stalks in bundles, the Munbfa-ud will now give the bundles to the Munkhongah whose job is to trim any protruding stalks to make the bundle look neat. The Munkhongah will then give the bundle to the Munkhu-ud so he can properly arrange the bundles in the rice granary. The Munkhu-ud cannot leave, even though the harvest is finished, unless he had arranged all the bundles in the rice granary. Such is part of the culture of the Mayoyao People. Another actor in the harvest is the Munhang . The Munhang cooks for the community helping in the harvest. A highlight during the harvest is that the women Munbfoto' chants the native songs of the Uw-wai' (native chants) while harvesting the grown rice stalks. Ricewine is likewise served while the harvest is going on being a traditional practice of the Mayoyao People.

Day 1 of the tour will be a picnic at the O'phaw Mahencha (Leap of Mahencha) Falls with 1 ½-hour trek in one of the virgin forests of Mayoyao. In the evening will be a concert-jamming with the Pochon Group Band.

On Day 2, the participants will get to experience harvesting rice with the Mayoyao Community. They can choose their participation in the harvest: the Munbfoto', Mun-akun, Munbfa-ud, Munkhongah, and Munkhu-ud. In the afternoon, they will proceed to the Marian Center, a perfect place for relaxation and meditation. Beside the Center is the Hecheng Falls where an image of the Mama Mary can be clearly seen during rainy season when there is plenty of water. Local folks call the image as the Hidden Madonna. In the evening will be the cultural presentation of the Mayoyao Community.

Day 3 will be more on sightseeing. The participants will proceed to Chu'it Viewpoint where they can view the entirety of the extensive Mayoyao Rice Terraces. Afterwards, the participants will be ushered to the Acacoy Park, a nature park and at the same time Fish nursery. The Park offers a refreshing sight of the Chaya Rice Terraces. The afternoon will be spent shopping at the Banaue Town Center.

Itinerary

June 22 (Friday)

5 a.m. Arrival of visitors in Santiago City , Isabela

Travel to Mayoyao, Ifugao

Breakfast at Ubao, Aguinaldo, Ifugao

9 a.m. Arrival in Mayoyao

Room assignments at the Hostel

9:30 a.m. Trek to O'phaw Mahencha Falls (with 1 ½-hour trek)

12 nn Lunch at the Falls

3 p.m. Travel to Poblacion

5-6 p.m. Free time

7 p.m. Dinner

8-10 p.m. Concert-jamming with Pochon Group/Rest

June 23 (Saturday)

6-7 a.m. Breakfast

8 a.m. Trek to harvest site

Participation in the Bfoto'

12 nn Lunch with the community

1 p.m. Participation in the Bfoto'

Snacks

3 p.m. Travel to Marian Center

5-6 p.m. Free time

7 p.m. Dinner

8-10 p.m. Cultural Night

June 24 (Sunday)

6-7 a.m. Breakfast

8 a.m. Trek to Chu'it Viewpoint

Travel to Acacoy Park

10 a.m. Travel to Banaue with lunch at midway

3 p.m. Arrival at Banaue

Shopping for souvenirs

5-6 p.m. Departure of visitors

For reservation and inquiries, contact us:

Email: sitmo311@gmail.com

Mobile : +639068093662 (Jonathan Martin), +639206301795 (Clark Bacdangan), +639067727193 (Nilo Manangan)

cc: josh21020@gmail.com

For travel agencies, please transact with Joan Sheelah O. Nalliw, Pochon Group President directly

Email: josh21020@gmail.com

Mobile : +639065308242

Deadline of reservation is on June 8, 2007

allan_dude

June 6th, 2007, 07:19 PM

Pangasinan language is alive and kicking (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=69757)

By Yolanda Sotelo-Fuertes

DAGUPAN CITY – With its speakers decreasing by the day, many consider the Pangasinan language a dying language. But a local historian is struggling to keep the language alive by compiling native words and publishing these in a dictionary.

Emiliano “Mel” Jovellanos, 70, has published the fourth edition of the Pangasinan-English, English-Pangasinan language dictionary. The compilation has 20,000 entries, four times the number of words when he published the first edition in 2002.

Jovellanos said he feels bad when he hears people say the Pangasinan language is dying.

“It’s alive, and this dictionary is a proof that it is,” he said. He also cited a study of the provincial government that showed that 51 percent of Pangasinenses speak the language, as opposed to 47 percent who speak Ilocano and the rest, dialects like Bolinao.

Jovellanos’ labor of love to preserve Pangasinan words started more than 20 years ago while working as chief of staff of former Information Minister Gregorio Cendaña in 1985.

He informed Cendaña, a Pangasinense, of his dream to publish the dictionary and Cendaña readily supported the plan.

Jovellanos started researching and collecting native words, poring through available materials written in Pangasinan like the Bible, prayer books, novenas, novels of Juan Villamil and Maria Magsanoc, and copies of Tunong, a pre-World War II paper that emphasized literary works in Pangasinan.

He combed the Library of Congress in Washington D.C., and spent hours in the Filipiniana section of the National Library, the archives of the University of Santo Tomas and the Dominican Library in Manaoag town.

“I was always ready with a pen and a notebook, jotting every new word I met,” Jovellanos said.

After filling up about a dozen notebooks with Pangasinan words, the painstaking work of arranging them alphabetically followed.

Long hand

“I did everything by long hand,” he said.

The publication of the dictionary, however, was stalled as his responsibilities as the municipal administrator of Pozorrubio town, and later as councilor, had to be prioritized.

Finally, the dictionary’s first edition came out in 2002. The book became a “hit” of sorts, especially with local officials who made it a part of their towns’ “official gifts” to visitors. Local officials also bring copies whenever they go abroad as pasalubong (gifts) to Pangasinenses there.

He said the dictionary’s fifth edition would be printed in the United States this November when the Benigno Aldana National High School holds a reunion for its alumni living in the US and Canada.

“They clamor for a copy but the dictionary is heavy and the freight is expensive, so we decided to just print it there,” he said.

The dictionary has 15 pages of easy lessons in spoken Pangasinan, like greetings, signs and public notices, days and time, numbers and questions, and general expressions.

There are also poems in Pangasinan, including a version of National Hero Jose Rizal’s “Mi Ultimo Adios.”

Jovellanos said his father, Jose Jovellanos, the municipal president (mayor) of Dagupan from 1919 to 1925, translated the poem to Pangasinan on his deathbed in 1946.

Beautiful and rich

He said poets and novelists in Pangasinan write expressively because the language is “beautiful and rich in vocabulary.”

In the dictionary’s introduction, he cited two examples of how rich the language is: “The English word for ambition is expressed in Pangasinan in so many words: piaet, ogagep, tamitam, gunaet, posapos, pilalek, pigipig, pirawat and tindek. If in English one is crazy, in Pangasinan one is 13 times more crazy: atapis, atiwel, ambagel, ambagtit, kulang-kulang, atorik, angkampis, atiris, lokloko, akustil, bobolanen, sulok-sulok, and alintaweng.”

The dictionary’s publication has opened more doors to Jovellanos. He was named president of the Jose Tamayo Foundation, after its founder, Antonio Tamayo, owner of the University of Perpetual Help, learned of his work to preserve the language. The foundation aims to preserve the Pangasinan culture and arts, among other things.

Wonderboy

June 7th, 2007, 10:54 PM

Source: http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view_article.php?article_id=69477

Youngblood: Scholarship

By Ariel Lopez
Inquirer
Posted date: June 05, 2007

I started taking graduate courses a week before our graduation from college. Excited by the prospect of teaching in the same university this school year, I believed it would help if I took advanced studies last summer.
Unfortunately, this was also the time when my friends went on vacation. As they enjoyed the beach and the sand, I labored hard, searching for documents in the archives, reading books and encoding my paper on the computer. My friends, on the other hand, had little to worry about. Some of them were already assured of jobs in multinational corporations, with salaries double or even triple what I expected to receive from teaching.

Why did I choose to pursue a life in the academe?

Definitely, it’s not for material gain. Salary in entry-level positions in government-run academic institutions can’t support a decent life in the metropolis, much less support a family. Even the nature of my work may not be attractive to some. Friends and relatives had long warned that since my discipline requires spending long hours in archives and libraries with lifeless documents and books, I would not be able to “explore” the outside world or have time to find a partner.

I cannot say that doing research and teaching were my childhood dreams. University life exposed me to the realities and problems of Philippine education. Though we have competent scholars in various areas of knowledge, they are very few. Only a small percentage of students specialize or enroll in graduate programs after receiving a bachelor degree. Some of those who earn graduate degrees later pursue a career abroad or shift to new and more financially rewarding careers. I have a friend who has a Ph.D., but is now studying nursing. He has become disillusioned with the academe. The stomach must be filled first before the brain can function. Thus, some scholars become unproductive, without research or publications because of involvement in moneymaking ventures, which are not at all academic. We can’t blame them for they have families to support.

The sight of professors struggling hardly inspires young students to pursue higher studies. Due to the lack of an adequate pool of scholars, research in the Philippines is in bad shape. Even a non-expert can observe this problem. Quite a few professors have told me that bundles of documents in our National Archives are yet to be “re-discovered.” Not only because of the lack of scholars, but also for lack of funds, these documents either remain untouched or are used only by foreign historians.

Knowledge of history among our youth is similarly lamentable. During my undergraduate days, the project of our Civic Welfare Training Service class involved conducting tutorials for grade school pupils in a depressed area along Agham Road in Quezon City. One Saturday, I was teaching basic Philippine history to a group of Grade 5 pupils when I heard a commotion at the back. The kids were arguing whether the national hero, Jose Rizal, was still alive. This led me to think of their teachers. What did they teach? Or did they teach at all? Have all good teachers gone abroad to seek greener pastures? And how can one expect students to be scholars or academicians when the basic foundation of education in the elementary has been eroded? We don’t even have any assurance that these children will have an opportunity to enter college.

It seems to me that these problems are interrelated. The failure of basic education also spells doom for the institutions of higher education as half-baked students enter our universities. Hence, the future of scholarship in the Philippines is bleak. If one were to write an erudite work, would students appreciate it? Will they have the same interest for knowledge and academic excellence? Who will be the next generation of scholars?

From research and scholarship, we are assured that the knowledge imparted in classrooms is up-to-date, true and relevant. At the University of the Philippines, I know some professors who continue to teach despite offers of high-paying jobs in private institutions. Others strive to become real scholars despite their heavy teaching load and the little time they have left for research. Teachers giving basic education provide the same labor and sacrifice -- maybe even more so because they have the additional task and responsibility of inspiring their pupils to engage in higher intellectual pursuits.

I am glad that by joining the faculty of a public university, I’m giving something back to the people after getting 14 years of education in public schools and being educated and inspired by my teachers in high school and professors in the university. Like them, I will strive to contribute to building our nation through scholarship and teaching.

Ariel C. Lopez, 20, is a recent graduate of Bachelor of Arts in History (summa cum laude) from the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.

Wonderboy

June 8th, 2007, 10:14 PM

THE MANILA STUDIES ASSOCIATION, INC.
40 Matiwasay Street, UP Village, Diliman, Quezon City 1101
Tel: (02) 921-4575 Telefax: (02) 926-1347
E-mail: nitachurchill@hotmail.com

16th ANNUAL MANILA STUDIES CONFERENCE
AUGUST 1-2, 2007, TANGHALANG LEANDRO V.LOCSIN
NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS
633 GENERAL LUNA STREET
INTRAMUROS, MANILA

June 1, 2007

Dear Fellow Members, Colleagues, and Friends of the Manila Studies Association:

We have the honor and pleasure to invite you to the 16tth Annual Conference of the Manila Studies Association, Inc., to be held on August 1-2, 2007 (from 8:00-5:00 p.m. both days) at Tanghalan Leandro V. Locsin, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, General Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila. This year's conference will include papers on Manila studies highlighting various aspects of Manila’s history and culture, as well as studies on national history. .

The conference sharing fee is P2,000 and participants will be provided with a conference kit to include the conference program, abstracts and conference papers (in CD), one complimentary publication, and lunch and two meriendas for the two days of the conference.

Please use this letter of invitation for the purpose of obtaining institutional support from your school or agency to enable you to participate in this conference, which should be useful for faculty development.

For particulars, please contact:
Lorelei D.C. de Viana Cell: 0917-855-0060 E-mail: deviana _ph@yahoo.com

Maria Eloisa P. de Castro Cell: 0921-267-1281 E-mail: eloise_ust@hotmail.com
We look forward to your attendance and participation.

Yours sincerely,

Lorelei D.C. de Viana Maria Eloisa P. de Castro
National Historical Institute University of Santo Tomas
MSA Vice President and Co-Convener MSA Board Secretary and Co-Convener

Noted:

Bernardita R. Churchill, Ph.D.
MSA Board President and Convener

Wonderboy

June 8th, 2007, 10:15 PM

CONFERENCE PROGRAM

The River Basin Archaeology of MInila
Israel B. Cabanilla
University of the Philippines Diliman

Vincentian Archives in the Philippines
Fr .Rolando S. DelaGoza,CM, Ph.D.
Archives of the Congregation of the Mission, Quezon City

“Anong Balita?” (Notes on A History of Philippine Journalism 1811-1898)
Jose Victor Torres, Ph.D.
Intramuros Administration and University of Santo Tomas, Graduate School

City, Nation, Cinema: Manila’s Representation on Screen (Film Presentation)
Nick A. Deocampo
Director, Mowelfund Film Institute, Quezon City

The Filipino Appropriation of American Broadcasting:
A History of Radio in the Philippines During the American Colonial Period
Elizabeth L. Enriquez, Ph.D.
University of the Philippines Diliman

Shaping Femininity in Spanish Manila: A Preliminary Study on the Colegio de Santa Potenciana
Marya Svetlana T. Camacho, Ph. D.
University of Asia and the Pacific

Chabacano Ermitaño: Manila’s Creole Spanish of Yore
Emmanuel Luis Romanillos
University of the Philippines Diliman

Chinese Food-ways in the Philippines
Carmelea Ang See
Bahay Tsinoy Museum

A Preliminary Study of the Second World War in Pandacan, Manila 1941-1945
Fernando A. Santiago, Jr.
De La Salle University, Manila

“Manila 1945: The Forgotten Atrocities” (Video Presentation)
Peter Parsons
Spyron Manila Production

Ang Pangaraw-araw na Buhay sa Maynila sa Panahon ng Digmaang Filipino-Amerikano, 1899-1902
Ronaldo B. Mactal, Ph.D.
De La Salle University, Manila

Healers of Manila
Bernard Karganilla
University of the Philippines Manila

Who Avenged Rizal ? – Reaction in Spain to Rizal’s Execution
Carlos Madrid Alvarez-Piñer
Vibal Publishing House and Filipiniana.net

Tour (Optional) of Bahay Tsinoy, Museum of the Chinese in Philippine Life -Discounted Entrance Fee –P60.00

Wonderboy

June 12th, 2007, 01:08 AM

http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view_article.php?article_id=70428

Digitizing Brocka
By Bayani San Diego Jr.
Inquirer
Posted date: June 10, 2007

MANILA, Philippines – Lino Brocka led them to it.
The way Tito Velasco, chief operating officer of Unico Entertainment, remembers it, the late National Artist for Film was the inspiration behind Cinefilipino, a line of DVDs offering classic Pinoy films.

“When we thought of the concept for Cinefilipino two years ago, our goal was to do a revival of the type of films that we liked and [which we] thought illustrated what Philippine cinema was all about.”

Of course, the list would include the works of Brocka, Ishmael Bernal and Mike de Leon, Velasco pointed out. “We did thorough research. Unfortunately, most of our targeted titles were available only on video. If there were prints, they were in a sorry state.”

Sources

In its search for the “best available copies of the classics,” Velasco said, Cinefilipino had tapped movie production companies (Regal), private collectors (Manny Veras) and government institutions (Cultural Center of the Philippines).

Among the films initially released by Cinefilipino on DVD were Brocka's “Ina, Kapatid, Anak” and “Cain at Abel” and Bernal's “Manila by Night” and “Relasyon.” Also in the collection are vintage Sampaguita films from the 1950s and 1960s like “Jack en Jill” and “Amy, Susie, Tessie.”

These DVDs are available online (cinefilipino.com) and in Powerbooks and mag:Net stores.

This month, the company is releasing five additional Brocka titles, among the best in his filmography: “Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang,” with Lolita Rodriguez and Christopher de Leon; “Tatlo, Dalawa, Isa,” with Anita Linda and Jay Ilagan; “Insiang,” with Hilda Koronel and Mona Lisa; and “Ang Tatay Kong Nanay,” with Dolphy and Niño Muhlach.

“Tinimbang” swept the Famas in 1975, while Anita Linda won Famas Best Supporting Actress for the episode “Hellow, Soldier” in the “Tatlo” trilogy that same year.

“Insiang” was the first local movie shown at the Directors' Fortnight of the Cannes film fest in 1978. Also, “Angela” won the grand prize at the Festival of Three Continents held in Nantes, France in 1983.

Velasco related that Cinefilipino had worked on good copies of “Tinimbang,” “Tatlo” and “Insiang” from the CCP.

“We hardly touched 'Insiang.' It was in mint condition because it was recently shown at the Lincoln Center (in New York) which cleaned up that copy,” he related.

Restoring “Tinimbang” and “Tatlo” took four months, “to take out scratches.”

“Angela” and “Tatay,” took longer, about eight months, “because we worked on copies stored on U-matic tapes. We took extra care to retain picture clarity,” he explained.

More than the original fans, Velasco hoped that these Brocka films would find a new audience among today's generation of filmmakers.

Shortsighted

“In the 1970s and 1980s, when the local industry was churning out close to 200 films, no one thought about the future, about warehousing and archiving. Film restoration and preservation are important, these movies reflect our culture,” Velasco said.

In a New York Times article, critic Dave Kehr commended Cinefilipino for restoring and reviving these films: “This body of work belongs not only to the history of popular art but also to the history of a resilient, heroic, admirable people.”

Animo

June 18th, 2007, 06:39 AM

RP flag unfurled in 1898 to last only ‘our lifetime’
By Vincent Cabreza
Northern Luzon Bureau
Last updated 05:37am (Mla time) 06/13/2007

BAGUIO CITY -- The flag believed by heirs of Emilio Aguinaldo to have been the one that was unfurled by the general in Kawit, Cavite, in 1898 still received no respect at Tuesday’s rites marking the nation’s 109th Independence Day.

Marching bands accompanying the city government’s Freedom Day parade loudly made their way down Session Road, but only a handful of people paid quiet homage to the tattered relic encased in glass at the Aguinaldo Museum on Happy Glen Loop here.

Emilio Aguinaldo Suntay III, the general’s great grandson, said he was glad that some people still managed to show up. The bad news, he said, was that the flag had only “our lifetime” -- or 30-50 more years -- to “live.”
Suntay said technicians and preservation specialists of various facilities, including the Washington-based Smithsonian Institution, had warned the family that there was no technology available to restore and preserve the flag in its present state.

He said the decay in the silk fabric had progressed beyond any known method for chemically or physically preserving it.
“Nothing lasts, anyway. And that goes double for fabric,” Suntay said.

Replica

Former Baguio Rep. Honorato Aquino, the lawyer of the Aguinaldo heirs, said the family might seek a second opinion from Japanese experts.
Meanwhile, Suntay said, the family would continue the procedures that scientists had required for preserving the flag, “for as long as it remains intact.”

The family is prepared for the flag’s inevitable decay, Suntay said.
He said this was why he and other family members had commissioned University of the Philippines experts to replicate the flag down to the silk fabric.

The replica was displayed here during the centennial of Philippine Independence in 1998. The original flag was later framed and hung from the ceiling of the Baguio museum.

Protecting a symbol

The National Historical Institute has yet to authenticate the original flag despite years of probing. But it was responsible for wrapping the fragile relic in a metallic net to keep the fabric from shredding under its own weight.
The city government offered last year to help raise capital to preserve the flag, but Suntay said the Aguinaldo heirs decided to raise the funds themselves.

He said they had all been raised to follow a principle espoused by US President John F. Kennedy. “It doesn’t matter what the country can do for you, but what you can do for your country -- and what we are doing is protecting this symbol,” he said.

Suntay said his grandmother, Cristina Aguinaldo Suntay, started the crusade when she inherited the flag, which the family had discovered under the general’s deathbed.

Distinctive colors

The original flag is distinctive because its sun bears a golden face paler than that in the contemporary flag that Baguio residents waved during Tuesday’s Freedom Day parade. The section symbolizing peacetime is light blue, in contrast to the dark blue hue in the contemporary flag.

The phrase “Fuerzas Expedicionarias del Norte de Luzon” runs across one side of the flag, and the words “Libertad” and “Justicia” on the other side.
Lack of funds has forced the family to share the original flag’s glass casing with an authentic flag used by Gen. Gregorio del Pilar.Suntay said the family had also managed to preserve a bloodstained flag used by Aguinaldo during the Philippine-Spanish War.

Most of Tuesday’s visitors to the museum belonged to the anthropology class of Danish teacher Lars Kjaerholm, who has been sending students to the Philippines for social immersion activities. Baguio’s official representatives to the program were officials of Barangay Salud Mitra led by Barangay captain Nida Galace.

Suntay said he did not mind the seeming snub of the family’s precious relic.
His niece, Anna Suntay, attributed the low turnout of visitors to Malacañang’s earlier announcement that June 12 was a regular working day.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view_article.php?article_id=70976

Animo

June 18th, 2007, 07:07 AM

MANILA, Philippines - Heritage architecture, the site of a historic landing during World War II, and natural bamboo resources, Leyte seems to have it all. It is no wonder then that the province was picked by the National Commission on Culture and Arts (NCCA) as one of the host cities for this year's National Heritage Month with the theme "The Culture of the Bamboo."
Journalists from Manila, as well as Filipino Heritage Festival president Armita Rufino and finance officer Aracelli Salas and NCCA commissioner Rose Beatrix Angeles, flew to the province via Philippine Airlines. There, they stayed at the Hotel Alejandro, itself a treasure trove of memories with more than 400 vintage pictures spanning 1940s onwards. Prominently displayed are images of Leyte during the last war and even romantic hand-written letters from days past by LeyteÂ¤os and others who stayed at the hotel.

A 30-minute drive to the town of Palo brought the group to the Cathedral of Our Lord's Transfiguration. Constructed in 1596 under the direction of missionaries who founded the town, the church is unique in that its Stations of the Cross simply show the different facial expressions of Jesus Christ. The late Jeremaias Acebedo of Palo made the sculptures. The American liberation forces also used the church as a hospital in 1944-1945.

In Tanauan, former parish priest Fr. Gilbert Urbina spearheads the restoration of the Church of Our Lady of Assumption, which was built in 1704. Restorations were done to the walls of the rectory as well as to the pulpit.
The heritage tour then took a somewhat different turn upon arriving in Dulag. "The Ruins," an original Spanish structure built in 1595 and considered the first exclusive Jesuit school in Leyte, is what remained after the General Douglas MacArthur-led ALF bombed it during World War II. Opened as a religious school at the Parish Church of Our Lady of Refuge by Fr. Alonzo de Humanes, it was the only one of its kind in the country and was considered far ahead of its time.

A church that has undergone several renovations over its 157-year history then greeted the group upon arrival in Baybay. The Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception, which is supported by outside pillars, is the result of the combined works of Mariano Vasnillo, maestro Proceso de Manila, and capitan Mateo Espinoso.

It is quite hard to miss the church of Hilongos. Situated at the center of a stonewalled compound, the church is in the center with fort ruins that are adorned by religious icons. A huge 400-year-old acacia tree proudly stands nearby.

Grand performance night

A showcase of Leyte's musical and literary heritage capped the night off at the RTR Plaza in Tacloban City. The "Sinamay: Sayaw, Laylayon ug Siday" shone the spotlight on talented young singers Rosary Padilla and Clariane Avila; poets Victor Sugbo and Palanca winner Merlie Alunan; 'kuratsa" couple Lucio and Randy Albao; Redemptorist Youth Choir, Holy Infant College Nightingales, Tanauan Balinsasayaw Singers, Leyte Normal University Brass Band, Leyte Kalipayan Dance Company, Palo Ambassadors Orchestra and Choir, Palo Rah Rah Rousers, UP Balangaw Performing Arts Group, Leyte Normal University Theater Ensemble and Barangay Libas Community Theater.
According to Gov. Carlos Jericho Petilla, the festivities became a welcome opportunity for the LeyteÂ¤os to display their wares.
"What we need today is a simple venue where our performers can showcase their talents," Petilla said.

Joyce Alegre, chair of the Leyte Heritage Festival Committee, then encouraged everyone to weave together the different elements and colors that make up the unique heritage of Filipinos.
"Let us weave together the beautiful aspects of our lives," Alegre said. "Let us weave together our sorrows and turn it into something beautiful."

Heritage Month closing

For the closing ceremonies of the National Heritage Month, spotlight will be on Cagayan Valley. Known as a paradise for spelunkers, trekkers and gamefishers, Cagayan welcomes today guests from Manila who will participate in a Latin Mass at the St. James the Apostle Church. It is the only church in the Philippines with flying buttresses or arc-boutant at its rear.
Other activities will include a boat ride along the Pinacanauan River, a show of the circadian flight of bats and cultural shows by local performers, as well as a tour of centuries-old churches and towns.

The photos in this article were taken using a Sony Ericsson w850i.
E-mail the author at dxmatilla@ yahoo.com
( www.inquirer.net )
http://www.asianjournal.com/?c=55&a=20819

ivanhenares

June 19th, 2007, 05:14 PM

I hope the extension for the natural site will be for the Tubbataha Reef Natural Park. This park was expanded last year to include the Jessie Beazley Reef, making the park three times bigger. Sana meron pang naka-line-up for the Philippines, Batanes kaya? UNESCO limited the nominations to a single entry for each country, excluding extensions and pending inscriptions.

Yup, katangahan kasi ng Batanes nung 2005. They should have been inscribed then and the 2007 slot could have been for another in the tentative list (http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/state=ph).

Alitaptap

June 23rd, 2007, 09:53 PM

Animo

June 23rd, 2007, 11:42 PM

My Northern Exposure
Text And Photos By Johanna M. Sampan

IT was a quiet and humid day as our plane landed in Tuguegarao—the capital city of Cagayan North located at the tip of the Northeastern part of Luzon. The province hosted the closing ceremonies for the 2007 National Heritage Month.

The organizers, together with the Filipino Heritage Festival, National Commission on Culture and the Arts, the Department of Tourism, the Provincial Government of Cagayan and Philippine Airlines, made it possible for the members of the media to experience and see the historical sites and archaeological structures that the region has to offer.

Colors of Cagayan

Starting off the tour in Tuguegarao City was Donald Tapan’s Colors of Cagayan North photo exhibit at Paseo Reale that runs until the end of this month. Every single picture that he captured is truly special. Then the opening of Zininaga—the treasures of Cagayan North exhibited on the Cultural and Natural Heritage of the region at the Expo Building of the Provincial Capitol.

An indescribable feeling of fascination took me away when we visited the Callao Caves. This marvelous seven-chambered natural creation is well known for its vast limestone and rock formations. It has long been an attraction to tourists and its presence is a constant mark of distinction for the locals. Climbing 187 steps to reach the entrance of the cave was all worth it. While listening to the Cagayan National High School Bamboo Ensemble and the Koro Cagayan, I felt the cold crisp air brush my face and savored the feeling.
“It is indeed a great honor of Cagayan North to be the venue of the closing ceremonies of the National Heritage Month celebration and a pride for Cagayan Culture, Arts and Tourism Foundation Inc. (CCATFI),” said Jozaida Lara, first lady of Cagayan North, as she welcomed us in the Callao Cave tour.

“Our preparations for this reflect our genuine pride in our cultural and material inheritance and a visible display of our ability to live the legacy of social cohesion, peace, love, unity and prosperity. We hope and aim that this celebration be an instrument in letting Filipinos, especially Cagayanons who are now living elsewhere, to rekindle their heritage. The sooner we understand what our heritage is all about, the easier it is for our children to embrace it too,” she added.

The tour wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the historical churches and heritage edifices. Included in the itinerary were the San Jacinto Church in Tuguegarao City, St. Philomene Church and Ponce Ancestral House in Alcala, Nassipping Church Ruins at Gattaran, Aparri Delta and Ecclesiastical Museum in Aparri, Spanish Horno—where red bricks were made before, Camanlaniugan Church Ruins and the oldest bell in the Philippines (1595) in Camalaniugan and St. Dominic Church in Lallo, Piat Church in and Calvary Hills and St. James the Apostle Church in Iguig.

Traditions of Bamboo—this year’s theme concluded in the municipality of Lal-lo former Ciudad de Nueva Segovia with a dance-drama presentation of the arrival of Spaniards to Cagayan and the foundation of Nueva Segovia.
“We’ve decided to hold the Heritage Month’s closing ceremonies in Cagayan to pay tribute to the province’s wealth of attractions and colorful history, which highlight the fact that the Philippines abounds with unique cultural delights,” proudly beamed by Bambi Harper, Filipino Heritage Festival director. “Without heritage, we are like sailing ships without rudder,” she added.

The best of pottery

Most of the people in Barangay Atulu in the municipality of Iguig are engaged in bricks and pottery making. The oldest and most interesting bricks and pottery production can still be found here. Monthly, workers produce nearly 40,000 pieces of varieties of pottery such as flowerpots, bricks, rice pots, decorative jars and stoves.

It was indeed a whole month of celebrating, experiencing and learning all about the Philippines’ rich tradition and culture. I look forward every year to celebrating the National Heritage Month and to explore the vast wonders of my beloved country.

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/june/22/yehey/life/20070622lif1.html

tigidig14

June 24th, 2007, 04:37 AM

i didnt know until recently that there was D tuazon
ive lived by g tuazon haha

TheAvenger

June 24th, 2007, 01:33 PM

Requesting assistance from Spanish-speaking SSC Forumers :

kindly help me by translating this comment on my Blog :

Rodrigo has left a new comment on your post "Other Photos of Rizal Park and vicinity - Manila":

Oi, achei teu blog pelo google tá bem interessante gostei desse post. Quando der dá uma passada pelo meu blog, é sobre camisetas personalizadas, mostra passo a passo como criar uma camiseta personalizada bem maneira. Até mais. Publish this comment.

Reject this comment.

Moderate comments for this blog.

Posted by Rodrigo to Jibrael Blog at June 23, 2007 10:29 PM

habagatcentral1

June 24th, 2007, 02:23 PM

^^ Its rougly Portuguese.

It says " found yours blog for google tá well interesting I liked this post. When to give gives passed for mine blog, is on personalized t-shirts, shows step by step as to create a well personalized t-shirt way. Until more"

Sponsored by AltaVista Babelfish, hehhe!!! :D Honestly I don't speak Portuguese.

TheAvenger

June 24th, 2007, 04:54 PM

^^

yes it must be Portuguese...

thanks for the translation. the first sentence is good enough.

the 2nd sentence seems it is an advertizement for the Kamiseta ....

Wonderboy

June 24th, 2007, 05:19 PM

^^ Sir, you may also use www.freetranslation.com for foreign phrases such as the one you posted. Although not 100% perfect in translating the texts, the website canbe helpfu in getting the geist of what you want to know.

kevinb

June 24th, 2007, 05:39 PM

Old Manila streets lose names to politicians
By Augusto de Viana
Inquirer
06/24/2007

MANILA, Philippines—Like old buildings and structures, old names of streets and public places are part of historical heritage.

For a city like Manila, which is celebrating Araw ng Maynila today, many streets have been identified with the history of the place and considered integral to its character. Many historical events occurred in the city’s streets, boulevards, avenues and plazas.

España Boulevard in Sampaloc district, for example, was the route of the country’s biggest funeral procession, that of the martyred opposition leader Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino in 1983. From the late 1940s to the present, protesters and demonstrators walked here on their way to the gates of Malacañang. The University of Sto. Tomas was relocated on this street in 1922, and was the site of an internment camp for Allied prisoners during World War II.

España was able to retain its name reportedly because of a clause in the donation agreement between the City of Manila and the landowners who donated the land that the street as well as adjoining ones would be named after the Iberian country and its provinces. Otherwise, the land would revert back to the owners, the Sulucan Development Co. owned by the De la Riva family.

‘Bigoted nationalism’

Unfortunately, many of our old street names have been changed. The country’s politicians, out of what the historian Gregorio Zaide once called “bigoted nationalism and jingoism,” have been indiscriminately renaming streets, roads, avenues and boulevards. Renaming also appears to promote political and personal agendas as some public places have been renamed after politicians and public officials.

The result is a country that is erasing its historical heritage.

In Manila, the renaming of streets has been done often in complete disregard of their historical significance.Take the historic Manila streets like the Escolta and Dasmariñas in Binondo. The name Escolta was inspired by the Spanish word “escortar,” meaning to escort. The British commanding general passed through this street under heavy escort on his way to hand over Manila back to the Spaniards after Britain’s 20-month occupation of the city in 1762 to 1764.

Dasmariñas is named after the Spanish governor-general Luis Perez Dasmariñas who, after buying the fiefdom (encomienda) of Binondo, promptly donated to the Dominican friars a site for a church and parish house, established a mission for married Christianized Chinese and a hospital on what is now Plaza Cervantes.

Occupation, virtues

Other famous Manila streets are so named because of their association with certain objects. Tayuman Street in the district of Tondo was where the tayum plant was once abundant. Antipolo Street was where a tipolo tree once grew.

Other streets were named because of the trades and occupations that were once practiced there. Thus, Anloague was once a place of carpenters; Fundidor, the place of the foundry workers; Jaboneros, the place of the soap makers; Panaderos, the place of the bakers; and Labanderos, the place of the laundrymen.

Arroceros on the south bank of the Pasig River was where the rice warehouses were located. Aduana was where the Spanish customs house once stood. There used to be a street in Binondo called Fumadores. This was the street were opium joints were allowed by the Spanish colonial authorities, opium smoking being legally confined only to the Chinese.

Some streets in Sampaloc extolled the civic and moral virtues. Among these were Economia, meaning thrift and Trabajo, industry. The two streets adjoined each other and the location of the Trabajo Market in their midst made the names very appropriate. They seemed to have been meant to inspire those who were earning a living in the area.

Other streets similarly named are Lealtad, loyalty; Honradez, honesty; Firmeza, firmness or strength and Constancia, constancy.

Rizal reference

Many Manila street names have reference to the national hero, Jose Rizal. These are mostly located in Sampaloc. Among these are Blumentritt, after Dr. Ferdinand Blumentritt, the Austrian professor and the hero’s close friend and intellectual kin who carried out a lengthy correspondence with him; Calamba, Rizal’s birthplace; P. Leoncio remembers his godfather, the parish priest who baptized him; Craig, after Austin Craig, one of his biographers; Retiro, which was inspired by his poem “Mi Retiro” which referred to his place of exile in Dapitan. A street at the back of the University of Sto. Tomas campus is also named Dapitan.

Other names refer to characters in Rizal’s novels, among them Basilio, Simoun, Sisa and Crisostomo. Two streets are named after his pen names, Laong Laan and Dimasalang.

Some streets like Raon, Camba, Urbiztondo, Lardizabal and Gandara were named after Spanish governor-generals while others like Taft, Harrison and Forbes were named after American ones. In the Malate district, some streets were named after the states of the United States. One street was named after Isaac Peral, the inventor of a submersible. It has been renamed United Nations Avenue.

Azcarraga to Recto

Architect Juan F. Nakpil, later named National Artist, argued against changing the name of Azcarraga Street to Claro M. Recto Avenue in 1961.

“If we keep changing the names of our streets, there may come a time we may not be able to recognize our city anymore,” he lamented at one of the meetings of the National Historical Commission which deliberated on the issue. Nakpil was a member of the NHC board.

Among the arguments put forward for renaming Azcarraga was that the street was named after a Spaniard. Actually, Azcarraga was the name of two brothers, Marcelo and Manuel, who were born of Spanish parents in the Philippines which, by definition, made them Filipino. Of the two brothers, Marcelo distinguished himself in Spain, rising to become minister of war and twice prime minister. Filipinos should be proud of Azcarraga because he was a native of the Philippines who held one of the highest offices in Spain.

No consultations with NHI

Many of the street names of the city of Manila have been renamed even without consultation with the National Historical Institute, contrary to the provisions of the Local Government Code. Some of these include Arroceros which is now Mayor Antonio Villegas Street; Aduana, now Andres Soriano Jr. Street; Pepin, now Marzan Street and Constancia now Cristobal Street.

But the renaming of the streets began long before the enactment of the Local Government Code. P. Leoncio is now Quintos, Sr.; Economia is now Vicente G. Cruz; Trabajo is now Manuel de la Fuente, etc. All of these new names are those of local politicians.

By changing the names of the country’s historic streets, we are erasing an important part of our heritage. The indiscriminate renaming of streets and other public places must stop if we are to protect our heritage. Our political authorities should consider restoring the old but historic names.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view_article.php?article_id=72957

I've read the exact article in the Philippine Star today. Could the writer be a free lancer?

-----

I also read in the PhilStar that the Metropolitan Theater will be redeveloped by NCCA, the city of Manila and GSIS. Sana hindi magningas-kugon ang mga tao para magamit ulit ang Met. Sayang niya. Ang ganda pa naman niya, tsaka ung sculputures sa labas.

i was taking my usual sunday afternoon walk around the UP oval today when i chanced upon a very unusual sight: some of the bells of the UP carillon tower had been taken down--i suppose, for the restoration project that the carillon has long been waiting for. here are a couple of pictures i took with my phone camera, and a short piece i wrote some time ago on the carillon itself. please feel free to correct any error i may have made in the piece.

http://homepage.mac.com/jdalisay/blog/user_files/carillon-small.jpg

for a couple more pics of the bells, please visit my blog at

http://homepage.mac.com/jdalisay/blog/MyBlog.html#ghm201370308

THE UP CARILLON: THE VOICE OF THE ALUMNI SPIRIT
By Jose Dalisay Jr., PhD

With the possible exception of the Oblation statue, nothing symbolizes the University of the Philippines more than the 130-foot Carillon Tower—a structure unlike any other in Diliman, a ringing echo of the university’s glorious past.

Built in 1952 at a cost of some P200,000, the carillon has serenaded generations of UP students, teachers, employees, and campus residents with its sweet cascade of chimes, rising above the early morning mist and attending the fall of twilight in the afternoon. From UP Beloved and Planting Rice to the Beatles tunes and The Internationale of later years, the carillon grew with the times, and itself grew timeless, marking the same hours of different days as if to remind the listener that some things never changed—love, honor, idealism, the joy and the challenge of learning beneath the broad canopy of a university life.

It was a musical instrument—to be technical about it, an assemblage of 46 tuned bells sounded by hammers, controlled from a keyboard or clockwork mechanism—whose player we never saw, a perfect surrender of the person to the music. What was important was for the bells to be heard, for the listeners to be reassured that there was order in their universe—and not just order but beauty and pleasure, especially at the beginning and at the end of a long day.

When it played, the carillon charmed us without the boisterousness of a brass band or the self-absorbed intensity of a piano; its delight lay precisely in its distance. It was a soothing voice over your shoulder, a scattering of happy notes in the vagrant wind. The carillon could be heard in all corners of the campus, from classroom to laboratory to janitorial closet. It was solace democratized.

But lately it has fallen silent once again, ravaged by age and neglect. The tower itself is firm and robust, as are the Holland-made bronze bells, but the wires and wooden levers of the keyboard have crumbled over time. The last time the bells were played was at the Lantern Parade in 1988, and since then the structure has been used as a stockroom, an art studio, and for various other purposes. Previous restoration efforts fell short of the funds needed for a complete overhaul.

It’s a sad slide from the dream of the National Artist for Architecture Juan F. Nakpil and UP Music Conservatory director Ramon Tapales, who—along with UP President Bienvenido Gonzalez—had conceived of the carillon as early as 1940. It took the UP Alumni Association to realize that dream, mobilizing mightily to build the tower and buy and install the bells. On August 1, 1952, according to the UP Bulletin, the carillon “was dedicated as a memorial to the spirit of the UP alumni, living and dead.”

It’s the voice of that spirit that must have whispered in our ear when the bells of Diliman last played—and which we hope to hear again, once this proud tower of music is finally restored.

How does the Carillon Tower in Diliman differ from the one in Los Baños? Or is there actually a difference?

Wonderboy

June 24th, 2007, 05:54 PM

I’m sure some of you have seen this already in broadsheets. It’s nice to see heritage preservation is promoted (in a way) through advertisement such as this one:

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/6546/adpl8.jpg

Pinoy_ako

June 25th, 2007, 05:10 AM

There is a controversy raging regarding the construction of a resort spa by a Korean firm right beside the crater of Taal volcano!!! This is one of the most incredulous thing that could happen in our country since there is a 4-kilometer permanent danger zone around the crater. The project endangers the lives of people at all times, which had an Environment Compliance Certificate!
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view_article.php?article_id=73111

Taal Volcano is also a National Geological Monument. It is also part of the tentative list of the Philippines for the World Heritage Site. If the project pushes through, it may no longer be considered.

ivanhenares

June 27th, 2007, 06:10 PM

No pride of place
Manila Bulletin, Thursday, 28 July 2007

Landscape
Gemma Cruz Araneta

The bad news is that a Korean “health spa” and a Korean builder, Jung Ang Interventure Corporation are constructing a resort along the crater of the Taal Volcano. What is worse, according to news reports, is that the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) pointed out that although Taal is a protected area, it is not entirely closed to “ecotourism” projects that do not harm the environment. However, a Department of Tourism (DOT) spokesperson was quick to affirm that the Korean project was never endorsed by them simply because the Taal Volcano area is considered a permanent danger zone and the DOT is not in the habit of risking the lives of tourists and investors. Worst of all is the revelation that thirteen mayors of the towns surrounding Taal Lake have no pride of place.

Diffidently, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology could only warn that permanent structures should not be built in permanent danger zones. That is why it was almost exhilarating to see (on television) newly-elected Batangas governor, Vilma Santos Recto denouncing the same Korean project. She said she would not allow it because Taal Lake and volcano are areas protected by law. That was probably her first official declaration after having been sworn in. I do hope she has enough political will to go against the tide of financial enticements, the ineptitude of bureaucratic Pontius Pilates, unscrupulous stationary bandits and assorted piranhas around who a provincial governor has to swim and survive.

I hope that, in these frightful days of killings and disappearances, the PAMALAKAYA and the Samahan ng mga Mamamayan sa Lawa ng Taal (Samataal) do not lose courage nor steam. Already, they are being called “leftist” which, in the Philippine context, is tantamount to destroying the credibility of these advocates. The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), associated with the Left since martial law days are resolutely supporting the Taal Lake farmers in their struggle against the Korean health spa.

Doesn’t this give you a nasty feeling that the country is being sold bit by bit to the highest bidder? One might wake up, on a sunny morning, only to find out that while we were asleep, our national territory had been parceled and fragmented by assorted developers. . I am beginning to think a conspiracy has been going on right under our noses. Could it be mere coincidence that more and more Filipinos have forgotten, or have been conditioned to doubt and question that we ever declared ourselves an independent republic? This year, the nation did not stop to celebrate Independence Day with the usual reverence, pomp and grandeur. On Rizal’s birthday, the Chief Executive merely sent a wreath to the hero’s, monument. Next week, the anniversary of the Katipunan will most probably pass unnoticed. Is there a concerted effort to make us forget what and who we are?

The National Anthem is no longer Marcha Nacional Filipina but soul and blues; advertisement is stamped on the national flag; historical landmarks are demolished to give way to shopping malls. Alarmingly, there was a request to include the Philippines in China’s master plan and an unsolicited bid to reserve millions of hectares of our national territory for Chinese farmers to cultivate rice, corn and whatever else the once Sleeping Giant needs to sustain its robust growth. The USA which has coveted Mindanao since Pershing and Kudarat clashed swords, will finally gets its wish-- MINSUPALA-- with a new Mutual Defense Treaty as an added bonus. Is it true that Sec. Condoleeza Rice is scheduled to come for an ocular inspection? Lamentably, for those who have no sense of nation and no pride of place, everything is for sale. (gemma601@yahoo.com)

ivanhenares

June 27th, 2007, 07:29 PM

The World Heritage Committee on Wednesday decided to inscribe the three new sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List: the Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Madagascar); South China Karst (China); and Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes (Republic of Korea).

The Rainforests of the Atsinanana comprise six national parks distributed along the eastern part of the island. These relict forests are critically important for maintaining ongoing ecological processes necessary for the survival of Madagascar's unique biodiversity, which reflects the island's geological history. Having completed its separation from all other land masses more than 60 million years ago, Madagascar's plant and animal life evolved in isolation. Inscribed both for their importance to ecological and biological processes, the rainforests are also inscribed for their biodiversity and the threatened species they support. The rate of endemism within these forests is exceptionally high at 80 to 90 percent for all groups. The property is of global significance for fauna, especially primates. Many rare and threatened species (78 of the 123 non-flying mammals in Madagascar occur in this site, including 72 that are on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species), including at least 25 species of lemur.

The South China Karst region extends over a surface of half a million square kilometres lying mainly in Yunnan, Guizhou and Guangxi Provinces. South China is unrivalled for the diversity of its karst features and landscapes. The site presents a coherent serial property comprising three clusters: Libo Karst, Shilin Karst and Wulong Karst. South China Karst represents one of the world’s most spectacular examples of humid tropical to sub-tropical karst landscapes. The stone forests of Shilin are considered superlative natural phenomena and a world reference. The cluster includes the Naigu stone forest occurring on dolomitic limestone and the Suyishan stone forest arising from a lake. Shilin contains a wider range of pinnacle shapes than other karst landscapes with pinnacles, and a higher diversity of shapes and changing colours. The cone and tower karsts of Libo, also considered the world reference site for these types of karsts, form a distinctive and beautiful landscape. Wulong Karst has been inscribed for its giant dolines, natural bridges and caves.

Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes comprises three sites that together make up 18,846 ha, 10.3% of the surface area of Jeju Island, the southernmost territory of the Republic of Korea. It includes: Geomunoreum, regarded as the finest lave tube system of caves anywhere, with its multi-coloured carbonate roofs and floors, and dark-coloured lava walls; the fortress-like Seongsan Ilchulbong tuff cone, rising out of the ocean, a dramatic landscape; and Mount Hallasan, the highest in Korea, with its waterfalls, multi-shaped rock formations, and lake-filled crater. The property, of outstanding aesthetic beauty, also bears testimony to the history of our planet; to its features and processes.

The World Heritage Committee, meeting in Christchurch for its 31st session will continue examining properties proposed for inscription on UNESCO’s World Heritage List on Thursday.

ivanhenares

June 27th, 2007, 07:30 PM

^^ I wonder how the Koreans would feel if we built a spa in the Jeju Volcanic Island... :ohno:

ivanhenares

June 28th, 2007, 05:09 PM

World Heritage Committee inscribes four new cultural sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List
Thursday, June 28, 2007

The World Heritage Committee on Thursday afternoon inscribed four cultural sites on UNESCO's World Heritage List: Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and its Cultural Landscape (Japan), Parthian Fortresses of Nisa (Turkmenistan), Sydney Opera House (Australia), and the Red Fort Complex (India).

The Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine, south-west of Honshu Island, is a cluster of mountains, rising to 600 metres and interspersed by deep river valleys featuring the archaeological remains of large-scale mines, smelting and refining sites and mining settlements worked between the 16th and 20th centuries. The site also features transportation routes used to transport silver ore to the coast, and port towns from where it was shipped to Korea and China. The high quality of the silver resulting from the use of advanced techniques, and the quantity of silver mined, contributed substantially to the overall economic development of Japan and southeast Asia in the 16th and 17th centuries, and prompted the mass production of silver and gold in Japan. The mining area is now heavily wooded. Included in the site are fortresses, shrines, parts of Kaidô transportation routes to the coast and three port towns, Tomogaura, Okidomari and Yunotsu, from where the ore was shipped. The property extends to 442 ha. and the buffer zone 3,221 ha.

Parthian Fortresses of Nisa consists of two tells of Old and New Nisa which indicate the site of one of the earliest and most important cities of the Parthian Empire, was a major power from the mid 3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD. They have been relatively undisturbed for nearly two millennia and conserve the unexcavated remains of an ancient civilization which skilfully combined its own traditional cultural elements with those of the Hellenistic and Roman west. Archaeological excavations in two parts of the site have revealed richly decorated architecture, illustrative of domestic, state, and religious functions. Most of the excavation to date has been carried out at the Royal citadel, now known as Old Nisa, but the site also includes the ancient town, known as New Nisa. Old Nisa is a 14-ha tell shaped like an irregular pentagon and surrounded by a high defensive earth rampart with more than 40 rectangular towers, its corners flanked by powerful bastions. The 25-ha tell of New Nisa is surrounded by powerful walls, up to 9m high on all sides, with two entrances. Situated at the crossroads of important commercial and strategic axes, the archaeological remains of Nisa vividly illustrate the significant interaction of cultural influences from central Asia and the Mediterranean in this powerful empire which formed a barrier to Roman expansion while serving as an important communication and trading centre between east and west, north and south. The site testifies to the significance of this imperial power, to its wealth and culture.

Inaugurated in 1973, the Sydney Opera House, is listed as a great architectural work of the 20th century that brings together multiple strands of creativity and innovation, both in architectural form and structural design. A great urban sculpture set in a remarkable waterscape, at the tip a peninsula projecting into Sydney Harbour, the building has had an enduring influence on architecture. The Opera House comprises three groups of interlocking vaulted ‘shells' which roof two main performances halls and a restaurant. These shell-structure are set upon a vast platform and are surrounded by terrace areas that function as pedestrian concourses. In 1957, when the project of the Sydney opera was attributed by an international jury to the then almost unknown Danish architect Jørn Utzon, it marked a radically new and collaborative approach to construction. In listing the building, the Sydney Opera House is recognized as a great artistic monument accessible to society at large.

The Red Fort Complex was built as the palace fort of Shahjahanabad - the new capital of the 5th Mughal Emperor of India, Shahjahan (1628-58). It gets its name from its massive enclosing walls of red sandstone. It is adjacent to an older fort, the Salimgarh, built by Islam Shah Sur in 1546, with which it forms the Red Fort Complex. The private apartments consist of a row of pavilions connected by a continuous water channel, known as the Nahr-i-Behisht, or the Stream of Paradise. The palace was designed as an imitation of paradise as described in the Koran; a couplet inscribed in the palace reads, ‘If there be a paradise on earth, it is here, it is here'. The Red Fort is considered to represent the zenith of Mughal creativity which, under the Emperor Shahjahan, was brought to a new level of refinement. The planning of the palace is based on Islamic prototypes, but each pavilion reveals architectural elements typical of Mughal building, reflecting a fusion of Persian, Timurid and Hindu traditions The Red For's innovative planning and architectural style, including its garden design, strongly influenced later buildings and gardens in Rajasthan, Delhi, Agra and further afield. The monument's significance is further enhanced by the importance of events that happened. Through its fabric, the complex reflects all phases of Indian history from the Mughal period to independence.

The World Heritage Committee will continue inscribing new sites later today.

ivanhenares

June 28th, 2007, 05:11 PM

^^ Notice the Sydney Opera House, built in 1973 but already World Heritage.

ivanhenares

June 28th, 2007, 05:12 PM

The World Heritage Committee today inscribed two natural sites on UNESCO's World Heritage List: Teide National Park (Spain); Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathian (Slovakia, Ukraine). The Committee also inscribed the Ecosystem and Relict Cultural Landscape of Lopé-Okanda (Gabon) as a mixed - cultural and natural - site. Four cultural sites were inscribed: the Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Lanscape (South Africa) as a cultural landscape, and Twyfelfontein or /Ui-//aes (Namibia), the Kaiping Diaolou and Villages (China) and Samarra Archaeological City (Iraq), which was also placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger. It furthermore decided to approve the extension of the natural site of Jungfrau - Aletsch - Bietschhorn, (Switzerland).

Situated on the island of Tenerife, Teide National Park covers 18,990 ha and features the Teide-Pico Viejo stratovolcano that, at 3,718 m, is the highest peak in Spain. Standing 7,500m above the ocean floor, it is regarded as the world's third tallest volcanic structure and is situated in a spectacular environment. The visual impact of the site is all the greater due to atmospheric conditions that create constantly changing textures and tones in the landscape and a ‘sea of clouds' that forms a visually impressive backdrop to the mountain. Teide is of global importance in providing evidence of the geological processes that underpin the evolution of oceanic islands, complementing those of volcanic properties already on the World Heritage List, such as the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (U.S.A.).

The Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathian constitute a transnational serial property of ten separate components along a 185 km axis from the Rakhiv Mountains and the Chornohirskyi Range in the Ukraine, west along the Polonynian Ridge, to the Bukovské Vrchy and Vihorlat Mountains in Slovakia. The ten sites represent an outstanding example of undisturbed, complex temperate forests and exhibit the most complete and comprehensive ecological patterns and processes of pure stands of European beech across a variety of environmental conditions. They contain an invaluable genetic reservoir of beech and many species associated with, and dependent on, these forest habitats. They also represent an outstanding example of the re-colonization and development of terrestrial ecosystems and communities after the last ice age, a process which is still ongoing.

The Ecosystem and Relict Cultural Landscape of Lopé-Okanda demonstrates an unusual interface between dense and well conserved tropical rainforest and relict savannah environments with a great diversity of species, including endangered large mammals, and habitats. The site illustrates ecological and biological processes in terms of species and habitat adaptation to post-glacial climatic changes. It contains evidence of the successive passages of different peoples who have left extensive and comparatively well preserved remains of habitation around hilltops, caves and shelters, evidence of iron-working and a remarkable collection of some 1,800 petroglyphs, or rock carvings. The property's collection of Neolithic and Iron Age sites, together with the rock art found there, reflects a major migration route of Bantu and other peoples from West Africa along the River Ogooué valley to the north of the dense evergreen Congo forests and to central east and southern Africa, that has shaped the development of the whole of sub-Saharan Africa. This is Gabon's first World Heritage site.

The 160,000 ha. Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape of dramatic mountainous desert in the north-west part of South Africa constitutes a cultural landscape communally owned and managed. This property sustains the semi-nomadic pastoral livelihood of the Nama people, reflecting seasonal patterns that may have persisted for as much as two millennia in Southern Africa. It is the only area where the Nama still construct portable houses, haru oms. The property includes seasonal migrations and grazing grounds, stockposts (bases used by the herders as they move with their herds of sheep and cattle on a seasonal basis) and Nama rush mat houses, small hemispherical portable structures, consisting of a wooden frame of intersecting wooden hoops, covered over with fine mats of braided local rushes. The pastoralists inhabiting this property collect medicinal and other plants and have a strong oral tradition associated with different places and attributes of the landscape.

Twyfelfontein or /Ui-//aes has one of the largest concentrations of rock petroglyphs, i.e. rock carvings, in Africa. Over 2,000 figures have been documented to date. Most of these well-preserved carvings represent rhinoceroses, elephants, ostriches, and giraffes, as well as drawings of human and animal footprints. The property also includes six painted rock shelters with motifs of human figures in red ochre. The objects excavated from two parts of the property, including stone artefacts, ostrich eggshell beads, and schist pendants, dated from the Late Stone Age. Representations of humans, or of flying birds, are rare and it has been suggested that the figures were produced to illustrate the ritual transformation of humans into animals. The most celebrated example is the ‘Lion Man' a lion with five toes on each paw. The imagery suggests the rock art was linked to the belief system of hunter-gatherers who dominated the area until the arrival of pastoralists around 1000 AD. The site forms a coherent, extensive and high quality record of ritual practices relating to hunter-gatherer communities in this part of southern Africa over at least 2,000 years; and, eloquently illustrates the links between the ritual and economic practices of hunter-gatherers. This property is Namibia's first World Heritage site.

Kaiping Diaolou and Villages, feature the Diaolou, multi-storied defensive village houses in Kaiping, Guangdong Province, which display a complex and flamboyant fusion of Chinese and Western structural and decorative forms. They reflect the significant role of émigré Kaiping people in the development of several countries in South Asia, Australasia, and North America, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and the close links between overseas Kaiping and their ancestral homes. The property inscribed here consists of four groups of Diaolou, totaling some 1,800 tower houses in their village settings. They reflect the culmination of almost five centuries of tower-house building and the still strong links between Kaiping and the Chinese Diaspora. These buildings take three forms: communal towers built by several families and used as temporary refuge, of which 473 remain; residential towers built by individual rich families and used as fortified residences, of which 1,149 survive; and watch towers, the latest development, which account for 221 of the buildings. Built of stone, pise (compressed earth), brick or concrete, these buildings represent a complex and confident fusion between Chinese and western architectural styles. Retaining a harmonious relationship with the surrounding agricultural landscape, the Diaolou testify to the final flowering of local building traditions that started in the Ming period in response to local banditry.

Samarra Archaeological City, inscribed both on the World Heritage List and on the List of World Heritage in Danger is the site of a powerful Islamic capital city which ruled over the provinces of the Abbasid empire extending from Tunisia to Central Asia for a century. Located on both sides of the River Tigris 130km north of Baghdad, the length of the site from north to south is 41.5km; its width varies from 8km to 4km. It testifies to the architectural and artistic innovations that developed there and spread to the other regions of the Islamic world and beyond, the Great Mosque and its Spiral Minaret, 9th century, are among the numerous remarkable architecture monuments of the site, 80% of which remain to be excavated.

The extension of the natural World Heritage property of Jungfrau - Aletsch - Bietschhorn (first inscribed in 2001), expands the site to the east and west, bringing its surface area up to 82,400 ha., up from 53,900. The site provides an outstanding example of the formation of the High Alps, including the most glaciated part of the mountain range and the largest glacier in Eurasia. It features a wide diversity of ecosystems, including successional stages due particularly to the retreat of glaciers resulting from climate change. The site is of outstanding universal value both for its beauty and for the wealth of information it contains about the formation of mountains and glaciers, as well as ongoing climate change. It is also invaluable in terms of the ecological and biological processes it illustrates, notably through plan succession. Its impressive landscape has played an important role in European art, literature, mountaineering and alpine tourism.

The World Heritage Committee is expected to inscribe more sites later today.

ivanhenares

June 28th, 2007, 05:15 PM

^^ Jackpot ang China. They got two out of the possible two already.

ivanhenares

June 28th, 2007, 05:40 PM

Arggggghhhh! Wala pang Philippines!!!

Bosnian Bridge among five new sites inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List this evening
Thursday, June 28, 2007

Christchurch, New Zealand, 28 June - The World Heritage Committee on Thursday evening inscribed another five sites on UNESCO's World Heritage List: Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge of Višegrad (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Rideau Canal (Canada), Bordeaux, Port of the Moon (France), and the Old Town of Corfu (Greece), and Lavaux, vineyard terraces (Switzerland).

The Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge of Višegrad across the Drina River in the east of Bosnia and Herzegovina was built at the end of the 16th century by the court architect Sinan on the order of the Grand Vizier Mehmed Paša Sokolović, It is characteristic of the apogee of Ottoman monumental architecture and civil engineering. It numbers 11 masonry arches, with spans of 11 to 15 metres, and an access ramp at right angles with four arches on the left bank of the river. The 179.50m long bridge is a representative masterpiece of Mimar Koca Sinan, one of the greatest architects and engineers of the classical Ottoman period and a contemporary of the Italian Renaissance, with which his work can be compared. The unique elegance of proportion and monumental nobility of the property as a whole bear witness to the greatness of this style of architecture.

The Rideau Canal, a monumental early 19th-century canal covering 202 kilometres of the Rideau and Cataraqui rivers from Ottowa south to Kingston Harbour on Lake Ontario was built primarily for strategic military purposes at a time when Great Britain and the United States of America vied for control of the region. The property, one of the first canals to be designed specifically for steam-powered vessels, also features an ensemble of fortifications. At the start of the project, in 1826, the British chose the so-called "slackwater" technology to avoid the need for extensive excavation. Instead, a series of dams were built to back up river water to a navigable depth and a chain of 50 massive locks were created. It is the best preserved example of a slackwater canal in North America demonstrating the use of this European technology in North America on a large scale. It is the only canal dating from the great North American canal-building era of the early 19th century to remain operational along its original line with most of its original structures intact. The canal was protected by the construction of six ‘blockhouses' and a fort. Defensible lockmaster's houses were later added at several lock stations and, between 1846 and 1848 four Martello towers were constructed to strengthen the fortifications at Kingston harbour. The Rideau Canal is of historical importance as it bears witness to the fight for control of the north of the American Continent.

The historic centre of Bordeaux, Port of the Moon, the port city in south-west France, is inscribed as an inhabited historic city, an outstanding urban and architectural ensemble, created in the age of Enlightenment, whose values continued up to the first half of the 20th century, with more protected buildings than any other French city, except Paris. It is also recongized for its historic role as a place of exchange of cultural values over more than 2,000 years, particularly since the 12th century due to commercial links with Britain and the Low Lands. Urban plans and architectural of the early 18th century onwards place the city as an outstanding example of innovative classical and neo-classical trends and give it an exceptional urban and architectural unity and coherence. Its urban form represents the success of philosophers who wanted to make towns into melting pots of humanism, universality and culture.

The Old Town of Corfu, on the Island of Corfu off the western coasts of Albania and Greece, is located in a strategic position at the entrance of the Adriatic Sea, and has its roots in the 8th century BC. The three forts of the town, designed by renowned Venetian engineers, were used for four centuries to defend the maritime trading interests of the Republic of Venice against the Ottoman Empire. In the course of time, the forts were repaired and partly rebuilt several times, more recently under the British rule in the 19th century. The mainly neo-classical housing stock of the Old Town is partly from the Venetian period, partly of later construction, notably the 19th century. As a fortified Mediterranean port, Corfu's urban and port ensemble is notable for its high level of integrity and authenticity.

The Lavaux, vineyard terraces, stretching for about 30km along the south-facing northern shores of Lake Geneva from the Chateau de Chillon, to the eastern outskirts of Lausanne in the Vaud Region, cover the lower slopes of the mountain side between the villages and the lake. Although there is some evidence that vines were grown in the areas in Roman times, the present vine terraces can be traced back to the 11th century, when Benedictine and Cistercian Monasteries controlled the area. The villages, small towns and intensively planted vines reflect the changing system of production and patronage over ten centuries. Extensive remains of houses, mills, fortified towers, and much of the landscape reflect the way wine production evolved over that time. The cultural landscape of the Lavaux vineyard demonstrates in a highly visible way its evolution and development over close to a thousand years, through the preserved landscape and buildings, and also the continuation and adaptation of longstanding cultural traditions, specific to its locality. It is an outstanding example of a centuries-long interaction between people and their environment developed to optimize local resources so as to produce a highly valued wine that has always been important to the local economy. Local communities have been strongly supportive of protection measures to resist the fast-growing urban settlements that could endanger the area.

Rajah_Soliman

June 28th, 2007, 08:17 PM

just for the record.... the only tunnel in Mindanao built more than 60 years ago... this should be included in the "heritage inventory"...

http://www.mindanews.com/images/Photos/26tunnel.jpg

THE TUNNEL. Travelers between Cotabato and Pagadian cities have to pass through this tunnel in Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte. Built during the Japanese occupation in World War II, the tunnel is short, around 20 meters. It is the only tunnel in Mindanao. MindaNews photo by Froilan Gallardo

ivanhenares

June 29th, 2007, 06:01 AM

Gumagalaw na ulit si Barbers!!!

SAVE THE RIZAL SHRINE!!!

While the spa issue in Taal has been raging, PTA GM Dean Barbers has silently but blatantly continued construction in Intramuros! If the sports complex is completed, it will damage the area around the Rizal Shrine, blocking the view from the walls. Calling all lovers of Rizal and concerned citizens of the Philippines, let's continue our fight to protect the Rizal Shrine and the walls of Intramuros!

Here is an older post about it:
http://ivanhenares.blogspot.com/2007/03/save-walls-of-intramuros.html

Related articles
1. Ugly side of Tourism Authority revealed
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/mar/18/yehey/top_stories/20070318top1.html
2. Former PTA heads want Gen. Mgr. Barbers charged
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/mar/18/yehey/top_stories/20070318top2.html
3. What is behind Barbers’ insistence on this project?
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/mar/18/yehey/top_stories/20070318top4.html
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http://www.malaya.com.ph/mar15/metro2.htm
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ivanhenares

June 29th, 2007, 07:11 PM

I was communicating with Toti Villalon this morning. Sorry to break the bad news. No UNESCO site for the Philippines this year.

Twenty-two new sites inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, and one deleted during Committee meeting in Christchurch
Friday, June 29, 2007

Christchurch, New Zealand, 29 June - The World Heritage Committee inscribed 22 new sites on UNESCO's World Heritage List during its ongoing session in Christchurch. The new inscriptions include 16 cultural, five natural and one mixed, cultural and natural property.

In a decision unprecedented in the history of UNESCO's Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, the Committee deleted one property, the Arabian Oryx Sanctuary, from the List because of Oman's failure to preserve the outstanding universal value of the Sanctuary.

After the additions made this year, UNESCO's World Heritage List numbers 851 properties including 660 cultural, 166 natural and 25 mixed properties.

New properties inscribed on the World Heritage List by geographical distribution:

Africa:

The Rainforests of the Atsinanana (Madagascar) comprising six national parks distributed along the eastern part of the island was inscribed as a natural property.

Ecosystem and Relict Cultural Landscape of Lopé-Okanda (Gabon) was inscribed as a mixed site, both cultural and natural. It is the country's first World Heritage site.

Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape (South Africa) of dramatic mountainous deserts in the northwest of the country was inscribed as a cultural landscape communally owned and managed by the semi-nomadic Nana people.

Twyfelfontein or /Ui-//aes (Namibia) was inscribed as a cultural site for its large concentration of rock carvings.

Arab Region:

Samarra Archaeological City (Iraq) was inscribed as a cultural site for its rich Abbassid remains. It was also inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger.

Asia and Pacific Region:

Sydney Opera House (Australia) was listed as a cultural property, a great architectural work that brings together multiple strands of creativity and innovation both in architectural form and structural design.

Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape (Azerbaijan) was inscribed as an outstanding collection of some 6,000 rock engravings bearing testimony to 4,000 years of rock art.

South China Karst (China) was inscribed as a natural property, unrivalled in terms of the diversity of its karst features and landscapes.

Kaiping Diaolou and Villages (China) features multi-storied defensive village houses, which display a complex and flamboyant fusion of Chinese and Western structural and decorative forms, and was inscribed as a cultural property.

Red Fort Complex (India) was listed as a cultural property representing the zenith of Mughal creativity and refinement.

Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine (Japan) was inscribed as a cultural landscape for its archaeological remains of mines, smelting and refining sites, along with mining settlements and transportation routes dating from the 16th to the 20th centuries.

Jeju Volcanic Islands and Lava Tubes (Republic of Korea) was inscribed as a natural property of outstanding beauty which bears testimony to the history of our planet.

Parthian Fortresses of Nisa (Turkmenistan), one of the earliest and most important cities of the Parthian Empire, a major power from the mid-3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD, was listed as a cultural landscape.

Europe and North America:

Rideau Canal (Canada), a cultural property, was listed as the best preserved canal in North America from the great canal-building era of the early 19th century to remain operational along its original line with most of its original structures intact.

Bordeaux, Port of the Moon (France) is inscribed as an outstanding urban and architectural ensemble of the Age of Enlightenment featuring innovative classical and neo-classical trends that translate into exceptional urban and architectural unity and coherence.

Old Town of Corfu (Greece), on the Island of Corfu, with its three Venetian forts and neo-classical housing was inscribed as a fortified Mediterranean port town of high integrity and authenticity.

Gamzigrad-Romuliana, Palace of Galerius (Serbia). The late Roman fortified palace compound and memorial complex was inscribed as a unique testimony of the Roman building tradition of the period of the Second Tetrarchy.

Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge of Višegrad (Bosnia and Herzegovina) was listed as a cultural site for characterizing the apogee of Ottoman monumental architecture and civil engineering.

Teide National Park (Spain) was listed as a natural site for its beauty and its importance in providing evidence of the geological processes that underpin the evolution of oceanic islands.

Lavaux Vineyard Terraces (Switzerland) was inscribed as a cultural landscape that is an outstanding example of centuries-long interaction between people and their environment developed to optimize local resources so as to produce a highly valued win.

Primeval Beech Forest of the Carpathian (Ukraine and Slovakia), was inscribed as a transnational serial natural property of ten separate components and as an outstanding example of undisturbed, complex temperate forests exhibiting the most complete ecological patterns and processes of pure stands of European beech.

Latin America and the Caribbean:

Central University City Campus of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), built from 1949 to 1952, was inscribed as a unique example of 20th-century modernism integrating urbanism, architecture, engineering, landscape design and fine arts and is one of the most significant icons of modernity in Latin America.

The Committee also removed four sites from the List of World Heritage in Danger, recognizing improvements in their conservation: Everglades National Park (USA), Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (Honduras), Royal Palaces of Abomey (Benin) and Kathmandu Valley (Nepal).

Three World Heritage sites were inscribed on the Danger List because of concern about threats to their preservation: Galapagos (Ecuador), Niokolo-Koba National Park (Senegal) and Samarra (Iraq).

During its 31st session the Committee also decided to extend the boundaries of Switzerland's Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn (inscribed in 2001).

BoNduRanT

June 30th, 2007, 01:04 PM

If you guys havent notice, the terraced roof of the Metropolitan theater is already fixed and painted. A few weeks ago, I saw workers going inside carrying steel beams and some construction materials.

ANyway, kaninang umaga, nadaanan ko yung monument ( dalawang tao, one nakatingin sa sky at parang sumisigaw at isa parang nakadapa) beside the intramuros golf course at tapat ng national museum - the fountain is working at mukhang pati yung night lighting niya eh bagong ayos.

TheAvenger

July 1st, 2007, 02:51 AM

Pinoy_ako

July 1st, 2007, 10:20 AM

le Reine

July 1st, 2007, 10:31 AM

ano nangyari sa relief map ng philippines? bakit walang tubig?

TheAvenger

July 1st, 2007, 02:06 PM

ano nangyari sa relief map ng philippines? bakit walang tubig?

ala na siguro budget.. h/ever rainy season is in the corner...
it will be full of water soon

BoNduRanT

July 3rd, 2007, 04:11 PM

Ganun naman ata talaga ginagawa, hinahayaang magdry up pag summer at saka alng ulit magkakalaman pag rainy season. Tipid nga naman.

kevinb

July 4th, 2007, 03:34 AM

If you guys havent notice, the terraced roof of the Metropolitan theater is already fixed and painted. A few weeks ago, I saw workers going inside carrying steel beams and some construction materials.

Pinapaayos na siya ngayon. Alam ko tatlong institutions may hawak dyan - GSIS, LGU of Manila tapos nakalimutan ko ung isa. More than 20 years ata ung span ng project.

Wonderboy

July 4th, 2007, 02:39 PM

Nuevas formas de habitar la ciudad
Making Cities More Human

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/839/showlettertp4.jpg

Ponentes Speakers
Manuel Delgado Ruiz
Andrés Perea Ortega
Fernando Nakpil Zialcita

Fecha Date July 31, Tuesday
Hora Time 4:30 - 7:30 pm
Lugar Venue Instituto Cervantes

Entrada gratuita Free entrance
Certificates available for those who enrol (Please call 536 6377 Isabel)

Dos profesionales filipinos y dos españoles abordan en este coloquio la ciudad desde diversas perspectivas: el urbanismo, la arquitectura, la sociología. El fin es analizar la manera en que se está habitando y construyendo la ciudad en la actualidad, y reflexionar sobre la manera en que se podría hacer en el futuro, siguiendo criterios de sostenibilidad y respeto con el medio ambiente.

Four experts from different fields, two Filipinos and two Spanish, engage in dialogue: urbanism, architecture, sociology. The objective is to analyze
the manner in which we currently live in the cities and build them, and to reflect in the ways in which we can build for the future, with sustainability and respect for the environment.

Sobre los ponentes About the Speakers

Manuel Delgado Ruiz es Licenciado en Historia del Arte y Doctor en Antropología por la Universidad de Barcelona. Entre sus libros destacan La ira sagrada (1992); Las palabras de otro hombre (1993); Diversitat i integració (1998); El animal público (Premio Anagrama de ensayo, 1999); Ciudad líquida, ciudad interrumpida (1999); Identidades dispersas (2000); Luces iconoclastas (2001) y Sociedades movedizas. Pasos hacia una antropología de las calles (2007).

Andrés Perea Ortega, arquitecto, fue uno de los cinco ganadores del Concurso Internacional de Diseño Urbano para la Ciudad Administrativa Multi-Funcional de Corea.

Fernando Nakpil Zialcita es Doctor en Antropología por la Universidad de Hawai. Entre sus publicaciones destacan Philippine Ancestral Houses 1810-1930, Authentic Though Not Exotic. Essays on Filipino Identity (2006) and Quiapo:Heart of Manila (2006).

LordCarnal

July 4th, 2007, 03:13 PM

Jesuit House of 1730 in Pari-an, Cebu City

Photos by Stanley Cabigas (a photographer of Fr. Pedro Galende O.S.A.'s upcoming book)

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/jesuithouse2copy.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/jesuithouse1copy.jpg

..

ivanhenares

July 4th, 2007, 04:12 PM

Wonderboy

July 5th, 2007, 02:10 PM

Restoration of the Metropolitan Theater

Please click the weblink below to view the restoration project on Manila's art deco theater (Special thanks to Señor Enrique and Sir Richard Tuason Bautista of NCCA Heritage Office):

http://senorenrique.blogspot.com/2007/07/renovation-of-metropolitan-theater.html

BoNduRanT

July 5th, 2007, 04:59 PM

It's time to demolish the Park and Ride!

I agree! Di nga dapat to pinatayo sa area na yun in the first place.

Rence

July 6th, 2007, 02:36 AM

:ohno: Here goes an officer of PTA that has nothing to do but destroy heritage sites!

:banana: Anyway , Those who wanted to have a piece of our country's past may try a free Postal History Walking Tour on July 15, 2007 (sunday)

Tour Areas: Liwasang Bonifacio , Post Office , Postal Museum and Library and see the Filipinas Stamp Collector's Club auction meeting !

Assembly Time: 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm near the Bonifacio monument in Liwasang Bonifacio

Start of the Tour : 1:00 pm onwards ! So far Architecture students of Adamson University , students of Arellano University ( Legarda) have already confirmed attending the walking tour!

For those who cannot make it in this month walking tour , There is still next month : Third Sunday of August !

Just PM me for more information or text me at (0919-3901671) Leave your name

penmanila

July 8th, 2007, 10:29 PM

i hope nobody minds that i mentioned the intramuros/barbers caper and other heritage issues in my column today. i also mentioned this forum. i "borrowed" a couple of pictures for my blog (you can read the column item below) but credited them to the posters here.

http://homepage.mac.com/jdalisay/blog/MyBlog.html#ilc205562850

Lili

July 10th, 2007, 05:55 AM

^ Actually, that will help the cause very much. Thank you for mentioning it in your column. Kudos to the contributors of this thread.

Wonderboy

July 10th, 2007, 11:47 AM

The Ortigas Foundation Library Monthly Lecture presents:

Loco Loco Over Deco!

Shanghai. New York. Bombay. Miami. Rio de Janeiro. Manila.

Separated by oceans, continents, and time lines, what do these cities have in common?

Not much, except all cities are a treasure-trove of Art-Deco architecture! Come and take an arm-chair journey down the roaring 20's as we explore Manila's rich Art-Deco heritage! It's all about the age of speed, jazz, boogie-woogie and the American colonial experiment in the Philippines, do swing by and join us as we gather together and go loco over Deco!

Speaker: Ivan Man Dy
When: July 19, 2007 Thursday 6:00 PM
Where: Ortigas Foundation Library
For more information please call 631-1231 local 222 (look for Aileen Matic) or e-mail ortigasfoundation@ortigas.com.ph

ivanhenares

July 10th, 2007, 12:32 PM

While having lunch discussing the revival of the Manila Historical Commission which will be renamed the Manila Historical and Heritage Commission, we noticed Atienza's 2004 Annual Report stating he has an MA in Urban Planning from the Pamantasan ng Maynila. Well, HCS checked. And we found out there was no such course! It was going to be offered in 2008! Nice try Lito Atienza! :ohno:

I'll update everyone about the Commission as soon as it meets. The chairperson is still Carmen Guerrero-Nakpil.

Wonderboy

July 10th, 2007, 02:24 PM

^^ As I mentioned via SMS, at least he's not the mayor of Manila anymore.

Which reminds me, I might take some credit units on the above-mentioed course at PLM next school year. That'll be fun.

great184

July 11th, 2007, 05:27 AM

Barbers is obviously going to earn huge kickbacks from this project. What an @@#hol#. ganda panaman ng view dyan.

Wonderboy

July 11th, 2007, 04:20 PM

I'm copy-pasting the e-mail correspondence I received regarding DPWH's current project (please note that I edited some words for clarity):

The photos below were forwarded to me by someone from Lazi, Siquijor. Note the new road being built in front of the church and convent of Lazi, Siquijor. It is about one meter higher than the existing road. The site of
the church and convent is about 30 meters above sea level.

-----

ANOTHER STUPIDITY OF THE DPWH!

I'm sending you photos of the road construction between the church and the convent. Please share them with the heritage people. They elevated the road level so that wala nang sasakyan makadaan papasok sa convent. Pati tao mahihirapan maglakad. Lalagyan daw nila ng steps. But that's beside the point. They destroyed the features of the place. See for yourself.

http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/7140/dpwh1dj9.jpg

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/1569/dpwh2to7.jpg

-----

If you feel like there's a need for DPWH to do something, you may send your complaints through their online complaint form below:

http://www.dpwh.gov.ph/feedback/complaint_form.asp

Pinoy_ako

July 12th, 2007, 01:00 PM

^^

The church-convent complex is part of the 26 churches declared as National Cultural Treasures. The NCCA website describes the San Isidro Labrador Church in Lazi as having:

Featuring wide wooden floorboards and coral stone walls, this church was built in 1857 by the Augustinian Recollects and occupies two town blocks.

The important question is, are there floodings on the road that is the reason behind the construction? If there aren't, then the church will be endangered since water will flow from the street to the church compound, increasing humidity.

If the road runs in betwen the church and convent, the resulting elevation will ruin the harmony of the complex!

NCCA should be updated on this development.

LordCarnal

July 13th, 2007, 05:43 AM

^^

Stupid indeed. I wonder how they came up with such projects. They could have just built that road away from the church. Of all the places in town, why therE?

habagatcentral1

July 13th, 2007, 06:31 AM

^^ Goodness!! Another one of those scenarios that doesn't give any importance to cultural heritage!!

Remember Loboc, Bohol. :ohno:

Pinoy_ako

July 13th, 2007, 09:15 AM

^^

Stupid indeed. I wonder how they came up with such projects. They could have just built that road away from the church. Of all the places in town, why therE?

All of their projects were like that. Remember Carcar and Loboc.

Animo

July 14th, 2007, 07:24 PM

^^

Stupid indeed. I wonder how they came up with such projects. They could have just built that road away from the church. Of all the places in town, why therE?

^^ Goodness!! Another one of those scenarios that doesn't give any importance to cultural heritage!!

Remember Loboc, Bohol. :ohno:

Ambot na ani. Mabuang gyud ko sa unsay gi huna-huna diha. :ohno:

Animo

July 14th, 2007, 07:25 PM

BY CZERIZA VALENCIA

THE Philippine Reef will be showcased in the California Academy of Sciences when the research center at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco opens in 2008.

Philippine consul general Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Steinhart Aquarium, the world’s "deepest and most bio-diverse and interactive" aquariums, will house the Philippine Reef exhibit.

Last June 19, Sanchez and her staff visited the academy which has been under construction for eight years.

The academy, she said, utilizes San Francisco’s mild climate for natural ventilation and thermal insulating properties to reduce air-conditioning. It also uses natural lighting.

The academy’s facility will include an aquarium, planetarium, as well as natural history exhibits, research laboratories and classrooms, and an "enormous" Brazilian biosphere.

"The Philippine Reef Exhibit will highlight the country as one of the most bio-diverse marine environments in the world. It will offer guests an unprecedented view of underwater life, provide insight into the critical role that aquatic environments play in life on Earth, and educate visitors on the conservation and protection of the world’s endangered reefs," Sanchez said.
Among the famous Philippine Reefs is the Tubbataha Reef located in the Sulu Sea. It is now a marine protected area called the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park.

It was declared a World Heritage Site in December 1993 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (Unesco).
It was placed under the protective management of the Department of National Defense. It is under technical supervision of the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The Reef houses over one thousand species, many of which are endangered. Among these are manta rays, lionfish, tortoise, and clownfish.
The Philippines co-hosted with Spain the Asia-Europe Meeting Initiative on Employment Workshops Related to the Restoration of Cultural Heritage and the Environment last June 14-15 in Madrid, said Ambassador Miguel Angel Moratinos.

The workshop seeks to find ways to provide employment in the area of cultural preservation. The Philippine delegation was headed by historian Ambeth Ocampo, chair of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

In his workshop presentation, Ocampo said that in many developing countries, culture or heritage is "not at the top of the government priorities" because the national agenda is "understandably focused" on economics, trade, politics and security.

"Heritage is often seen as an expense except when it is associated with tourism that generates income. In the Philippines, heritage is a novel concept, and often associated with built heritage or tangible heritage that dates back to the Spanish colonial period," Ocampo said.Among the Philippine historical sites, he cited the San Agustin church in Manila, Miagao church in Iloilo, Sta. Maria church in Ilocos Sur and Paoay Church in Ilocos Norte which have been declared by Unesco as World Heritage Sites.

Last April, the Philippines signed a pact with the Vatican for the preservation of these heritage churches.

The pact will implement measures on the regulation of Church properties through proper inventory, restoration, anti-trafficking, custody and security, archiving, and promotion of tourism in the heritage sites.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/jul09/news7.htm

Animo

July 15th, 2007, 06:09 PM

http://thefaap.org/pnr/img/bnb1_lg.jpg

http://thefaap.org/pnr/img/bnb2_lg.jpg

PITTSBURGH — A Philippine cultural and historical cornerstone is being built at the University of Pittsburgh’s historic Cathedral of Learning, reported Consul General in New York Cecilia Rebong, who attended the open house where the building plan was unveiled.

The Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh (FAAP), headed by its 2007 President Tina Purpura and Architect Warren Bulseco, is spearheading this “important project” to ensure that the classroom commemorates the history and culture of Filipinos, she said.

“They have finished the design process and are now raising funds to begin building the room,” said Rebong in a statement.

The Philippine Nationality Classroom will be designed by noted Filipino architects

Cristina Turalba and Eliseo Art Silva using the Bahay na Bato concept. Bahay-na-Bato (or Stone Ancestral House) is a Spanish-influenced stately house with stone lower walls and a wooden upper story with high ceilings, sliding capiz shell windows, balustrades, and wood floors and walls.

With materials, furniture and art pieces created by artisans and craftsman from the Philippines, the design will have museum quality standards, and will comply with the Nationality Rooms’ design guidelines and the University of Pittsburgh’s construction guidelines. The historic period to be depicted should predate 1787, the date of the U.S. Constitution and the founding of the University of Pittsburgh, as required by the University.

The Philippine Nationality Room joins 26 other classrooms exceptionally built by other European, Asian and American countries. This unique assembly of rooms is said to attract 40,000 visitors annually and provide spaces for classes, meetings, and cultural activities.

For the 26 other rooms, community members of participating countries contributed with generous support, often providing architects, artists, materials, and monetary gifts to assure authenticity and superb quality in their classrooms.

“FAAP hopes for the same for the Philippine Room,” said Rebong.

Over five years of research and consultation with experts and artists to decide on this most important element of the project resulted in three concepts for consideration: Bahay Kubo, Da-Pay, and Bahay na Bato

Bahay Kubo (Nipa Hut) is a rural dwelling on stilts with thatch roofs, and walls made of bamboo, grass, leaves, and reeds. The proposal came from the student laboratory of Heritage and Conservation Architect Rene Mata of the University of the Philippines’ College of Architecture.

Dap-ay is a circular stone-paved court structure which served as a community space for villagers in pre-colonial days. The proposal was made by artist Eliseo Art Silva of Philadelphia.

At a meeting on September 13, 2006, the FAAP PNR committee evaluated the three concepts and unanimously voted the Bahay-na-Bato as the proposed design for the Philippine Nationality Room.

The winning Bahay-na-Bato concept was unveiled to the FAAP membership at its 50th Anniversary Ball on October 28, 2006. Enthusiastic support was evident from the financial contributions generated that evening.

FAAP still needs help in raising $250,000 — the projected cost of building a world-class classroom and cultural cornerstone. Their goal is to raise 80% of that amount so they can start building soon.

How to help:

1. Make a tax-deductible monetary contribution.

Your monetary donations can be made directly to the University of Pittsburgh. Please make your personal check or money order payable to:

The Treasurer - Philippine Nationality Room , University of Pittsburgh Nationality Rooms and Cultural Exchange Programs, 1209 Cathedral of Learning , Pittsburgh, PA 15260

The Philippine Nationality Room committee is under the Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh (FAAP). It is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization which promotes culture, education, and charity while preserving, sharing, and enhancing the Philippine culture in the Pittsburgh community.

2. Develop a network of supporters by providing contact information of potential donors, or by hosting gatherings of Filipino American communities for raising awareness of the PNR.

Viewing by tour and by websites:

Since 1944, members of Quo Vadis, a student organization conduct guided tours for nearly 30,000 visitors each year. For official tours, call phone/tours 412-624-6000 or email natrooms@pitt.edu. Hours Mon. - Fri.: 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Fees: Adults $3, Youths ages 8-18 $1

For a FAAP-guided tour of the Cathedral of Learning, and the Nationality Rooms in July and December 2007, please contact Tina Purpura and Melody Mendoza at 412-344-6041 or email FAAPday@thefaap.org.

To view the plan for the Philippine nationality rooms and for further information, please visit www.thefaap.org/pnr

For a virtual tour of the existing Nationality Rooms http://www.pitt.edu/~natrooms

http://www.philippinenews.com/news/view_article.html?article_id=73522842bc1850f2e2b3c6673b2739fe

Wonderboy

July 16th, 2007, 11:14 AM

Ayuntamiento in Intramuros

Everytime I’d see Ayuntamiento, I’d always asked myself, why haven’t they restored such historical structure? An insider from the Intramuros Administration mentioned that there’s a budget allotted for the restoration, which was donated by Spain. And I don’t know what happened to the project:

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/394/ayuntamientobldghi9.jpg
* Photo courtesy of US Library of Congress.

So instead of restoring the former site of Manila’s city hall, Intramuros Administration opted to give Ayuntamiento a paint job:

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/2247/ayuntamientobldg1gz8.jpg

And make use of the open space for the time being as parking lot and basketball court:

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/6710/ayuntamientobldg2yb5.jpg

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/1198/ayuntamientobldg3tx8.jpg

What a brilliant idea to preserve and protect an important edifice of our country’s history. Whatever happened to the budget? I say instead of turning Ayuntamiento into parking lot and basketball court, why not make a long term plan of restoring Ayuntamiento to its original glory? Such historical building can even be Manila’s second city hall. I hope our national government will do something and stop making excuses that they are still working on this, working on that. A lot of time has been wasted already. Honestly, I’m sick and tired of their silly excuses:

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/9857/ayuntamientobldg4ht0.jpg

PHOTO COPYRIGHT. All photography copyrights are exclusively held and no photographs from this posting may be copied, reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, sold or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise, without prior permission from the photographer.

Pinoy_ako

July 17th, 2007, 03:16 AM

ivanhenares

July 17th, 2007, 06:17 AM

^^ Wow! Huling hirit ni Atienza! :bash:

ivanhenares

July 17th, 2007, 07:09 AM

I forgot to mention we got to speak to DPWH USec. Manny Bonoan in Gemma's radio show. He said he already asked the regional office to look into it. It was a nice discussion on how to prevent these things in the future. I mentioned to him that regional office 7 is a heritage destroyer. Talk about Loboc, Baclayon, Alegria and Carcar. Buti nalang yung sa Alegria lang yung natuloy but still, it hurts to see those old bridges go.

Wonderboy

July 17th, 2007, 02:08 PM

Lili

July 18th, 2007, 06:15 AM

What's wrong with Atienza? Parang galit na galit siya sa Art Deco. Pero kitsch naman ang taste niya. As kitschy as his loud Hawaiian shirts.

And yes, whatever happened to the budget that was allegedly donated by the Spanish government for the restoration of the Ayuntamiento? What's up with that?

Pinoy_ako

July 18th, 2007, 12:24 PM

I brought my nephew to Manila Botanical and Zoological Park. I don't know what to say, but it was spruced up. Having seen the zoos of neighboring countries and those of US ( through pictures ), I think the consultants failed to grasped the rationale behind moats, and groupings of animals. In the latter case, it no longer matters because there were almost no animals, except for some deer, a goat, a hippo and a zebra in what was formerly the African exhibit area. Formerly, this area hosts two hippos, a rhino, herds of deer, a camel, zebras and ( with an s ) giraffes. As much as possible, zoos aim to simulate the natural habitat of the animals, and I was surprised to see the improvements done on the zoo.

http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/4979/manilazooyt2.th.jpg (http://img403.imageshack.us/my.php?image=manilazooyt2.jpg)

Wonderboy

July 18th, 2007, 02:53 PM

^^ I'm not really a big fan of zoos even when I was child. Naaawa kasi ako sa mga hayop na nakakulong. I remember during the early 1980s when my parents would take me to the Manila Botanical and Zoological Park, the only area I enjoyed was the lagoon because they let me hold the paddle to move the boat.

Anyway, I was reading my clippings and it's interesting to know that it was Arsenio Lacson who envisioned and built the Manila Botanical and Zoological Park. Several areas were projected for the site including Harrison Park but since there were a lot of homeless people (mostly victims of The Second World War) that occupied the area and it wasn't easy for them to simply order the homeless to vacate the park, they opted to build the zoo off Vito Cruz Street instead.

Yun nga lang, hindi nga ginalaw ni Lacson ang Harrison park, it was Imelda Marcos and her cronies who built a mall/ hotel. I don't get it. Kaunti na lang ang mga parks sa Manila during that time. Basta talaga pagkakakitaan. Puro na lang pera pera. Basta pera at profit, nagkakagulo na hindi maintindihan ang mga gahaman.

LordCarnal

July 18th, 2007, 05:57 PM

Very brilliant indeed.. :D

Who knows if they would restore it, it would end up like the Palacio del Gobernadorcillo, hehehe..

Ayuntamiento in Intramuros

Everytime I’d see Ayuntamiento, I’d always asked myself, why haven’t they restored such historical structure? An insider from the Intramuros Administration mentioned that there’s a budget allotted for the restoration, which was donated by Spain. And I don’t know what happened to the project:

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/394/ayuntamientobldghi9.jpg
* Photo courtesy of US Library of Congress.

So instead of restoring the former site of Manila’s city hall, Intramuros Administration opted to give Ayuntamiento a paint job:

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/2247/ayuntamientobldg1gz8.jpg

And make use of the open space for the time being as parking lot and basketball court:

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/6710/ayuntamientobldg2yb5.jpg

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/1198/ayuntamientobldg3tx8.jpg

What a brilliant idea to preserve and protect an important edifice of our country’s history. Whatever happened to the budget? I say instead of turning Ayuntamiento into parking lot and basketball court, why not make a long term plan of restoring Ayuntamiento to its original glory? Such historical building can even be Manila’s second city hall. I hope our national government will do something and stop making excuses that they are still working on this, working on that. A lot of time has been wasted already. Honestly, I’m sick and tired of their silly excuses:

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/9857/ayuntamientobldg4ht0.jpg

PHOTO COPYRIGHT. All photography copyrights are exclusively held and no photographs from this posting may be copied, reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, sold or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise, without prior permission from the photographer.

ivanhenares

July 20th, 2007, 06:45 PM

:banana: :banana: :banana:

Court issues TRO stopping work on Intramuros project
By Allison Lopez
Inquirer
Last updated 01:13am (Mla time) 07/20/2007

MANILA, Philippines – A Manila Regional Trial Court has issued a temporary restraining order on the P85M Intramuros sports complex project of the Philippine Tourism Authority.

The TRO was handed down by Judge Antonio Rosales of Branch 52 on July 17, eight months after construction began on the old driving range of the Intramuros Golf Club.

Rosales directed PTA General Manager Robert Dean Barbers and project contractor IA Bosque Corporation to “cease and desist” from continuing the project.

The Intramuros Administration (IA) board of administrators, represented by its chair, Tourism Secretary Joseph Durano, filed the case for Prohibition with prayer for TRO and Writ of Preliminary Injunction against Barbers and IA Bosque Corporation.

The court said Barbers had violated the provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1616, as amended, and its implementing rules that prohibit any form of construction or repair in Intramuros without a development permit from the IA. The decree declares the entire Intramuros area as a major historical landmark.

Barbers was also found by the court to have violated pertinent provisions of the memorandum of agreement entered into by the IA and the PTA, as well as some PTA policies.

Though it was being built outside the area of Intramuros, the proposed stadium encountered opposition because it was “dangerously” near the historic walls.

Barbers said in past interviews that the “desecration of a heritage site, especially the walls of Intramuros, is farthest from our minds.” The upgrading of facilities at the Golf Club, he added, had the potential to attract tourists.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/metro/view_article.php?article_id=77681

Lili

July 20th, 2007, 07:53 PM

^^ I hope the TRO becomes a permanent injunction soon.

TheAvenger

July 21st, 2007, 02:09 AM

^^ I hope the TRO becomes a permanent injunction soon.

yes I also hope it become a PRO

overtureph

July 21st, 2007, 07:46 AM

Hello Everyone,

I got this email last May but failed to act on it immediately and my apologies to Mr. Castro. Kindly read the email he sent me which I think is within his rights and a pretty much fair request.

Hopefully, we will be more respectful of other people's property and intellectual property rights. Let us give credit where credit is due.

Thank you.

email below:

You've been sent a Flickr Mail from Maleldo:

My Pictures at Skyscraper Forum

Hello, Alex here, Ivan Henares' friend, I hope u remember:
I noticed a lot of my pictures on flickr are being
"reposted" at Skyscraper Forum where you are an active
member. I've seen some of my Manila Carnival fotos, vintage
fotos of churches and even an old family foto appear in the
discussions, most of which are uncredited. I hope you can
call the attention of the other members regarding this. I
know my photos are labelled "public", but I think the least
one can do is cite the source. I have now put watermarks on
my photos.
Thanks and hope all is well,
Alex R. Castro

ivanhenares

July 22nd, 2007, 07:52 PM

I am reposting my latest blog entry here:

Heritage updates from Manila
http://ivanhenares.blogspot.com/2007/07/heritage-updates-from-manila.html

So much has happened the past few days. I've been so busy with work, school and all my organizations. Anyway, here's a run-down of some developments in the news:

1. Rizal Avenue old-timers welcome reopening (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/metro/view_article.php?article_id=77454) (Phil. Daily Inquirer, 07/19/2007)
Many people have been asking about the stand of the Heritage Conservation Society regarding the reopening of the pedestrianized portion of Avenida to vehicular traffic. In all honesty, HCS does not have a stand as of yet. And admittedly, many in the HCS Board had not seen the pedestrianized Avenida for us to say something about it. So we asked Archt. Dinky von Einsiedel for his comments, he being the urban planner in the HCS Board. Here is what he said:

"I was still living abroad when I learned of the pedestrianization of Rizal Avenue. Since that time, I have been trying to get a copy of the study that led to the 'Buhayin and Maynila' program of Mayor Atienza which the Rizal Avenue project is supposed to be part of. I've been wanting to understand the background for it and whether there had been any stakeholder consultations for it. But I have not had any success. It appears that there has been no such study. And that there has been no consultation either.

"The concept and practice of pedestrianization is well-entrenched in other cities in Europe, USA, and in more recently even in China. Its a popular approach for inner city revitalization. I assumed the Rizal Avenue case had the same set of objectives. But it seems that it was purely a beautification effort. Concededly, the construction of the LRT 'killed' businesses along the avenue especially during construction. After it was completed, the structure made the avenue dark and, while business resumed, it was not as brisk as before. I interpret this to be the reason for the need to beautify the area - to make it more pleasant for shoppers. I thought it did a good job, at least when I saw it after it was inaugurated.

"But I learned later how the project was decided. The story was narrated to me by the contractor who undertook the beautification works. They were driving down Rizal Avenue one day and Atienza asked his advice on what can be done to beautify the avenue. He suggested to pedestrianize it, put in benches and plants, beautify the columns and put in lights to brighten up the underside of the LRT structure. He added that he had a lot of leftover materials from his other projects that could be used immediately. Atienza agreed and the project proceeded.

"I understand the Baywalk was similarly decided like that, as well as other projects under the 'Buhayin ang Maynila' program. There has been no comprehensive study, no plan, no consultation, nothing; just pure and simple impulsive decisions on a project-to-project basis. That's why it's prone to be derailed especially when the principal stakeholders (e.g. business owners) don't support the idea."

2. Court issues TRO stopping work on Intramuros project (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/metro/view_article.php?article_id=77681) (Phil. Daily Inquirer, 07/20/2007)
Kudos to Secretary Joseph Durano for seeking a TRO versus Dean Barbers' illegal project in Intramuros! As the article notes: "The court said Barbers had violated the provisions of Presidential Decree No. 1616, as amended, and its implementing rules that prohibit any form of construction or repair in Intramuros without a development permit from the IA. The decree declares the entire Intramuros area as a major historical landmark."

3. Demolition of condemned Manila buildings sought (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view_article.php?article_id=78002) (Phil. Daily Inquirer, 07/21/2007)
The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Manila passed a resolution calling for the demolition of all condemned buildings and infrastructure in the city. At face value, the resolution seems to be the right thing to do. But the problem is, many heritage buildings were inappropriately condemned by the Manila City Engineer's Office which has no appreciation whatsoever for heritage.

As Prof. Butch Zialcita mentions: "I'm afraid that the list will include [heritage] buildings. Right beside the Nakpil house is the beautiful but dilapidated Boix House which the Jesuits have inherited. City Hall engineers claim this is unsafe. But Archt. Mico Manalo, who inspected it, says it is perfectly sound except for the azotea. I am quite sure they have included other 1900s houses in Manila. Their engineers are ignorant about or are prejudiced against earlier types of buildings."

4. Arroceros Forest Park regained (http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/july/06/yehey/opinion/20070706opi6.html) (The Manila Times, 07/06/2007)
Arroceros welcomes visitors again! As Maribel Ongpin writes in her column, "For the Winner Foundation and its friends among the general public, the reopening and taking back of Arroceros Forest Park under the newly elected city administration was a bittersweet experience last Sunday, July 1. That justice has prevailed and that the public has its park back is indeed a sweet vindication of all their work and the vicissitudes they had to put up with in the past. But the changed circumstances of the park of 2.2 hectares which lost approximately 70 percent of its forest cover (as estimated by its landscape architect) to a building and a travesty of a garden was woeful."

She adds, "In this whole sorry business Mayor Atienza was the mastermind but the teachers who played the flunkeys are just as guilty for the carried out their deeds for self-serving reasons. 'There are no tyrants where there are no slaves' as Rizal acutely and sadly observed of some of his countrymen. Now the Winner Foundation picks up the pieces and moves to the future even as it rebuilds what was destroyed."

5. Resistance growing vs Atienza as DENR chief (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view_article.php?article_id=77715) (Phil. Daily Inquirer, 07/20/2007)
After reading Maribel Ongpin's column, need we ask why? The "Butcher of Arroceros" is now DENR Secretary. Oh brother!

6. Adopt a lighthouse (http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view_article.php?article_id=78152) (Phil. Daily Inquirer, 07/23/2007)
According to Archt. Toti Villalon, there are "21 surviving Philippine lighthouses located in the deserted extremes of the Philippine archipelago, all rendered obsolete by 21st-century satellite or sonar navigational system." The answer of the Philippine Coast Guard to preserve them is the 'Adopt a Lighthouse' program.

As Villalon notes, "The Philippine lighthouses are Bagacay in Cebu; Bagato, Sorsogon; Batag, Northern Samar; Bugui Point, Masbate; Cabra, Mindoro Occidental; Calabasa, Iloilo; Canigao, Leyte; Cape Bojeador, Ilocos Norte; Cape Bolinao, Pangasinan; Corregidor, Manila; Cape Engaño, Cagayan; Melville, Palawan; Cape Santiago, Batangas; Capones, Zambales; Capul, Northern Samar; Donsol, Sorsogon; Jintotolo, Masbate; Malabrigo, Batangas; Pasig River, Manila; San Bernardino, Sorsogon; and Siete Pecados, Guimaras." Care to adopt one?

georgerev

July 23rd, 2007, 02:33 AM

I was in Fort Santiago yesterday and here is an updated photo of the Sports Complex right beside the Rizal shrine. Quite sad really to see the amount of work done and how close it is to the wall.

(note: my camera had the wrong date in it--hence the white blank spot on the bottom right hand side- where I took the date it out so it won't distract. The date stated year 2002 kasi)

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/georgerev/Sportscomplexnearwall1.jpg

overtureph

July 23rd, 2007, 04:28 AM

The Nakpil-Bautista house in Quiapo, Manila.

Probably the best preserved or the only preserved house in the Quiapo area.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7797.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit349.jpg

I forgot who donated the sofas, but it is said to have been used and have come from the house where the La Liga Filipina was established. It is one of a few remaining furniture in the Nakpil house which isn't a reproduction.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit347.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7793.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7791.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7790.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7789.jpg

Photos by overtureph.

Wonderboy

July 23rd, 2007, 10:29 AM

Tunnel in Fort Santiago, Intramuros

Some adobe blocks on a tunnel in Fort Santiago is beginning to disintegrate. Perhaps the Intramuros Administration or any national government office can look into this? Sooner or later, the tunnel might collapse and can cause imminent danger especially to tourists and visitors of Fort Santiago:

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/1565/tunnel1av7.jpg

http://img53.imageshack.us/img53/6417/rampit9.jpg

http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/7623/ramp1pv8.jpg

* Old photo scanned from the book, “Intramuros of Memory” edited by Jaime C. Laya and Esperanza B. Gatbonton (Manila: Intramuros Administration, 1983) , p. 31.

The book states “a ramp leading up Bastion de San Francisco from Plaza Moriones, 1935. A tunnel through the wall at the left leads to a small redoubt. The American flag was first officially raised here on August 13, 1898.”

Therefore, it’s not a mere tunnel nor a ramp, as it is historically significant.

http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/160/tunnel2zr7.jpg

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/5011/tunnel3qx2.jpg

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/9265/tunnel4bo4.jpg

The tunnel also serves as passageway to a chapel for visitors/ tourists.

Perhaps a “palitada” can be applied to protect the tunnel? Looking forward to an immediate action regarding the matter.

overtureph

July 23rd, 2007, 06:24 PM

Still the Nakpil-Bautista house.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7788.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7787.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7786.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7785.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7784.jpg

My foot in relation to how wide the wooden (probably narra) floor planks.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7783.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7782.jpg

The controversial and very expensive Juan Luna painting - Parisian Life. The original is with the GSIS.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7781.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7780.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7779.jpg

Gregoria de Jesus

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7777.jpg

One of the few remaining original furnitures in the house. I believe this table was used in making jewelry.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7776.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7775.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7778.jpg

Photos by overtureph.

Animo

July 23rd, 2007, 06:43 PM

My grandfather, Julio Nakpil, was one of Bonifacio’s most trusted men. He was designated the Second President Supremo of the Katipunan by Bonifacio before the latter left for Cavite. His wife, my grandmother, was the Bonifacio widow’s: Gregoria de Jesus. On my father’s side, a distant grand-uncle was Agapito Zialcita who had served under Bonifacio and who later on had fought under Aguinaldo against the Americans till he was caught. Writing the essay (Authentic though not exotic: Essays on Filipino identity) gave me an opportunity to reflect on why they did join. I did not mention this in the book, but I run the “Museo ng Katipunan” at Bahay Nakpil-Bautista in Quiapo to honor that movement.

Fernando Nakpil-Zialcita - In lieu to overtureph's photos!

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1361/876364345_c433a426c5_o.jpg

In regards with Intramuros: when will they fix the façade of San Agustín? Don't they have to paint it every 5 years or so to maintain the colour?

overtureph

July 23rd, 2007, 06:59 PM

Lili

July 23rd, 2007, 09:58 PM

Wonderful contribution @overtureph. I really enjoyed that showcase of the Nakpil house in Quiapo. I feel transported in time. I am glad that they managed to preserve that house. Gregoria De Jesus is a beautiful woman with a soft demeanor.

Re: the house beside the Nakpil house bequeated to the Jesuits. There was a time, there were lots of those in the Sampaloc area. Many have been converted to concrete houses because there was a time that wooden houses always caught fire, so people without regard to the prospective historic value of their houses, converted them to concrete houses with iron roofs and firewalls. It is sad.

When I look at that house, I see that they have mixed up architectural details. The upper part with the barandilla and azotea is Turn of the Century while the lower portion has window grills popular in the 50s - 60s.

I remember my lola's house was converted in such a way that the facade was modern (50s) with sliding etched glass windows and grills like those while the back portion had those capiz windows.

ivanhenares

July 24th, 2007, 07:36 PM

Pasig River runs through them
CITY SENSE By Paulo Alcazaren
Saturday, July 21, 2007

This week’s column features issues on two sides (actually two ends) of an important metropolitan landmark, the Pasig River. The two stories highlight celebration at the inland end of the river and rising concerns over illegal construction that threatens another landmark, Intramuros at the mouth of the Pasig.

The Celebration

Pasig, the town at the end of the river, is known for its rich heritage and its loyal residents known for their pursuit of art, love of culture and deep-rooted tradition. Artists in the 19 th and 20 th centuries like Fernando Amorsolo and Botong Francisco regularly traveled to this picturesque town to paint riverscapes, portraits of its inhabitants, and to maintain convivial relations with the town’s artistic community.

This relationship with renowned Manila artists helped Pasig engender its own stock of creative talents, who eventually organized themselves into a society known as the Pasig Art Club. This year, the club celebrates its golden anniversary and has established itself as the prime steward of Pasigueño art, culture and tradition.

Though I was born in Cebu and grew up as a child in Quezon City, I did spend my high school and college years as a suburbanite in Baryo Kapitolyo, Pasig. I regularly visited the town to see relatives or go to the large new market (which in the 60s boasted an innovative concrete hyperbolic paraboloid roof). After college, I frequented the town because one of my partners in a design consultancy lived there, Horacio Ace Dimanlig. It was Ace who introduced me to the Pasig Art Club and the delights of the Pasig with its surrounding waterside towns.

The club regularly organizes weekend sketching, painting and photography forays to what remains of our pastoral countryside (amazingly still a lot), heritage structures in the town and its banks like the old American-era provincial capitol near C-5 and in the Pasig Art Museum. The museum is the PACs headquarters and venue for its frequent art shows and exhibits. A revivalist-style mansion fronting the town plaza, it was adaptively reused from the old Concepcion family mansion. A fascinating and welcoming venue, it is here that the club will open its 50th Anniversary art exhibit on Saturday, July 28.

The club will also celebrate with a series of lectures at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasig. Speakers include Dr. Ramon Santos, former dean of the UP College of Music who will give a talk on the development of ethnic music in the Philippines from pre-historic to contemporary times, and Dr. Gerard Rey A. Lico from the faculty of the UP College of Architecture, who will give a concise appraisal of Philippine Design in the 20th century highlighting the genius of the Filipino in adapting and indigenizing his designs.

Finally, the club will launch its commemorative book Pasig Art Club: A Golden Legacy, containing the club’s story from its inception in the 1950s, biographical sketches of the club’s members past and present, and reproductions of their work in 20 full-color pages. Also in the coffee table book is a collection of essays on the Pasig and Pasigueño art and culture.

Things are looking up for Pasig. I now call it home again though I’m still at its fringes (Valle Verde). Access to C-5 and the Ortigas Central Business District makes it a good place to live. I spoke to the newly-elected Mayor Bobby Eusebio and he’s lining up a slew of projects that seek to improve the town’s urban design and parks along with all open spaces.

Concerns At The Other End Of Pasig

The Intramuros, or the walled city of Manila, is a national (and Asian) heritage site that was almost lost to the ravages of war and the post-war invasion of informal settlers. It has been slowly recovering its fabric in the ‘70s to today, hanging on desperately despite recurring threats from commercialization.

Today, another threat is emerging, actually already rising in concrete and steel — a sports complex by the storied walls of Old Manila! The monstrous encroachment is reportedly the project of Dean Barbers, Philippine Tourism Authority general manager. Costing P85 million, the complex is being built in the Club Intramuros driving range area (itself already a blight on the landscape) and very close to the walls. The project, say sources, was rammed through despite the disapproval of the PTA board. How GM Barbers was able to do this seems incomprehensible to everyone but the contractor and workers at the construction site. Even the Intramuros Administration has issued an order for the work to stop but to no avail.

Tourism Secretary Ace Durano apparently also seems powerless to prevent the disaster from happening. He had reportedly sent a memo to Barbers to stop construction, reminding Barbers that the project has no approval from the PTA board.

I wish the P85 million had been spent on improving the parks and plazas of the Intramuros. The money could also go a long way to make the destination friendlier to local and foreign tourists by providing better street lighting, more security, an ikot type hop-on, hop-off shuttle inside the walls, or simply contribute to the whole areas upkeep, garbage collection and general maintenance.

The DOT, to which the PTA is supposedly attached, has to act now or take command responsibility for this madness. The metropolis is replete with sports complexes and, correct me if I’m wrong, building these facilities is not a core function of a tourism body. Otherwise, it should be renamed the DOST, the Department of Sports and Tourism and its adjunct office, the PSTA, the Philippine Sports and Tourism Authority.

Wow, only in da Pilipins!

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Modern%20Living&p=49&type=2&sec=46&aid=2007072073

overtureph

July 25th, 2007, 12:55 AM

http://filipinolibrarian.blogspot.com/2005/10/state-of-filipiniana.html

thomasian

July 25th, 2007, 01:51 PM

I hope it gets preserved or restored...

Luneta Hotel

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b358/thomasian/100_7408x.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b358/thomasian/100_7407x.jpg

OtAkAw

July 25th, 2007, 04:53 PM

^^That was featured months back on an I-Witness Documentary entitled "Mansyon de Pobre", along with Manila's most (in)famous colonial-era houses and mansions that have fallen into decay due to Filipino stupidity. That one particularly has a very sad story.

JudeD

July 25th, 2007, 06:26 PM

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa305/judedefensor/nielsoncrop.jpg
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa305/judedefensor/hcscrop.jpg

Buy the latest issue of Expat Travel & Lifestyle magazine to read the full articles!

ivanhenares

July 25th, 2007, 07:50 PM

I was toured today by Archt. Richard Bautista around the Metropolitan Theatre. Check out the photos here: http://ivanhenares.multiply.com/photos/album/173

jbkayaker12

July 26th, 2007, 02:07 AM

I
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f119/georgerev/Sportscomplexnearwall1.jpg

As always in the Philippines it goes around and around, they have waited until there has been a considerable amount of construction done before they do anything to stop it. Paikot ikot!

Not that I agree with the construction of this complex but just imagine how much productivity and money wasted on this project when it could have been built somewhere else if the people in charge on both sides, the IA and the owner of this complex acted responsibly.

Animo

July 26th, 2007, 06:41 PM

Join us this Saturday, July 28 at 9:00 am as we explore the Chinese cemetery in La Loma (beside the North Cemetery).

Be it deadly curiosity or a simple interest in old Manila, the tour helps you learn more about Filipino-Chinese heritage and the stories of the most powerful magnates in Pinoy history.

This is in partnership with Old Manila Walks (http://www.oldmanilawalks.com/)- a group of passionate streetwalkers that lets you "experience the best of historic Manila - one step at a time."

When you come with us on this trip, you also let SIX (6) students from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila walk with us. This is one of the initial steps in our Field Trip for Public School Students program.

Read more about this unique tour here (http://www.youthtrip.org/archives/ytrip-walk-chinese-cem-jul2807.html) . The tour fees of the first three people to sign-up are on us! Email us at youthtrip@gmail.com.

THANKS!

Clare Cattleya dG. Amador
http://clarechronicles.wordpress.com
http://youthtrip.org
cattleya.amador@gmail.com
+639185211087

Wonderboy

July 27th, 2007, 03:14 PM

8TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON PHILIPPINE STUDIES
23-26 July 2008, Manila, Philippines

Theme: Philippine Studies for the 21st Century
New Meanings, Critiques, and Trajectories

The 8th International Conference on Philippine Studies (ICOPHIL) aims to provide a forum for scholars engaged in research on the general field of Philippine Studies. Reflecting on developments and discourses that shed light on Philippine realities in a global era, this International Conference hopes to reconceptualize Philippine Studies and chart new directions for the 21st century.

The Program Committee invites conference presentations from Philippine Studies Association members, affiliated societies, and local and foreign scholars in all disciplines. The Committee encourages creativity and innovation with regard to both intellectual content and presentation. In addition to panels, formats including poster sessions, thematic workshops, roundtable discussions, and other departures from traditional formal paper presentations are encouraged. The Committee particularly welcomes interdisciplinary or border-crossing proposals that complement or depart from conventional historical, chronological, geographic and disciplinary boundaries. Younger scholars are especially encouraged to participate.

Proposals should be submitted to the 8th ICOPHIL Secretariat at the Philippine Social Science Council via email (icophil@pssc.org.ph) or fax (632-924-4178 or 632-922-9621) by 15 November 2007. Proposals must include a 150-word abstract of the panel/paper as well as the name, affiliation and contact details of the proponent. Complete panels by potential chairs will be given priority but individual proposals will also be considered.

Since 1989, the ICOPHIL conference series has been held every 4 years at an international hosting institution. The 2008 ICOPHIL is hosted by the Philippine Studies Association in conjunction with the International Philippine Studies Conferences Board based at the University of Hawaii’s Center for Philippine Studies. The 2012 ICOPHIL will be hosted by Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA.

KEY DATES

15 November 2007 Submission of panel/paper/ presentation ABSTRACT
15 January 2008 Notification of acceptance
30 April 2008 Submission of full papers
23-26 July 2008 Philippine Social Science Center, Quezon City

REGISTRATION FEES

Onsite PhP5,000
Early bird rate PhP4,000
(until 30 June 2008)*

*No Refund After JULY 1, 2008

The Philippine Studies Association (PSA), convener of the 8th ICOPHIL in Manila, was established in 1984 to promote multidisciplinary research and broader understanding of Philippine society and culture. Since 1984, it has sponsored national and regional Philippine studies conferences. The PSA has also coordinated with the ICOPHIL Board, formally established in 1996, in the planning of the International Philippine Studies Conferences. The 7th ICOPHIL was hosted by Leiden University in The Netherlands.

SUGGESTED TOPICS FOR PROPOSALS/PANELS

• Theories and Dimensions of Analysis in
Philippine Studies
• Changing Philippine Institutions, Ideologies, Practices, and Technologies
• Problematizing the Nation and the State
• Globalization Issues
• Histories, Cultures, Identities
• Colonial Discourse and Post-Colonial Studies
• The Philippine Diaspora
• Gender Studies
• Human and Ecosystem well-being
• Education for the 21st Century
• Population Studies
• Philippine Media
• Similar topics may be proposed.

INQUIRIES

Bernardita R. Churchill (nitachurchill@hotmail.com)
Belinda A. Aquino (lyndy@hawaii.edu)
ICOPHIL Secretariat (icophil@pssc.org.ph)

jbkayaker12

July 27th, 2007, 08:48 PM

The house beside the Nakpil-Bautista house.

I was told that the house was bequethed to the Jesuits but the problem I was told, are the tenants who are occupying the house. In my opinion, this house is one of the most beautiful colonial era houses in the area.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7800.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7799.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7798.jpg

Photos by overtureph.

The problem not only lie with the present occupants but the politicians and people running for office. Just look at all the political paraphernalia posted on that house. These "politicians" dont care or know nothing about the state of that heritage house.

overtureph

July 27th, 2007, 11:30 PM

overtureph

July 28th, 2007, 03:49 AM

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7755.jpg

Ocampo pagoda in Quiapo. I think the old Ocampo residence was demolished.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7804.jpg

Paterno mansion on Hidalgo St., Quipao (near the courtyard)

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7803.jpg

back portion

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7802.jpg

part of the courtyard

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7801.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7805.jpg

piedra china - the piedra china on the front portion of the old house/courtyard where stolen as related to us by one of the occupants of this once grand house. So the remaining pavements where transferred to the back of the house. At least, I guess, the people living (which seems to be a small barangay inside, it's a really big bahay na bato) in the Paterno mansion knows the value of heritage.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7806.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7807.jpg

One of the stairs leading to the upper portion of the house. This entrance is near the front portion of the courtyard.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7808.jpg

Tiles or is it black and white marble at the stairs landing.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7809.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7810.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7811.jpg

Main door of the house leading towards the courtyard. One of the doors is unhinged.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7812.jpg

I can't remember if this is part of the Paterno house (probably is) or the Zamora house on the same street but on the opposite side and a few steps from the Paterno's.

Photos by overtureph.

jbkayaker12

July 28th, 2007, 04:11 AM

^^ It's not just the politicians, but also Filipinos attitude towards heritage and our own history. If Filipinos really cared about heritage, places like Calle Hidalgo, Intramuros etc. would not be in their present state if we are more respectful of our past and heritage. We lack being proactive and only being reactive while the rest of us are apathetic.

That is a already a given, but the ones that can make a change, the people in charge are the ones at the forefront of desecrating and destroying our heritage.

overtureph

July 28th, 2007, 04:32 AM

At the forefront really are affluent families who let there ancestral houses to decay or rot. As well as ordinary citizens who could campaign and pressure concerned agencies or institutions to preserve historical structures. A good example would be the parishioners of the Immucalate Conception parish in Batangas City who opposed the construction of a McDonald's on church grounds.

It still all boils down to ignorance and apathy.

jbkayaker12

July 28th, 2007, 06:05 AM

^^^^RE: McDonalds

The local government should not release any building permits especially if it is not zone for that particular business establishment. If it pushes through then when it comes to election time just hope the constituents speak once again this time through their votes.

jbkayaker12

July 28th, 2007, 07:01 AM

Im home now so I can stay online longer. Dagdag ko lang, you keep saying ignorance and apathy, parang sinabi mo na rin na istupido kayo diyan. You cannot use ignorance as an excuse, there has to be accountability.

Apathy or lack of interest, it seem this is contrary to what you've just posted earlier about the construction of Mcdonalds on church grounds which was or being opposed by the townspeople. This is not apathy on the part of the populace.

Regarding pvt properties well that is a tough call but there are ways old abandoned properties can be utilized once again just like the ones in Vigan of course with the owners being given perks like tax breaks if they decide to fix up their ancestral homes.

overtureph

July 28th, 2007, 07:08 AM

^^ If you're in the Philippines, look around you, most specially if you live in an old colonial town. It might help if you have an old picture of the place or a specific old colonial structure and compare it to the present, if it still exist though. And please try to re-read what I wrote, if that doesn't help, read between the lines.

overtureph

July 28th, 2007, 07:23 AM

Im home now so I can stay online longer. Dagdag ko lang, you keep saying ignorance and apathy, parang sinabi mo na rin na istupido kayo diyan. You cannot use ignorance as an excuse, there has to be accountability.

Apathy or lack of interest, it seem this is contrary to what you've just posted earlier about the construction of Mcdonalds on church grounds which was or being opposed by the townspeople. This is not apathy on the part of the populace.

Regarding pvt properties well that is a tough call but there are ways where old abandoned properties can be utilized once again just like the ones in Vigan of course with the owners being given perks like tax breaks if they decide to fix up their ancestral homes.

By the way, I suggest you watch your language and lets avoid being too ad hominem with our arguments, just because we're having difficulty in expressing our point. Let's not turn this into one of the threads that sometimes go overboard (Should Spanish be and official language thread).

jbkayaker12

July 28th, 2007, 07:34 AM

Im not the one having difficutly expressing my views but it seem this will not go the way we wanted it to so I guess move on.

overtureph

July 28th, 2007, 07:37 AM

Right on and move on. Lets just say we have agreed to disagree.

habagatcentral1

July 28th, 2007, 05:17 PM

Ocampo pagoda in Quiapo. I think the old Ocampo residence was demolished.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7804.jpg

Paterno mansion on Hidalgo St., Quipao (near the courtyard)

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7803.jpg

back portion

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7802.jpg

part of the courtyard

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7801.jpg

One of the stairs leading to the upper portion of the house. This entrance is near the front portion of the courtyard.

Tiles or is it black and white marble at the stairs landing.

Main door of the house leading towards the courtyard. One of the doors is unhinged.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7812.jpg

I can't remember if this is part of the Paterno house (probably is) or the Zamora house on the same street but on the opposite side and a few steps from the Paterno's.

^^ If i am not mistaken, was this the house used by Christopher DeLeon and Gloria Diaz's classic "Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon". :)

overtureph

July 29th, 2007, 04:57 AM

Zamora house, Hidalgo St., Quiapo, Manila

As compared to the Paterno house on the same street, the Zamora house seems to have only one occupant the caretaker. But the huge house has been partially divided by a high wall made of hollow blocks.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7827.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7826.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7825.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7828.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7824.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7823.jpg

The Zamora house also has a courtyard.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7822.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7821.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7814.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7813.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7820.jpg

As can be seen below, portions of the house (back section) has collapsed. There are parts of the collapsed section where a mini-jungle has grown ala-Tomb Raider.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7819.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7817.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7816.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7815.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7818.jpg

It might not show it in the picture (proper scale), but this is one huge wooden beam.

Photos by overtureph.

Wonderboy

July 30th, 2007, 03:33 PM

^^ Nice shots of R. Hidalgo houses, Overtureph.

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/8717/cities1ip0.jpg

http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/1416/cities2cx9.jpg

ivanhenares

July 30th, 2007, 04:43 PM

I've added Boac to my personal list of heritage towns. I didn't expect to see that much heritage! Check out the photos in: http://ivanhenares.multiply.com/photos/album/175. Those are just the church and several houses. I wasn't even able to check out the government buildings.

overtureph

July 31st, 2007, 01:05 AM

Thanks Jeff.

overtureph

July 31st, 2007, 01:07 AM

I was told that one of the old houses in Hidalgo is for sale. But I forgot the owners name of the house. If I'm not mistaken, it's the house after the Paterno's house and after the vacant lot near it.

Animo

July 31st, 2007, 01:42 AM

VALENZUELA CITY, Philippines (UCAN) – Original owners have reclaimed a St. Anthony of Padua statue that went missing from a church near Manila. They suspect the parish priest was involved in its recent disappearance.

The statue that used to stand at the altar of St. Didacus of Alcala Church in Polo village, Valenzuela City, north of Manila, is now back at the residence of the Valenzuela family in Palasan village. It stands 5 feet 5 inches, or about 1.6 meters, tall.

According to family spokesman Jay Valenzuela, an unidentified man returned the wooden figure to GMA7 national television station in Quezon City, next to Manila, on July 19. The station handed it over to the Valenzuela family. It was reported missing in April.

St. Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) was a Portuguese Franciscan priest renowned as a gifted preacher. Pope Pius XII bestowed the title "doctor of the church" on the saint in 1946.

The late Gerarda Estrada-Valenzuela, daughter-in-law of Doctor Pio Valenzuela, the Spanish-colonial-period Philippine hero after whom the city was named, donated the statue to the parish in the 1950s.

Jay Valenzuela told UCA News on July 28 that his relatives would keep the statue until they decided their next move. It was returned without the halo, belt and crown, which were made of silver and gold, he noted.

Valenzuela said that when parishioners noticed the statue was missing, he approached Father Marcelo Sanchez to request the statue be returned to the family's care. Valenzuela recalled the parish priest saying he would just "replace" it, because he had lent it to a "friend" named Cris Pineda from Arkong Bato village.

However, Valenzuela's father, a former village chief, found out Pineda was a "fictitious character" when he went to Arkong Bato and asked the village chief there if he knew Pineda, Valenzuela recounted.

He wrote the priest a personal letter on April 25 and two days later a legal demand letter. Both asked the priest to return the statue to the family, but Father Sanchez did not respond to either letter, he recalled.

When confronted at a parish pastoral council meeting, the priest told Valenzuela to talk with Austin Buno, the head sacristan. Buno told Valenzuela that Father Sanchez lent the statue to a friend he identified as Cris Perez.

Whatever the circumstances, Valenzuela sees the statue's disappearance as a "miraculous act of God" and a reminder that devotees need to "strengthen" their faith in St. Anthony, patron of lost things.

"Maybe the real message here is for us not to lose hope, and that whatever comes our way, whatever is lost will be returned," Valenzuela said.

Father Sanchez did not comment on the allegations against him, telling UCA News July 27 that he did not want publicity over this issue.

Msgr. Andres Valera, vicar general of Malolos Diocese, which serves Valenzuela City and Bulacan province, told UCA News July 26 that the diocese does not believe the accusations against Father Sanchez. He stressed there is "no longer" a need for a church investigation because the statue has been returned.

On July 28, devotees celebrated its return with a motorcade of 40 vehicles through 12 villages of the parish. Parishioners who could not join the motorcade lined the roadside. The motorcade ended at Polo Memorial Park, beside the parish church.

Bishop Deogracias Iniguez of adjacent Kalookan Diocese and Father Mario Arenas, pastor of the National Shrine of Divine Mercy Church in Marilao, concelebrated a thanksgiving Mass at the park. Father Arenas was invited to say Mass when Father Sanchez refused to hold Mass there, Valenzuela explained.

In his homily, Father Arenas said the statue's return teaches people to "set aside the past that divides" and "welcome peace to become united as one."

Asuncion Deato, a 68-year-old lay minister, told UCA News on July 28 that with the statue's return, he felt "really happy and blessed." He said he did not know the "real story" behind the disappearance, but that what is important is that the statue is now back.

For Delie Bautista, 54, the statue's disappearance and return just proved that San Antonio (St. Anthony) is truly the patron saint of lost articles.

http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=24853

^^

This result needs more than a mass celebration. Why won't they continue to persue why it was stolen in the care of the church. Clearly the priest was involved after the precious gold and silver were looted! :|

overtureph

July 31st, 2007, 03:08 AM

^^ It's something that the church hierarchy seems to be good at, stonewalling, silence and secrecy.

Ever wondered why it seems that the Catholic church seems to be losing it's members to some sects.

Wonderboy

July 31st, 2007, 02:26 PM

THE MANILA STUDIES ASSOCIATION, INC.
40 Matiwasay Street, UP Village, Diliman, Quezon City 1101
Tel: (02) 921-4575 Telefax: (02) 926-1347
E-mail: nitachurchill@hotmail.com

16th ANNUAL MANILA STUDIES CONFERENCE
AUGUST 1-2, 2007, TANGHALANG LEANDRO V.LOCSIN
NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CULTURE AND THE ARTS
633 GENERAL LUNA STREET
INTRAMUROS, MANILA

Dear Fellow Members, Colleagues, and Friends of the Manila Studies Association:

We have the honor and pleasure to invite you to the 16tth Annual Conference of the Manila Studies Association, Inc., to be held on August 1-2, 2007 (from 8:00-5:00 p.m. both days) at Tanghalan Leandro V. Locsin, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, General Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila. This year's conference will include papers on Manila studies highlighting various aspects of Manila’s history and culture, as well as studies on national history. .

The conference sharing fee is P2,000 and participants will be provided with a conference kit to include the conference program, abstracts and conference papers (in CD), one complimentary publication, and lunch and two meriendas for the two days of the conference.

Please use this letter of invitation for the purpose of obtaining institutional support from your school or agency to enable you to participate in this conference, which should be useful for faculty development.

For particulars, please contact:
Lorelei D.C. de Viana Cell: 0917-855-0060 E-mail: deviana_ph@yahoo.com

Maria Eloisa P. de Castro Cell: 0921-267-1281 E-mail: eloise_ust@hotmail.com

We look forward to your attendance and participation.

Yours sincerely,

Lorelei D.C. de Viana Maria Eloisa P. de Castro
National Historical Institute University of Santo Tomas
MSA Vice President and Co-Convener MSA Board Secretary and Co-Convener

Noted:

Bernardita R. Churchill, Ph.D.
MSA Board President and Convener

Animo

July 31st, 2007, 08:05 PM

August 19, 2007 - Philatelic History Walking Tour

(Post Office, Postal Museum and Library ,Filipinas Stamp Collector's Club Meeting)

August 30 , 2007 - Opening of the 61st Mid-year Orchid and Garden Show

(Quezon Cityhall grounds)

August 31 to September 10 Show, Lectures, Exhibits , Trade Fairs

(Complimentary Tickets for the Orchid show will be available upon request but limited slots are available)

Entrace free for the Show: P30 for adults , P20 for Students and
Senior Citizens with valid ID

Group discount is also available !

Just try to text me at (0919-3901671) leave name and contact
information!

^^ This is Rence from SSC (I believe). :)

Wonderboy

August 1st, 2007, 03:18 PM

Another building along Rizal Avenue is scheduled for demolition. A demolition permit was given on June 19 for the Galaxy Theater, an Internation-Style building designed by National Artist for Architecture, Pablo Antonio. If nothing is done to prevent this, in the long run, Philippine National Artists for Architecture would not be represented by any major works.

I was able to confirm from a reliable source that Galaxy Theater on Avenida Rizal will not be demolished. Tatayuan pa rin ng condominium pero the owners/ developers agreed that they will retain the interiors/ facade even the signage "Galaxy." At gagawin pang reception area ang dating theater lobby. Think of Orchid Garden Suites on Vito Cruz Street (now Pablo Ocampo Street - What the heck! Pinalitan na naman ang street name!):

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/8365/facadetz9.jpg

* From http://orchidgardenhotel.com/

But it is also important that people should still be vigilant on this so-called "development." Hindi porke hindi na sisirain, minsan hindi sumusunod sa usapan ang mga contractors. Sana tulungan lahat at hindi lang aasa sa mga heritage conservation groups/ advocates na hindi naman parating present at may sapat na oras para bantayan ang mga "endangered" heritage buildings. Sana kung may mapadaan na isang concerned citizen sa area, ano ba naman ang tignan at i-check yung Galaxy at magbigay ng feedback? Palagay ko hindi naman mahirap yun kasya naman puro na lang comment na "Ay, sayang naman."

Lili

August 1st, 2007, 07:29 PM

I was able to confirm from a reliable source that Galaxy Theater on Avenida Rizal will not be demolished. Tatayuan pa rin ng condominium pero the owners/ developers agreed that they will retain the interiors/ facade even the signage "Galaxy." At gagawin pang reception area ang dating theater lobby. Think of Orchid Garden Suites on Vito Cruz Street (now Pablo Ocampo Street - What the heck! Pinalitan na naman ang street name!):

That is good news. Very interesting re-use of a heritage structure. Galaxy is actually good name to keep and retaining the facade and lobby interiors is a good idea.

Yeah, why did they have to change the street name of Vito Cruz? Nakakalito na naman. They should stop this street name changes. Kasi, kahit palitan nila, jeepneys and buses will retain those names in their route labels. This is one thing, too, why I am not really for total abolition of jeepneys because they somehow are visual testaments to old street names and locales. One will notice that they do keep the old names of streets like Trabajo, Leveriza, Azcaragga (Recto), Libertad, Vito Cruz, Tayuman, Lealtad, etc.

Animo

August 3rd, 2007, 05:34 AM

Manila Bulletin, Thursday, 2 August 2007

Landscape
Gemma Cruz Araneta

As usual, the State of the Nation (SONA) address of President Gloria M. Arroyo was one of the best applauded speeches of the year. She stopped more than a hundred times to relish the incessant clapping of hands and standing ovation. Her plan to focus on spectacular infrastructure projects is impressive enough and I can only hope she finds the time, money
and political will to deliver the goods. But, while listening attentively to the SONA, I felt there was something missing. The President has no historical
sense; she did not connect her plans to what we Filipinos, as a nation, have already accomplished.

For example, when the Chief Executive was describing, (with impressive visuals), all the airports that are being rehabilitated and modernized and those in the pipeline, she could have said something like, “ As you know, dear compatriots, building airports is nothing new to Filipinos. We can proudly say that the Philippines had one of the first international air terminals in this part of the world and if you go to Makati city, you will see the first ever air control tower, the Nielsen Tower, which has been converted into a library and bookstore. Take note, dear compatriots, Makati and Ayala Avenues and Paseo de Roxas, used to be runways of the first Manila International Air Terminal. We Filipinos were pioneers in air travel. By constructing more airports and terminals, we are showing the world that far from resting on our laurels, we have not ceased to expand and improve on our national track record, so by 2020, this republic will be a First World country.”

The Chief Executive also reported on the President’s Bridges Program , (a staple of every administration). While expounding on that, she could have said something to the effect, “ We all know that the natives of these islands have been building bridges since the dawn of time. They used whatever materials were available like bamboo and even rope made of local
fibers. Their designs were ingenious which only shows that our ancestors were natural engineers. During the Spanish colonial times, hundreds of bridges were built all over the country and although they were designed
by Spaniards, who do you think built them? Our ancestors, the natives of these islands. Many of these bridges are still being used today although a great number have been neglected and abandoned. One of the most impressive I have seen is the Malagonlong Bridge in Lucena city; Governor, why don’t you invite our compatriots to visit the Malogonlong Bridge during a
long-weekend of holiday economics? It will remind all of us of what we Filipinos are cable of doing. However, due to the exigencies of our burgeoning
economy and modern day traffic, we have to build many more bridges of different types. But, we should not demolish the eloquent reminders of our past achievements. That is why I am instructing Secretaries Ebdane and Durano ,of the Departments of Public Works and Highways and Tourism, to
appropriate funds to restore those Spanish colonial bridges to their former glory; recycle them, give them adaptive re-use as parks and promenades, convert them into destinations of our cultural tourism
program…”

As you may have noticed, none of our presidents have made deliberate efforts to put their five or twenty-five year development plans into the proper historical context. Could it be because “sense ofhistory” implies continuity? And that is a nasty word among political leaders, at the national and local levels. It seems that they want to make it appear that Philippine history begins only with them. Instead of emphasizing “process” and “continuity”, everything is pushed aside indiscriminately. Every four years, we are herded back to square one which makes us feel we are always at the starting line but never moving forward.

(gemma601@yahoo.com)

overtureph

August 3rd, 2007, 05:55 AM

Scientists discover new species in Palawan

By Redempto Anda
Inquirer
Last updated 05:41am (Mla time) 08/03/2007

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan -- Scientists on Thursday announced the discovery of a mountain shrew unknown to science and at least three new species of plants, which they found in the upper ranges of Mt. Mantalingahan in southern Palawan province.

Filipino mammal specialist Danny Balete said the mountain shrew had a soft and downy fur with long and almost sharp snout and small eyes.

Balete said the shrew was the second species of its kind found only in Palawan.

Leonard Co, one of the country’s top botanists who led a five-week scientific expedition to Mt. Mantalingahan in June, described one of the plants as an orchid “having a beautiful set of white flowers with golden lip petals.”

“The orchid belongs to the genus Coelogyne and was found in the stunted summit ridge vegetation at around 1,700 masl (meters above sea level) elevation. It is also in the heath-like summit vegetation where an undescribed terrestrial species of Medinilla was discovered,” Co said.

He added botanists were confirming a possible new species of Medinilla from among the specimens collected during the expedition.

“The showy flowers of the Medinilla have always attracted the attention of botanical collectors, resulting in the relative rareness of new species being added to the genus in recent times. There are at least 80 species of Medinillas known to occur in the Philippines, of which 76 are endemic to the country,” Co said.

Another record in Palawan is the discovery of a ground orchid belonging to the genus Acanthephippium.

This ground orchid was recorded at 800 meters above sea level and may represent the fourth species of the genus in the Philippines.

The scientists also found the rare soft-furred mountain rat -- the Palawanomys furvus which is known to exist only on Mt. Mantalingahan.

Dr. Lawrence Heaney, a biologist from the Chicago Field Museum and a longtime scientific researcher in the Philippines, said the animal “has not been seen since it was first discovered in 1962.”

Heaney also noted the discovery of a tiny bird that was previously known to exist only in Borneo.

The bird Erythrura prasina is a very colorful pin-tail parrot finch that lives in the bamboo-dominated regions of Borneo and mainland Southeast Asia.

“Its presence on Palawan also coincided with the distribution of bamboos -- a dominant feature of the Mantalingahan vegetation at around 700 masl and higher,” Heaney said.

The pouch bat caught at the same site was another poorly known species and one previously unrecorded in the Palawan group of islands.

“The pouch bat, Saccolaimus saccolaimus, is widespread in Asia, but I have seen them only once in the 26 years I have worked in the Philippines,” Heaney added.

“Prior to this survey our knowledge of the Palawan terrestrial biodiversity was limited mainly to information about species in the lowlands. Little is known of what the mountains on this island hold beyond 1,300-meter elevation,” Balete said.

Romeo Trono, country director of Conservation International Philippines which organized the expedition, said the findings confirmed the biological importance of Mt. Mantalingahan Range.

Conservation International is working with local government units and communities to have the area declared as a protected landscape.

“These noteworthy discoveries and rediscoveries on Mt. Mantalingahan will further strengthen the justification for our recommendation to have this important center of endemism in Palawan declared as protected area,” Trono said.

The expedition was joined by representatives from the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff, South Palawan Planning Council, Western Philippines University, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Katala Foundation, Municipality of Rizal, Barangay Ransang and indigenous peoples’ groups.

Copyright 2007 Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=80317

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/orchid.jpg

THIS RARE orchid species is quite common at the top of Mt. Mantalingahan in Palawan province. It was discovered during a scientific expedition organized by Conservation International Philippines. L.C.CO/CONTRIBUTOR

overtureph

August 3rd, 2007, 05:56 AM

Happy Birthday Wonderboy!

Wonderboy

August 3rd, 2007, 02:26 PM

^^ Hehe. Medyo malayo pa pero maraming salamat, Bogs.

The Art of Popularization and the Arts and Audiences

An Obra Maestra Mamera Lecture Series

The Art of Popularization and the Arts and Audiences: the Changing
Relationship between Museums and the Public

Date: August 4, 2007 (Saturday)
Time: 2 to 4 P.M.
Venue: Lopez Memorial Museum
Fee: PhP 120.00

The Lopez Memorial Museum together with the University of the
Philippines' College of Mass Communications (UP CMC) will tackle
critical issues concerning the reproducibility, development and flow of
the arts across demographics through a series of lectured dubbed Obra
Maestra Mamera.

The first in the Obra Maestra Mamera series features UP CMC's Dr.
Fernando Paragas and Prof. Almond Aguila on August 4, 2007 (Saturday)
from 2-4 P.M. Lecture fee is P120.

Dr. Paragas' talk is on "The Art of Popularization" where he will
discuss the accumulation, display and access of cultural, historical and
scientific artifacts in museums to show the relationship with the public
is consonant with the socio-political- economic dynamics between the
elite and the masses. Prof Aguila's talk "Arts and Audiences: The
Changing Relationship between Museums and the Public" presents the
dichotomy between low and high art, and mass production and
commercialization.

Dr. Paragas is UP CMC Chair of the Communication Research Department.
His interest and expertise in communication media and migration, message
design, mobile communications have resulted in numerous articles in
publications here and abroad. Prof Aguila is an Assistant Professor and
contributes articles to the Philippine Star. Her expertise is on media
and gender, public relations and communication planning.

This lecture series complements the exhibition Dime A Dozen which is
ongoing until September 22 at the Lopez Memorial Museum. The museum is
at the ground floor, Benpres Building, Exchange Road, Ortigas Center,
Pasig City. For more info, call 631-2417 or visit www.lopezmuseum.org.ph.

For more Museum Foundation events and activities please visit our
website at http://museumfoundationph.org/news.

Museum Foundation of the Philippines, Inc.
G/F National Museum of the Filipino People
Valencia Circle, Rizal Park, Manila 1004 Philippines
Telefax: (63-2) 404-2685
www.museumfoundationph.org

mygz14

August 6th, 2007, 03:21 PM

I don't know if this is significant, but surely, this is one heritage our country should be proud of :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MrbM17ns3U

TheAvenger

August 6th, 2007, 06:08 PM

Happy Birthday Wonderboy. I better greet you now... baka makalimutan ko pa.

Wonderboy

August 6th, 2007, 10:03 PM

^^ Salamat, sir.

DLSU-Dasmarinas Cavite Studies Center's 9th Annual Seminar on Cavite History and Culture

Venue: Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine, Kawit, Cavite
Date: September 21, 2007 8-5 P.M.
Theme: Mga Kabitenyo sa Sining
Speakers: Tentative

Mr. Eros Atalia (Literature)
Prof. Rodel Colmenar (Music)
Mr. Lito Mondejar (Sculpture)
Mr. Lirio Salvador (Sound Art)
Mr. Dennis Marasigan (Short Film)
Ms. Irma Lacorte (Lesbian/Conceptual Art)
Mrs. Chit Sambile (Caviteno's in Philippine Cinema)

Absolutely No Registration Fee! First Come, First Serve! (venue: capacity 120 pax)
Free Lunch and am/pm snacks plus book raffle and certificates.

For confirmation/inquiries: (046) 416-4554-56 local 3141/ 0927-9293492 look for Mylene/ Nerissa/ Jeffrey

overtureph

August 11th, 2007, 04:10 AM

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit2063.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit1005.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit1014-1.jpg

The Metropolitan Theater currently being restored.

Photos by overtureph.

TheAvenger

August 12th, 2007, 07:10 PM

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb244/jibrael865/heritage.jpg

TheAvenger

August 13th, 2007, 01:16 AM

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb244/jibrael865/album_mestizos_de_manila.jpg

Costumes of Manilla, 1841 by Justiniano Asuncion

Found (I believe) in an English estate sale and now in the collection of the New York Public Library, this album of mid-19th century Philippine "tipos del país" was known only to few scholars and Filipiniana enthusiasts until it was briefly repatriated to the Philippines as part of the Multiple Originals, Original Multiples exhibit held at the Ayala Museum. Unsigned but stylistically similar to works by Justiniano Asuncion (see this post), the watercolors were once mistakenly attributed to Damian Domingo. Indeed 4 images in the album, described as the work of "an inferior artist", do bear a striking resemblance to Damian Domingo (atelier) watercolors in the possession of the Newberry Library, the Ayala Museum, and two private collectors in Manila (Paulino Que and Eleuterio Pascual). The Ayala Museum reproduced portions of the album in an expensive and hard-to-find exhibition catalog but the results were disappointing. Fortunately, the New York Public Library digitized the entire album along with three miscellaneous images, and most importantly, the descriptive notes, in the distinctive scrawl of the album's original owner, tucked between the album's pages. The high quality scans can be viewed online along with similar albums from Peru, Egypt, India, Afghanistan, Ethiopia and other parts of the world with picturesque populations. In order for researchers to locate it easily via any of the major online search engines, the album is reproduced below in its entirety along with a transcript of the original owner's handwritten notes. In producing the transcript, I decided to mark as "illegible" words I couldn't fully decipher. Readers with better eyesight or who have recently viewed the original album are encouraged to leave comments to help complete the transcript.

Costumes of Manilla

These figures were painted for the sake of the costumes by a native artist of Manilla for M. [illegible] Esq. of Bath in the year 1841 [illegible]. The other four by an inferior artist the former being ill.

M M S.

No I

An exact representation of a rich mestizo. The complexion is admirably painted and likewise the dress. He is a great dandy and fond of imitating the Europeans, as you may see from his hat and umbrella. Nothing can be better than this costume in a hot country for it's cooling. [illegible] things are reversed from what some are accustomed to: for instance; the shirt being worn outside the trousers. The shirt is made of a species of grass cloth, the front, collar, and cuffs are beautifully embroidered, which is very well shown in the painting; the cost depending entirely upon the quantity of work upon it. This man would not [illegible] of wearing a shirt of less value than from 10 to 12 dollars. The trousers are made of strong silk of their own manufacture; stockings they are never troubled with; the shoes are in imitation of ours, and made by the Chinese, of whom there are a great many in Manilla. The hat, umbrella and handkerchief are of European manufacture. The umbrella is to preserve his complexion from the sun: most people use them when walking in the heat of the day; to Europeans they are absolutely essential. This man leads a most idle dissipated life; he spends his day in gambling and cockfighting; his evenings in playing and singing to his guitar; the songs are limited to very few in number, and one very common one which is a great favorite, and which everyone sings, even all the boys in your own house, is: "Chuquitito muerte es muy dulce a probar." At the end of the gold chain around his neck is suspended a scapular: the Spaniards having made them all strict Catholics.

No II

Is a Mestiza, This gives a very good idea of the female costume. The blue stripe is a little jacket made of the same material as the man's shirt; it has not so much work upon it, the cuffs only being embroidered. It reaches to the waist and is made very loose: under it is tied a red and d yellow plaid petticoat; over which is the "cabaya"; a long piece made either of silk or cotton as the wearer can afford; which is wrapped tightly around the body and the end tucked in which is properly done never to come loose; this is so tight over the hips as to appear to impede the free motion of the limbs. These ladies never deform themselves by wearing "bustles"; nothing being more beautiful than their natural shape. Their slippers, which are very small, only just sufficient to cover the toes, are very prettily embroidered in gold generally done by themselves. They are so small that the little toe is always outside, which helps to keep them on. They are never worn out of doors in dirty weather, but are carried in the hand, and when the señorita arrives at her destination, she finds at the door a pan of water into which she immerses her feet before putting on the slippers. The handkerchiefs over her shoulders is made of Piña cloth, or cloth made of Pineapple fiber; this is peculiar to Manila; in no other part of the world has it ever been made. This is fine or finer than the finest cambric, and beautifully embroidered, all the señoritas excelling in that kind of work, and in doing which they spend a great portion of their time. The fairest, (you need not laugh, for some of the mestizas are as fair as if they had been bred and born in England,) pride themselves much in their hair, with which their [illegible] are most luxuriously covered; if they were seen in this country it would excite much envy, though it is not so fine as what European ladies can boast of; but in colour and length it excels them much. The colour is jet black and glossy, which must be attributed to the cocoanut oil of which they are not sparing and which accounts also for its great length; for it invariably extends to the knees and very frequently to the heels; as will be seen in another painting. This all combed to the back of the head where it is dressed; plaited or otherwise according to fancy: but it is always particularly neat.

http://pupuplatter.blogspot.com/

overtureph

August 14th, 2007, 05:02 AM

Tsk, tsk! Another one bites the dust. The former mayor must be in the same league as former Mayor Atienza. And of course, the government agency task to protect and conserve must be deaf, apathetic, taking it's sweet time or just plain impotent. It will be probably one of those too late the heroe when it acts.

Makes you wonder, why on earth we are such losers in our heritage and history. In effect, making us a loser of a nation.

Quarrying ruins archeological site

By Ma. Cecilia Rodriguez
Inquirer
Last updated 01:02am (Mla time) 08/11/2007

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—A hill here, where fossils and artifacts dating back to 377 AD had been found, was recently converted into a quarry site, angering anthropologists because it allegedly threatens to destroy what could be one of the most important archeological sites in the country.

Known among archeologists as the Huluga open site, the hill in Sitio Taguanao, Barangay Indahag here, is the subject of a major archeological study by a team, led by renowned anthropologist Dr. Erlinda Burton of Xavier University since the 1970s.

The team said a prehistoric village existed in the site as evidenced by stone tools and ornaments and a female skull dug from its surface.

Several pieces of obsidian glass and a whale harpoon tip found in the site also prompted Burton’s team to call for the site’s preservation, citing the need for a wider scientific study on the subject.

Heritage

In 1991, the National Museum declared the site as having cultural and archeological significance and even described the artifacts found there as “invaluable” parts of Philippine heritage.

The Huluga open site has also been cited in several archeological books and websites, including those by the United States Archeological Society and a German association of archeologists.

Former Mayor Vicente Emano, however, approved a government project in the area about two years ago.

Despite opposition, Emano did not buckle down and pushed through with the bridge project.

The destruction of the Huluga open site continues, according to anthropologists and groups backing its preservation.

They cited the activities of UKC Builders Inc., which started two weeks ago.

No ECC

The pro-Huluga preservation groups said UKC Builders does not have an environmental compliance certificate.

Helen Gales, owner of the other side of the hill, said her family has approved UKC’s proposal to begin quarrying.

“We decided to have our piece of the hill leveled so we can develop the land. [UKC] offered to do it for free,” she said.

During a visit to the hill this week, the Inquirer found the site already half-destroyed.

Louis Eustique, assistant curator of the Museo de Oro who accompanied the Inquirer to the site, picked up shards of pottery and old coins in the bulldozed area.

Concern

In a statement of concern, the Heritage Conservation Advocates chaired by Dr. Burton said the National Museum, which has the authority to stop the quarrying, has not replied to their requests for intervention yet.

“The HCA president sent an e-mail to National Museum Curator Cora Alvina requesting for support but Alvina has not replied,” the statement said.

Dr. Antonio Montalvan II, an anthropologist and historian, said their appeal to have the site preserved had fallen on deaf ears.

“We tried to reach out to the Dahino family, who owned part of the hill, but they did not honor their word to stop the quarrying,” Montalvan said.

Mayor Constantino Jaraula said he will order an immediate investigation of the matter.

“If the site is destroyed, this will be the end of prehistoric Cagayan. We will destroy an important historical site that could have helped us learn more of our history and identity not only as Cagayanons, but as Filipinos,” Montalvan said.

Copyright 2007 Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view_article.php?article_id=81836

overtureph

August 14th, 2007, 06:33 AM

The Philippines should be the poster boy in what not to do when in comes to conservation and preservation. Nations who have kept well and secured their heritage, culture and history and those nations that are truly making an effort in doing these, has a lot to learn from us Filipinos. This is in terms of what not to do or the wrong way of conserving or preserving one's heritage, culture and history. This is a case of heritage preservation gone wrong. Or better yet, anong heritage yan ba? Let's just progress and bulldoze the past.

INQUIRER MINDANAO
Cagayan de Oro’s lost treasure

By Ma. Cecilia Rodriguez
Inquirer
Last updated 05:20am (Mla time) 08/12/2007

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines—Folklore says it was the Spanish conquerors that appended the word “de Oro” to the old name Kagay-an in recognition of gold finds in the land by the conquistadores.

To this day, many old residents of the now highly urbanized city still believe that gold can be found in the recesses of earth along the hilly grounds surrounding Cagayan de Oro. One site is the promontory in Taguanao in Indahag village, 8 kilometers from the city center.

Indeed, stories of gold drove many to scrape the surface of Taguanao. Among the few who did find a treasure were archeologists and anthropologists who, after an extensive study of the site, declared it to be a significant archeological discovery.

There at the caves now known as Huluga were found artifacts and fossils dating back to 377 AD. These were soon brought to the National Museum and the Museo de Oro and recognized as historical treasures.

Huluga Caves

It was in 1975 when the National Museum sent experts to Cagayan de Oro to investigate reports that prehistoric fossils and artifacts had been found in a hill near Cagayan river. The team, led by anthropologist Erlinda Burton, member of the Historical Commission, found the report to be true and initiated a comprehensive archeological study of the site.

Among the significant finds was a female skull found inside the Huluga cave which dated back to prehistoric times. The cave used to be a burial site of prehistoric inhabitants that settled on the hill. Other finds such as boat-shaped coffins, broken pieces of earthenware, stone and metal tools, give evidence of cultural practices.

The Huluga caves and open site soon became famous among scientists and enthusiasts. What captured their interest were the shards of obsidian glass found on the surface of Huluga. Studies reveal that the obsidian glass is a material spewed by volcanoes 2,000 years ago which were harnessed by Stone Age people to be used as knives. The only known origin of this material was Japan.

A whale harpoon tip dug from Huluga open site also baffled archeologists, who hypothesized that the Irrawady dolphin may have inhabited the rivers of Cagayan a long time ago. Now near extinction, the Irrawady dolphins can still be found in some parts of Asia, most of them in Indonesia.

“This could be evidence that trading happened ages before Spain landed in the Philippines,” says Elson Elizaga, a member of the Heritage Conservation Advocates now fighting for the preservation of the site.

“The fossils and artifacts could tell us so much of our origins and how our ancestors lived. Many First World countries spend a great deal of effort and money to preserve such historical sites because they appreciate its significance,” adds Elizaga, lamenting that the country does not give enough importance to its ancient past.

The recognition of the National Museum of the site as ‘invaluable Philippine heritage’ was not enough to have the whole area preserved. It had to be the local government, in agreement with the landowners who have legitimate titles to the land that should declare the area a preserved historical site.

In 1999, a proposal to construct a road that will cut through the Huluga open site caused an uproar among historians and anthropologists. The P600-million project was a priority of then mayor Vicente Emano.

Concerned about the possible destruction of a major archeological site, anthropologist Dr. Antonio Montalvan, then a member of the city’s historical and cultural commission, alerted city councilors of the plan. A team composed of Burton, the city engineer, planning officer and tourism officer was immediately organized to survey Huluga.

The team recommended the diversion of the road-and-bridge project to protect Huluga. Emano assured them that ‘no historical or archeological site will be destroyed as we implement the infrastructure project.’

Burton, Montalvan and a team of experts identified the places in Taguanao that should be protected.

Two years later, the contractor, UKC Builders, began cutting right through the hill, demolishing the middle part of Huluga open site.

The Heritage Conservation Advocates founded by Burton, Montalvan and Elizaga, released a manifesto of protest and openly criticized Emano. They also filed a case with the local Environmental Management Board against Emano and the UKC Builders for failing to conduct an Environmental Impact Assessment and an Archeological Impact Assessment on the site. They won the case and the EMB slapped Emano with a P50,000 fine.

Still, construction of the road and bridge continued. It was inaugurated in September 2006.

There are claims that the same hunger for gold that gripped the Spanish conquerors in the olden times may have caught up with the present-day gold hunters in the area who have, in the process, destroyed one of the city’s treasures.

Mock report

A former National Museum staff and Emano’s appointee in the city tourism office named Wilson Cabaluna began excavating at the foot of the hill where Dr. Burton discovered a midden (an ancient garbage dump indicating human settlement, that usually contains animal bones, shells and kitchen refuse). The year was 2006, when the Pelaez bridge was nearly finished and Dr. Burton’s group was trying to preserve the remaining part of the Huluga open site. Cabaluna believed there was gold and precious pottery in the hill’s belly and began digging it without care of the fossils and artifacts that could be found in the midden. His family did not confirm what they found. Cabaluna has since transferred residence and could not be located.

The City Hall did make efforts to have the site investigated. In November 2004, three excavation sites were studied by a team from the University of the Philippines-Archeological Studies Program (ASP) under the city historical and cultural commission (HCA).

The HCA calls the ASP report a mock report. Elizaga says members of the ASP team should themselves be investigated for bungling an important scientific study.

End of Cagayan’s heritage

Last August 8, the Inquirer found the remaining Huluga promontory half-bulldozed. The UKC Builders began quarry operations two weeks ago in the hill ten meters from the midden. The original caves are now part of Lawndale Spring Resort and the open site is replaced by a concrete road.

Cagayan de Oro Mayor Constantino Jaraula has promised to investigate the matter.

Former mayor and now vice mayor Emano was repeatedly asked to comment but remained unavailable as of this writing.

After years of fighting for Huluga, Montalvan’s anger is now replaced by sorrow. “That’s the end of pre-historic Cagayan. It’s a pity. We have destroyed an important heritage site,” he said.

Copyright 2007 Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquire...ticle_id=82011

overtureph

August 14th, 2007, 06:41 AM

As the Rivermaya song goes (which I re-phrased) - ba-bye na gigibain ka na......wala ka daw kwenta......kaya ba-bye na.

INQUIRER NORTHERN LUZON
Requiem for the grand Damortis station

By Yolanda Sotelo-Fuertes
Inquirer
Last updated 11:16pm (Mla time) 08/07/2007

ROSARIO, La Union – This used to be full of people, 24 hours a day,” Baltazar Valdez, 72, recalls as he looks around the ruins of the Philippine National Railways station in Barangay Damortis in Rosario, La Union.

In his mind, Valdez tries to reconstruct the “grand station” of his childhood.

“This used to be the freight room, next was the office and [there] was the waiting room for first class passengers. That area was for other passengers while this area was for buses and car service,” he says.

“There used to be four railroad tracks. Trains came and went, and there was not a single hour that the station was empty of people arriving or leaving.”

As one walks around the ruins that offer a view of the Lingayen Gulf, with Valdez describing the old railway station in all its grandeur, the grand Damortis station of old returns to life.

The building stands proud with its tall roof and glass windows fortressed by thick steel bars. Trains chug along the tracks and the familiar whistle pierces the air as coaches arrive or depart. Passengers lug their suitcases or bayong (native bags) while vendors offer water, boiled bananas, corn and rice cakes to weary travelers.

“It was a playground for me,” Valdez says. “But it was also a place of work for me and plenty of residents.”

The Damortis railroad station, established in 1935, could be wider than the PNR’s Tutuban station, Valdez says.

His parents told him that in 1940, when he was 5 years old, the Manila Railways Co. (MRC) bought about 10 hectares of land around the station, “including my parents’ land.”

Additional land was needed as the Manila-Dagupan Railway, which started servicing passengers in 1892, was extended to cover San Fernando.

When the station expanded, the Valdez family moved to another property in the village, but returned in 1966 as they reclaimed ownership of the land through a court ruling.

It turned out that the PNR (the MRC was renamed PNR in 1964) merely paid his father the expenses to transfer the house to another property, but not the cost of the 3,000-square meter lot itself, Valdez says.

War memories

World War II evokes more memories for Valdez about the station.

The Japanese Imperial Army turned the station into its headquarters and used the trains to transport its war materiel, belongings and food.

“We would sneak inside the station, snatching some rice and other food stuff. did not hurt us,” Valdez says.

In August 1945, Gen. Douglas MacArthur landed at the Lingayen Gulf with his warships to liberate Northern Luzon from the Japanese.

“From the towering trees in the station, we watched the massive dog fight between war planes of the Americans and the Japanese … the Japanese planes fell one [after the other] into the gulf,” Valdez says.

“The Damortis station was a casualty of war. The tracks and the structures were damaged when the Americans bombed the area, but it was still usable,” Valdez says.

After the Japanese left for the mountains of Benguet, it was the Americans’ turn to take control of the station, using the building as their headquarters and the fields near it as an airstrip.
[B]
Rebuilding PNR

When the war ended, the PNR rebuilt the tracks and the railroad system resumed business.

Valdez and his friends sold bocayo (coconut candy), balut (boiled duck eggs) and newspapers at the station.

“I was also a shoeshine boy, servicing passengers waiting for their train. We also worked as ‘baggage boys’ and carried bags for a fee … we earned much more than the minimum wage earners at that time,” he says.

As porters, the youngsters would board the trains to Dagupan City in Pangasinan or to San Fernando in La Union. They would usually service the “first class passengers” in the air-conditioned coaches.

American tourists would alight at Damortis and be ferried to Baguio City by chauffeur-driven cars waiting for them at the station.

“In those times, most highways were unpaved and dusty. The trains were the most convenient and fastest mode of transportation,” he says.

He says the Damortis station had the first air-conditioned waiting area, long before buildings were installed with such convenience.

Heyday

Valdez left his hometown in 1958 to work in Manila. He returned in 1963 when the railroad system was at its heyday but with buses slowly taking passengers away from the trains.

Valdez’s niece-in-law, Emilia, 53, arrived in this town in 1978 from Bicol. In the late 1980s, the railroad operations grounded to a halt, she says.

Then silence fell over the once busy station.

Settlers started arriving, filling up the empty areas around the station. Some of them got permission from PNR officials to stay there, says Valdez, a former village chief of Damortis.

But things fell apart in the early 2000 when the PNR decided to sell whatever can be removed from the station’s structures—roof, steel bars, wood.

Even the tracks and wooden sleepers (where tracks lay) were not spared.

“All for a measly P45,000,” Valdez says.

He offered P500,000 to the PNR but this was rejected. “Something was amiss,” he says.

Demolition

Rosario Mayor Bellarmin Flores led officials and residents in filing a petition in court to stop the sale and demolition of the structures.

“We considered it a historical landmark in the province. But we were told that it was not listed as such by the [country’s] historical commission,” Flores says.

Copyright 2007 Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=81204

habagatcentral1

August 14th, 2007, 07:00 AM

^^ Frustrating but it seems that our government and even ourselves lack heritage awareness here in Pinas. :ohno:

ivanhenares

August 14th, 2007, 01:29 PM

^^The answer there would have been for the local government to declare the site as a Municipal Historical Landmark through an ordinance. Local governments are empowered by the Local Government Code to declare sites on a local level which serves the same purpose.

habagatcentral1

August 14th, 2007, 03:18 PM

In other words, there is politics in heritage conservation efforts or needing political will in order for the conservation to be successful.

LordCarnal

August 15th, 2007, 01:44 PM

The newly renovated Mooon Cafe
- Mexican restaurant in Guadalupe, Cebu City

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/Beautiful_Houses/new_moon_cafe01.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b396/arnoldsa/CebuHeritageWalk/Beautiful_Houses/new_moon_cafe02.jpg

Rence

August 16th, 2007, 07:46 AM

61st Philippine Orchid Society Orchid and Garden Show in Quezon Cityhall Grounds (* August 30 to September 10, 2007)

Where : Quezon Cityhall Grounds- Orchidarium Park

When : August 30, 2007 4:30 pm Opening Ceremonies (special invitation , opening of landscaped exhibits site )

Entrace Fee: Php 30.00 general public , Php 20.00 for students, senior citiznes with valid ID's and special group discounts for 20 persons or more.

Theme :" Responsible Orchid Growing for the Protection and Conservation of Philippine Orchid Species” focuses on the viability of orchid cultivation as a decent livelihood alternative for the new Filipino entrepreneur.

Area : 2 hectares

Open : 8 am to 7 pm !

Schedule of Lectures: August 31 to September 10 ( 2 lectures are held during saturday )

Schedule of Lecture
August 31 to September 10, 2007

August
31(Friday) -3PM Orchid Propagation Techniques (from flask, compots, & seedlings)
Speaker: Mr. Norberto R. Bautista
September
01(Saturday) -10AM Landscaping with Orchids
Speaker: Mr. Fred B. Salud

- 3PM Basic Orchid Culture: Growing Philippine Orchid Species
Speaker: Mr. Kelvin Neil B. Manubay

02 (Sunday) -3PM Popular Ornamental Plants -- Ferns, Aroids and other Shade Loving Plants.
Speaker: Mr. Fernando Aurigue

03 (Monday) -3PM Basic Orchid Culture: Growing Vandaceous & Phalaenopsis Orchids
Speaker: Carlos Valeriano C. Lazaro

04 (Tuesday) -3PM Basic Orchid Culture: Growing Cattleyas & Dendrobiums
Speaker: Mr. Vicente M. Chin, Jr.

05 (Wednesday)-3PM Basic Orchid Culture: Potting Techniques
Speaker: Mr. Andres S. Golamco, Jr.

06 (Thursday) -3PM Basic Orchid Culture: Growing Spathoglottis & Epidendrums
Speaker: Ms. Rolita V. Spowart

07 (Friday) -3PM Pest & Diseases of Orchids
Speaker: Ms. Carnette Pulma

08 (Saturday) -10AM Ikebana & Freestyle Flower Arrangement
Speaker: Mr. Serapion Metilla

- 3PM Popular Ornamental Plants… Adeniums, Plumerias & Other Flowering Plants.
Speaker: Ms. Vangie Go

09 (Sunday) -3PM Basic Orchid Culture: Popular Orchids for Beginners
Speaker: Mr. Wilhelm G. Ortaliz

10 (Monday) -3PM Orchids & Ornamental Plant for Business
Speaker: Angeles B. Salabit

:banana: Note: There are still some more complimentary tickets left !

Please coordinate with me for more details : Lawrence Chan (POS Publicity and Promotion ) Just PM me for more informations

Cellphone number (0919-3901671)

Conservation International , Gawad Kalinga , Haribon Foundation , Philippine Orchid Society Conservation Group will also had exhibits in the area !

Animo

August 18th, 2007, 06:28 PM

By Jess Diaz
Philippine Star
Thursday, August 16, 2007

The naming of roads, school buildings and other projects, programs and
services after elective officials would soon be a thing of the past, if
five militant party-list representatives have their way.

House Bill 2026, which was filed yesterday by Reps. Satur Ocampo and
Teodoro Casiño of Bayan Muna, Liza Maza and Luzviminda Ilagan of
Gabriela, and Crispin Beltran of Anakpawis, seeks to have the practice
outlawed.

In their explanatory note, the five said though the Constitution seeks
a ban on political dynasties, “experience shows that such a bill is
virtually impossible to pass in a Congress dominated by political clans
and dynasties.”

“Thus, a compromise measure is being offered to simply ban the naming
of public properties, public services and government programs after
incumbent public officials and their relatives. This would, at least, put
a stop to one of the most despised practices of political
dynasties,” they said.

They said it is “immoral and unethical” for public officials to
claim credit for themselves or their relatives for projects, programs and
services funded by taxpayers’ money.

“Such an act indicates that the public official is soliciting fame
and glory in order to perpetuate oneself or one’s family in power at
the expense of government resources,” they added.

They pointed out that if Congress cannot carry out the constitutional
mandate against political dynasties, it should at least lessen the
ability of these families to entrench themselves in power.

Wonderboy

August 19th, 2007, 07:31 AM

^^ Sana hindi lang public officials. Pati sana mga prominent families as well as friends of those in power whom they owe so much that they have to name a street after them (i.e. Yuchengco Street, Sabino Padilla Street).

A success story will be the preservation of the name "Gilmore Street." There was an attempt to change it but the residents lobbied for it and the renaming did not push through.

Animo

August 20th, 2007, 09:01 PM

http://images.inquirer.net/media/showbizandstyle/lifestyle/lifestyle/images/pic-08200227330717.jpg

BOHOLANO home cooking is served under the painted dome of the Dauis convento.

By Augusto Villalon
Inquirer
Last updated 02:19am (Mla time) 08/20/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- Despite the growing campaign to save Philippine heritage, the honest truth is that a lot (or most) of the heritage structures we campaign to save are really white elephants.

What are we to do with those white elephants?

On the verge of becoming white elephants are our World Heritage-inscribed Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordillera.

A site of incontestable beauty, the rice terraces are one of the few places on our planet where natural and cultural heritage combine to produce a landscape of such impact. Seeing the struggle for the place to keep up with the 21st century leads to the question, Is heritage enough?

Heritage might be enough for inanimate objects, stuff for display like empty architectural monuments or valuable objects locked up under glass in museums that are lifeless markers of the past.

A place like the rice terraces, unquestionably a marker of Philippine heritage, is far from being an inert monument to the past, enshrined in museum-like stillness.

For centuries the terraces’ traditional practices—cultural, religious, environmental, agricultural, hydrological and artistic—revolved around the rice- growing cycle, supporting the life of their inhabitants. Massive migration out of the terraces is proof that the traditional lifestyle has become extremely difficult to maintain today, leading to an endless search for solutions that will update the tough Cordillera lifestyle while maintaining cultural roots.

Unlike similar rice-growing mountain terraces in China that have long been abandoned, the terraces of the Philippine Cordillera aren’t relics. The terraces, however, search for ways to maintain their connection to human life.

Relics of the past deserve to continue living. Once it was thought that the best thing to do with an old Spanish colonial-era house was to turn it into a museum, so many houses stopped being homes and turned into excellent museums, each displaying exquisite collections of furniture and furnishings.

The museums as total nostalgia re-live past eras through collections of objects from a bygone era that make no connection to daily life today.

Bed-and-breakfast

There are heritage homes that now have recently learned to make use of their past as a resource to connect to their present. Owners develop their heritage homes as a resource not only to generate additional income to improve their way of living but also to provide financial means to continue conserving their heritage properties.

Through the bed-and-breakfast program, heritage houses continue to be used and be useful rather than stagnate into lifeless museum displays or fall into disrepair and decay.

Owners of a group of heritage homes in the historic town of Baclayon in Bohol have formed a bed-and-breakfast association, initially offering a total of over 20 rooms in neighboring houses. Converting unused bedrooms as guest lodgings uses heritage positively as an income-generating resource, as a source of pride and local identity, and, most important, keeps the heritage alive and up-to-date.

And as a tourism experience, the hospitality offered by the homeowners participating in the Baclayon bed-and-breakfast program brings travelers into personal contact with the gentle Boholano culture.

Heritage houses glow differently when occupied. Their glow becomes warmer when they continue usefulness, as lodging houses, schools, offices, or for whatever purpose. They also glow better because they are earning their keep.

Definitely with a glow that warms the heart is the Dauis convento in Bohol where, under a magnificently painted wooden cupola in the convento, a dinner of down-home Boholano cuisine is served by local youth trained as cooks and waiters.
They serve the regional Bisayá food of my youth on impeccable china and linen in unsurpassable convento surroundings, a great experience that combines tangible heritage (the splendid architecture of the convento) and intangible heritage (regional food, performances of traditional music).

Intangibles

The intangibles give life to heritage, connects heritage to people. Instead of the sites being lifeless and empty, think of the texture daily life adds to the rice terraces, the heritage houses of Baclayon, and the white elephant that would have been the Dauis convento.

In the three sites, heritage generates income through tourism, one of the more obvious uses for heritage-based resources.

The intangible, or the software, makes the heritage memorable. It is the stuff that makes for great tourism experiences.

It is the intangible that radiates life to a place, connects tourists to locals and their traditions.

The intangible is the “spirit of place” that makes the visitor part of the local life, even if just for a few hours or days.

Think of the rice terraces without inhabitants, the houses in Baclayon empty, the convento in Dauis continuing to decay.

Then see the benefits from judicious use of their heritage as resources for income-generation.

Heritage really should not produce more white elephants than we can handle. It should benefit people.

Baclayon bed-and-breakfast will be ready to receive visitors in the near future. Bookings are required at Dauis convento, call 0921-6643277 or (038) 502-2008.

E-mail the author at pride.place@gmail.com
http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view_article.php?article_id=83548

Batang Lambak

August 21st, 2007, 03:25 AM

habagatcentral1

August 22nd, 2007, 12:22 PM

Can someone define these 3 schools of thought in heritage preservation:

1.) Venice charter
2.) (Australian place) charter
3.) Nara charter

Thanks! :)

ivanhenares

August 22nd, 2007, 03:18 PM

Can someone define these 3 schools of thought in heritage preservation:

1.) Venice charter
2.) (Australian place) charter
3.) Nara charter

Thanks! :)

Please check the ICOMOS website. The charters are all there.

See you Saturday! Tama ka, 5:15 pala alis ko. Hehe!

overtureph

August 23rd, 2007, 07:52 AM

Puerto Princesa City declares total ban on large-scale mining

Thursday, August 23, 2007

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY – Shocked by the overwhelming number of mining applications covering almost every square inch of this newly created highly urbanized city’s 254,000 hectares, Mayor Edward Hagedorn declared a total ban on large-scale mining yesterday.

“This mad rush to mine every square inch of the city is insane, ridiculous and totally reprehensible. Even the fabled St. Paul Subterranean Underground River, which is a declared World Heritage Site, has not been spared by predatory mining companies who filed applications for large-scale mining of black marble and other minerals in the area,” Hagedorn said in a statement.

Puerto Princesa City and the province of Palawan are rich in mineral resources. Since the passage of the new Mining Act, there has been a deluge of mining applications covering a range of rich mineral resources from gold, chromite, nickel, copper to marble and other precious metals, Hagedorn said.

In declaring a “total war” against large-scale commercial mining, Hagedorn said, “This so-called economic enterprise is offensive to and runs smack against the city’s long-term vision and strategy for sustainable economic and social development.”

“The only allowable small-scale mining enterprise we will allow are rock quarrying and sand and gravel businesses which are essential to infrastructure development and the construction industry and housing,” he said.

http://philstar.com/index.php?Nation&p=49&type=2&sec=28&aid=2007082281

jbkayaker12

August 23rd, 2007, 11:55 AM

Puerto Princesa City declares total ban on large-scale mining

“The only allowable small-scale mining enterprise we will allow are rock quarrying and sand and gravel businesses which are essential to infrastructure development and the construction industry and housing,” he said.

http://philstar.com/index.php?Nation&p=49&type=2&sec=28&aid=2007082281

Well, they are also blowing up terrain for these kind of activities so I wonder what section of Palawan do these small scale mining enterprise do their dirty job. I guess as long as they stay away from the numerous limestone cliffs that dot this province, the Mayor should be able to sleep well at night. :)

TheAvenger

August 23rd, 2007, 04:41 PM

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08/23/2007 | 03:40 PM

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) on Thursday said the scenic Ifugao Rice Terraces in the Cordilleras was at risk of being stricken off the World's Heritage List should the Philippines fail to restore it in two years.

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Carmen Padilla, commissioner of the Unesco National Commission of the Philippines (Unacom), advised the government to take immediate measures to preserve and prevent further deterioration of the terraces, now included in Unesco's "Danger List" of heritage sites.

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In a media forum at the La Dulce Fontanana in Greenhills in San Juan City, Padilla scored the construction of shanties and other structures on the centuries-old rice terraces in the upland Cordillera region.

Radio station dzBB quoted Padilla as saying that the structures may deface the site should an earthquake rock the region.

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Other factors cited by the committee as contributing to the site's deterioration are the rising unemployment rate among farmers in the area as well as the deforestation activities in the land.

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Architect Maria Jocelyn Mananghaya, Unacom consultant, pushed for the creation of a functioning management or a permanent secretariat that will enforce the necessary security and safety measures to safeguard the heritage site.

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Unacom also asked the government to intensify reforestation in the area as well as to tap community-based activities like zoning.

The World Heritage Committee in 2001 inscribed the Rice Terraces in the List of World Heritage Sites in Danger, joining 32 other endangered World Heritage Sites.

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"The Rice Terraces is a delicate, evolving cultural landscape. In the absence of a systematic monitoring program or a comprehensive management plan, it is impossible to guarantee [its] preservation and sustainable development," a statement from the Foreign Affairs department quoted the panel as saying last June.

The Ifugao Rice Terraces since then joined Ecuador's Galapagos Island and Israel's Old City of Jerusalem and its walls in the list of heritage sites which are in danger.

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Meanwhile, sites which had been removed from the list due to improvements in management and conservation include Timbuktu in Mali, Angkor in Cambodia, and more recently the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. - GMANews.TV

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/57359/Unesco-to-RP-Restore-Ifugao-terraces-or-its-off-heritage-list

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http://www.ifugao.gov.ph/history%20of%20terraces.htm

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http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb244/jibrael865/profile2.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/lppsec/pp/ifugao.htm

VIDEO LINK : just click it with your PC mouse.

http://www.gmanews.tv/video/10776/Mother-sister-visit-place-where-Julia-Campbell-was-slain

http://www.gmanews.tv/largevideo/related/10720/Mother-still-can't-forgive-Julia-Campbell-killer

http://www.gmanews.tv/largevideo/related/10688/Saksi-Mother-testifies-at-Julia-Campbell-murder-trial

http://www.gmanews.tv/largevideo/related/8132/Juan-Duntugan-pleads-not-guilty-in-Julia-Campbell-slay

http://www.gmanews.tv/largevideo/related/7534/Julia-Campbell-Memorial-Park-opened-in-Ifugao

http://www.gmanews.tv/largevideo/related/6180/Wife-mom-accompany-Duntugan-in-jail

http://www.gmanews.tv/largevideo/related/6152/Juan-Duntugan-relates-his-encounter-with-Julia-Campbell

http://www.gmanews.tv/largevideo/related/6135/Suspect-in-Campbell-killing-presented-to-media

http://www.gmanews.tv/largevideo/related/6113/Juan-Duntugan-leads-cops-to-crime-site

Note :

Though the Julia Campbell killing in Ifugao is unrelated topic with regards to Heritage Preservation, I just post the Video Links since that is the latest video view of Ifugao.

.

overtureph

August 24th, 2007, 03:47 AM

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This picture was taken from the online edition of the PDI (Inquirer). It shows what seems to be an old house in Malabon.

overtureph

August 24th, 2007, 04:43 AM

Lim promises 50-year lease to Museo Pambata

By Allison Lopez
Inquirer
Last updated 00:37am (Mla time) 08/24/2007

MANILA, Philippines – Manilans of all ages were assured of a more “wholesome” form of entertainment on Roxas Boulevard for at least 50 years more after Mayor Alfredo Lim promised yesterday a new five-decade lease for the Museo Pambata, the country’s first interactive museum for children.

Lim, who recently dismantled Baywalk’s bars and restaurants, told a cheering audience, “How long do you want the Museo Pambata extended? I leave it up to you to decide how long you want to stay here … I’ll sign it with eyes closed.” But when Museo president Nina Lim-Yuson replied she wanted it “forever,” the mayor laughed and said since he could not put “forever” in the contract, he would write down 50 years instead.

“In essence that is perpetual already. I will not be here for 50 years more,” the 77-year-old mayor said with a big smile.

It was in 1993, during his previous term as mayor, that Lim allowed the historic Elks building to be converted into the pioneering children’s museum.

Now 13 years old, Museo Pambata has entertained almost three million visitors through its seven “hands-on” theme rooms, a departure from the usual “hands-off” policy of most museums.

At the blessing of the Museo’s new annex building yesterday, Yuson called Lim one of their heroes, thanking him for his continued support. The three-story structure would house the administrative offices and the children’s library and resource center.

It was built with the support of the City of Manila, the C Com Foundation in Singapore, and the Leandro V. Locsin Partners.

Copyright 2007 Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/metro/view_article.php?article_id=84391

overtureph

August 24th, 2007, 08:17 AM

FEATURE
Faces of forgotten ancestors

By Eric S. Caruncho
Inquirer
Last updated 06:31am (Mla time) 08/19/2007

MANILA, Philippines – Tommy Hafalla’s first dream was of flight.

The Baguio-born and -bred photographer, who has since won acclaim for his painstaking photo-documentation of the rapidly-changing way of life of the Cordillera people, had originally wanted to become an aircraft engineer. In fact, he had already finished his Aviation Engineering course at FEATI and was on his first day of work at a charter air company when he was struck by a realization.

“I looked at my pasiking (Cordillera backpack) and thought, ‘what am I doing here?’” he recalls.

Hafalla lost no time, and took the next bus home to Baguio. Not long after, he joined a mountaineering expedition to Mt. Pulag, where he was awestruck by the beauty of the landscape.

“I realized I had been missing a lot all these years,” he says. “I wanted to capture the landscape of the area where I grew up, but since I didn’t know how to draw, or even write about what I saw, I decided to try photography.”

With a borrowed camera, Hafalla taught himself the basics, and was soon running with a clique of Baguio-based photographers that included Wig Tysmans and Boy Yñiguez.

“I started shooting landscape; but later I thought, ’why not the people?,’” he says. “Like the American Indians, the way of life of the indigenous people of the Cordillera is fast disappearing. So I began documenting the people and their life, as well as the landscape around them, until I got into living what they were doing. It became a personal mission.”

The sage says: when the student is ready, the master will appear. Indeed, in 1983, while working as a gaffer with a film crew documenting the hinterlands of Ifugao, Hafalla was asked to drop by Sagada in the Mountain Province to deliver a box of photo paper to a photographer living there.

The photographer turned out to be Eduardo Masferre. The son of a Spanish soldier and his Kankanaey wife, Masferre had been documenting the people of his native Cordillera since 1933, when he acquired his first Kodak Graphlex camera. Much of what we know visually about the Kalinga, the Ifugao, the Bontoc, the Kankanaey and the other tribes of the Northern Philippines we owe to Masferre. Now, of course, Masferre is recognized as the father of Philippine ethnographic documentary. In 1983, however, he was still living in semi-obscurity, printing photographs from his old negatives.

For Hafalla, it seemed he was meeting an ancestor. “When I saw his photographs, it was like, ’Whoa! Someone has gone before me.’ It encouraged me to continue to document the changes that have happened through the years.”

Hafalla met Masferre a second time in 1988, on a return trip from Kalinga. Masferre asked if the Kalinga still wore their traditional dress, and seemed pleased when Hafalla said they did.

“He seemed happy that someone was continuing to document the tribes,” Hafalla recalls. In a way, a torch must have been passed. Masferre died in 1995, but Hafalla continues to photograph the rapidly changing culture of the Cordilleras, himself becoming one of the bearers of that culture. There is a seat of honor for him in many a dap-ay (village council), and he has become an emissary of sorts between the tribes and the mainstream culture.

Today he works out of his studio in Sagada, voyaging deep into the hinterlands most of the year to take photographs, and during the off-season conducting photography workshops for the locals so they can do their own photo documentation. He is also working on what he hopes will be a “Living Museum” in Sagada—a task that has become all the more urgent now that Sagada is no longer the remote outpost it used to be in the ’70s, what with cable TV and Wi-Fi internet cafes threatening to swallow it in the global culture masher.

“There have been a lot of misrepresentations of Cordillera culture,” he says. “One of the most common is the bulol, which is always referred to as a ‘rice god’ or ‘guardian of the granary.’ But it is actually a ‘pain body,’ to which you transfer sickness through a ritual. So if you’re an Ifugao and you know that a bulol has been used, you won’t touch it for fear of catching whatever sickness has been transferred to it.”

The antique business would collapse, Hafalla suggests, if more people knew that the bulol was ritually “unclean.” Conversely, there is much that mainstream Filipino society can learn from the culture of the Cordilleras. “The simplicity of the way of life in the Cordilleras,” he suggests, offers one answer to the age-old question of Filipino identity.

Copyright 2007 Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/sim/sim/view_article.php?article_id=83433

overtureph

August 26th, 2007, 02:11 AM

One of a very few surviving old houses in downtown Zamboanga City.

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The street where the old house is located. As can be seen from the street photo there are still several large acacia trees and on the otherside of the street there are what I guess are royal palms.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/edit7481.jpg

This seems to be an old structure with modern windows and seems to be a part of a compund where the previous (1st one posted) house is located.

Photos by overtureph.

overtureph

August 27th, 2007, 06:03 AM

‘Yarns and half-truths’ about Huluga site

Inquirer
Last updated 02:00am (Mla time) 08/27/2007

MANILA, Philippines - We, the members of the Cagayan de Oro Historical and Cultural Commission, deplore the biased and questionable article, titled “Cagayan de Oro’s lost treasure,” written by a Ma. Cecilia L. Rodriguez. (Inquirer, 8/12/07)
We condemn the quarrying by the Dahino family in Huluga, sitio Taguanao, for we believe that the affected land is part of the cultural treasures of our city.

We condemn the Heritage Conservation Advocates (HCA) for their high-handed and bullying tactics in handling sensitive heritage issues. They only want to divide and confuse Kagay-anons instead of helping to promote our culture.

We condemn the seemingly endless and vicious “Emano-bashing” over the Huluga issue for its strong political undertones. In 2004, then Mayor Vicente Emano funded the archaeological exploration and excavation of the Huluga “open site” to find out once and for all if the place is indeed the site of the ancient settlement of the city, as claimed by Dr. Erlinda Burton and her HCA group. The archaeological findings showed that Huluga is a habitational place, not a settlement site of ancient Kagay-anons. But still, this place should be protected from quarrying and the like. What is HCA’s part in the protection of the area aside from maligning and bashing individuals and conjuring up tales to support their stand?

We condemn the malicious and libelous portrayal of Wilson Cabaluna as some kind of a treasure hunter who, after digging for gold and pottery in Huluga, left and could not be located. Cabaluna is with the city government, an employee of good standing since 1981, when Aquilino Pimentel Jr. was still the mayor. And he has been a resident of Taguanao since the 1950s.

We condemn the claim of Elson Elizaga of the HCA that the UP-Archaeological Studies Program (ASP) issued a “mock report” about Huluga and should be investigated for bungling its work. The archaeologists from ASP have been working closely with the National Museum throughout the country for years. They are highly respected among their peers worldwide and are known for their professionalism and academic integrity.

The article clearly shows that Rodriguez never bothered to research on the Huluga findings of the ASP archaeologists. Instead, she heavily relied on the highly improbable and fantastic theory about the obsidian source and the dolphin yarn of Elizaga. This is an example of irresponsible journalism at its “best.”

Like Antonio Montalvan of the HCA, we are not angry anymore but sorrowful over the fact that there are indeed individuals with high academic titles, consistently clinging to their yarns and half-truths just to support a claim that has been scientifically proven to be untrue.

—RAMON P. CHAVES, chair, SANDY R. BASS, THADDEUS A. BAUTISTA, PAULITA R. ROA, members, Cagayan de Oro Historical
and Cultural Commission

Copyright 2007 Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/letterstotheeditor/view_article.php?article_id=84852

overtureph

August 27th, 2007, 06:04 AM

ASP’s Huluga report available for public scrutiny

Inquirer
Last updated 02:00am (Mla time) 08/27/2007

MANILA, Philippines - This is a reaction to the article “Cagayan de Oro’s lost treasure.” (Inquirer, 8/12/07).

We cannot understand that an HCA member should disparage our report as a “mock report” and call for an investigation of our UP-ASP (Archaeological Studies Program) team “for bungling an important scientific study.” We wonder how the members of the HCA, especially Elson Elizaga, can tell a “mock” report from a real one, when they have not done analysis of archaeological raw data or written an archaeological report at all.

The ASP team was invited by the Cagayan de Oro Historical Commission to help improve our basic knowledge of the city’s early history. We reviewed the literature, followed protocol, secured the proper authorization from the National Museum of the Philippines and conducted our research work from October to November 2004. A reinvestigation—as well as new surveys—of the Huluga site was done.

All our findings are detailed in our site report and in a special edition of our peer-reviewed archaeological journal, Hukay (Volume 7, 2005). The site report contains the complete account of our methods, data, illustrations, interpretations, limitations and the future prospects for the study of Cagayan de Oro’s early history. Copies of the site report can be found at the University of the Philippines, the National Museum of the Philippines, the Historical Commission of Cagayan de Oro and Xavier University. They are available to the public for scrutiny.

The most that a member of the HCA has done was issue a very preliminary report on an excavation of the site way back in 1975. This, despite the fact that certain HCA members did some excavations as late as 2004, without securing authorization from the National Museum, and without a properly disseminated site report. We will be more than happy to read a report, of any sort, that gives us an idea of the archaeological context/merit of all the artifacts and investigation that they have done (and proudly placed on the Web) at the Huluga site all these years. In fact, ethics dictate that practitioners of archaeology should write and share reports, or they are no better than your average treasure hunter.

The way we see it, the only damage that our scientific report can do is to the spirit of the HCA members who are holding an uncritical belief in a self-proclaimed truth that the Huluga hillside is the location for the earliest settlement linked to the present Cagayan de Oro. We will not blindly accept a belief for settlement origins when the archaeological evidence does not support it.

—VICTOR PAZ, Ph.D., LEE ANTHONY NERI, MSC, JUN G. CAYRON, M.A., ANNA JANE CARLOS, MICHELLE EUSEBIO, VITO PAOLO HERNANDEZ, ANDREA MALAYA M. RAGRAGIO, , EMIL CHARLES ROBLES, graduate students, UP-Archaeological Studies Program,
Palma Hall Basement,
University of the Philippines, Diliman, QC

The story was prompted by the claims of HCA that the Huluga heritage site is being destroyed by quarrying. I personally went to the site and saw the ongoing quarrying and the deep excavation inside Cabaluna’s lot at the foot of the hill which the ASP report labeled as a treasure hunter’s pit. Getting HCA’s view on the ASP report was important because there had been allegations that the report was being used to justify proceeding with a road and bridge project despite protests from local archeologists. It is good that ASP also recognizes Huluga as an important heritage site and calls for its preservation. Whether it used to be a settlement or a habitation is another story altogether.
—MA. CECILIA RODRIGUEZ,
correspondent, Inquirer Mindanao

Copyright 2007 Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/letterstotheeditor/view_article.php?article_id=84851

overtureph

August 27th, 2007, 07:49 AM

Research to enhance potential of Banahaw for ecotourism
By Rudy A. Fernandez
Monday, August 27, 2007

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna – The ecotourism potential of Mt. Banahaw, the mystical mountain in Southern Tagalog, will be enhanced through research.

A project titled “A Comprehensive Diagnostic Assessment to Enhance Ecotourism in Barangays Kinabuhayan and Taytay in the Mt. Banahaw-San Cristobal Potential Landscape (MBSCPL)” is now being spearheaded by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (DENR-ERDB) and the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCARRD). Both agencies are based in Los Baños.

The venture was launched recently at the University of the Philippines Los Baños-College of Forestry and Natural Resources with the signing of a multi-stakeholders’ joint statement of support and commitment.

The stakeholders who are working with ERDB and PCARRD are the project’s Protected Area Management Board; the mayors of Dolores (Quezon) and Majayjay (Laguna); the barangay captains of Kinabuhayan (Dolores) and Taytay (Majayjay); the environment and natural resources officers of Quezon province, Dolores and San Pablo City; the president of the Southern Luzon State University; the general manager of the Laguna Lake Development Authority; the DENR-Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau and Region 4 office; and Department of Tourism-Region 4.

Dr. Lope Calanog of ERDB, the project leader, said his bureau, together with PCARRD, recognizes the importance of protecting the environment and conserving the rich natural resources of the Mt. Banahaw-San Cristobal area.

The area is the habitat of rare wildlife, among them the flame-breasted fruit dove such as punay, hornbill or kalaw, multi-colored flycatcher, deer, wild boar, owls such as the hawk owl and Luzon scoops owl, various species of the cloud rat, eels, and snakes.

It is also an important watershed that supplies water to more than a million people in Laguna and Quezon.

“It plays a vital role in the economy, culture, religious beliefs and health of the local people,” the ERDB said.

The ERDB and PCARRD expressed concern about the alarming deterioration of the area, saying the growing number of tourists and pilgrims has been exerting pressure on it.

They noted the tons of garbage dumped in the area, especially during the Lenten season, and the growing number of settlements that impact on the area’s dwindling resources.

As part of the project, vulnerability and land use assessment, especially the impact on soil erosion and water quality, will be conducted.

The area’s ecotourism-carrying capacity will also be assessed to determine the maximum number of visitors and occupants that can be allowed in the protected zone.

The socio-economic profile of local communities and their migration pattern will also be looked into.

Moreover, researchers will assess and identify the existing and potential ecotourism attractions in the area, review present policies and recommend whatever changes have to be made.

http://philstar.com/index.php?Nation&p=49&type=2&sec=28&aid=2007082670

overtureph

August 27th, 2007, 07:54 AM

Move to protect Ormoc’s Lake Danao on
By Roberto Dejon
Monday, August 27, 2007

ORMOC CITY – Let’s help protect Lake Danao.

Thus appealed Alfredo Pascual, regional director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), to members of the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) and the city tourism council and other stake*holders.

“Let us not allow the lake to deteriorate any further,” Pascual said during the second consultative meeting among the DENR, the city tourism council and other stake*holders at the Pongos Hotel here Friday.

“If we can still do it now, then let us strengthen our partnership and stay together because we (DENR) cannot do it alone,” he added.

In an interview, Pascual said he was saddened to learn that disease-causing E. coli bacteria, which come from human waste, contaminate the lake.

He said this problem should be resolved early because the lake supplies water to the Leyte Metropolitan Water District, which serves 180,000 consumers in Tacloban City and the towns of Palo, Tanauan, Tolosa, Dagami, Pastrana, Sta. Fe, and Tabontabon.

Pascual said he plans to mobilize the PAMB to manage and monitor all activities in the lake, a major tourist attraction in this city.

Pascual expressed disappointment while watching the slideshow of city tourism council member Edwin Codilla showing an area within the forest beside the lake that was denuded by kaingin or slash-and-burn farming.

Pascual said he would assign a permanent protected area superintendent who would act as the DENR’s chief operating officer at the site.

http://philstar.com/index.php?Nation&p=49&type=2&sec=28&aid=2007082673

overtureph

August 29th, 2007, 08:32 AM

THERE’S THE RUB
Museum

By Conrado de Quiros
Inquirer
Last updated 02:39am (Mla time) 08/29/2007

There’s a part in Gabriel García Márquez’s “One Hundred Years of Solitude” where the residents of the village of Macondo begin suffering from an affliction of forgetfulness. Not just amnesia or loss of memory but total blackout. They forget the use of household articles and even their names. To help them recall what they are and what they do, they attach labels to them. But soon they forget the meanings of the words themselves and the letters that form them.

I leave the reader to learn what happens afterward. But I remembered it after I read about the Bantayog ng mga Bayani now having a museum that houses memorabilia about martial law, including a reproduction of the cells that held the people who fought it. It’s not exactly Madame Tussaud’s House of Wax, there are only life-sized photographs of Ferdinand Marcos and Jose Diokno in lieu of lifelike wax figurines of Torquemada and Joan of Arc, but it does a creditable job of showing a horrific part of our history. Beats any tent of horror in a traveling "perya" [circus].

I remembered Márquez particularly in light of one thing. The point of the museum, as Carolina Malay points out, is to help our youth remember one of the darkest moments of our past and make sure it doesn’t happen again. “It’s not their fault that they don’t have memories of martial law. It’s up to us, their parents, to show them something about martial law and impart lessons to them.” That is admirable, except for one thing: Most of the youth, and adults, of this country don’t remember Bantayog ng mga Bayani [Monument of Heroes]. Hell, most of them don’t even know there’s one.

The word “museum” to refer to the place that houses the martial law memorabilia is not a little unkindly ironic. Museums, of course, are not the most popular places in other countries, luring only the occasional tourist or the class of a determined teacher -- hence “museum piece” to refer to forgotten, or ignored, relics -- but they are not also horrendously unpopular ones. To go by the fate of our National Museum itself, a near-magical place where our past unravels in tangible vitality before your eyes, but which drags in only the cat and bedraggled groups of people who look like they’d rather be elsewhere, museum for us doesn’t just rhyme with mausoleum, it might as well be synonymous to it.

It’s nice to have reminders, if you can remember what they mean -- or where they are.

FYI, Bantayog ng mga Bayani is in a perfectly accessible spot of this earth, which is the corner of Quezon Avenue and the Edsa highway, a stone’s throw (by a very feeble stone-thrower) from the Metro Rail Transit's Quezon Avenue station. You can do worse than spend a nice Sunday afternoon there, while the breezes blow and the sun shines, looking at the names carved on the Wall of Remembrance, which belong to those who did something heroic for us in more recent times, which claimed many of their lives, and which is why the breezes blow and the sun shines for us today. You can do even worse than going to the National Museum itself and bathing in the waters of the past, which flow copiously into the present.

In this light, I’d like to repeat the suggestion I made a couple of weeks ago on how to improve our education by leaps and bounds, which is to emphasize history. My other suggestion, of course, is to line up the crooks that steal education money at the Luneta and make them history. I do think that Bantayog ng mga Bayani, the National Museum and their kind are beacons in a windswept sea, but I don’t know why we should always flounder in the storm when we can sail in balmy weather. This country’s inability to remember martial law is but a drop of water in the deep well that is this country’s inability to remember what went before. Jason Bourne at least was determined to recover his past, Juan de la Cruz isn’t. We’re a rudderless country drifting aimlessly in the present.

My suggestion comes from my own experience, which I’ve told readers countless times over the past 20 years. (Come to think of it, this column will be 20 years before the end of this year!) That is that when I began devouring books on Philippine history in my college years, flailed on by the activism of my time, I had the sensation of having my eyes opened after being blind all my life. I read “Noli” and “Fili” outside of class, not inside it, out of dogged curiosity and not out of abject assignment, and saw Rizal climb down from his monument in Luneta and join our “dg” (discussion group) as it was called at the time. It was the first time I felt a sense of home, it was the first time I got to know who I was (you’ll never know who you are until you know who you were). It was the first time I felt proud to be a Filipino.

We want to produce citizens with idealism and purpose, I don’t know anything more guaranteed to do it than to make the kids read history. By whatever means, the classroom being the least of them. I’ve always said that if I were to run for president of this country (I really should apply for it given that the position is vacant), I’ll have only three things on my agenda: food, history and education. The first should take care of the present, the second of the past, the third of the future. None of those elements is dispensable. We need all three to survive, we need all three to flourish.

Of the three, teaching history is what we most need to do because it is what we most lack. That (and, yes, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo) is what’s producing the mammoth ills we see today, not least history repeating itself. Not least the little shop of horrors in the Bantayog museum spilling over into our lives again today. The past is Ariadne’s thread leading out of the Minotaur’s cave. We don’t have a past, we won’t have a future.

We’ll just be, well, a museum or mausoleum, take your pick.

http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view_article.php?article_id=85263

overtureph

August 29th, 2007, 05:37 PM

US embassy funds restoration of ‘Botong’ paintings

By Allison Lopez
Inquirer
Last updated 08:03pm (Mla time) 08/29/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- Like the sick patients being wheeled into the country's first public hospital, the "blistered and crackled" paintings in the lobby of the Philippine General Hospital were in dire need of immediate attention.

But just when they were on the brink of "collapsing," the four murals created by National Artist Carlos "Botong" Francisco in 1953 were saved by the National Museum with valuable help from the US Embassy.

"They were very weak, very deteriorated. If nobody noticed it, they will collapse sooner or later," said Willie Estonato, a painting conservator from the National Museum.

The priceless oil paintings by Botong, a popular muralist from Angono, Rizal, depicted the different periods in the history of Philippine Medicine -- from the pre-colonial period, all throughout the Spanish and American invasions to the modern era.

They are currently undergoing their third restoration through a $38,631 (P1.73M) grant from US Ambassador Kristie Kenney’s fund for cultural preservation.

Kenney said the embassy chose to fund the project because the paintings represented a "great partnership" between the two countries.

"This one's particularly special -- a national artist, a historic building ... one that provides great service to the people," said Kenney.

One of the murals, referred to as "No. 3," features foreign doctors vaccinating ailing Filipinos to show how the measure saved lives during the American colonial period.

Around $300,000 has been spent by the US government in the Philippines for its cultural projects over the last five years, she said.

Kenney also said that the embassy would soon finance conservation efforts on the tourist-famous Banawe rice terraces. UNESCO has threatened to strike out the rice fields carved out of mountainsides from its list of the world’s wonders unless rehabilitation efforts are undertaken soon.

Estonato said the financial assistance for the restoration of the Botong murals was very helpful because all the materials and chemicals needed for the process were costly and imported.

"Restoration is a science, and now we can use more advanced technology in restoring the murals, but it is of course expensive," he said.

The team of six conservators and technicians began work on the grime-ridden murals in October 2006, but aside from their huge sizes (296.5 cm x 285 cm each), Estonato said cleaning was the "hardest part."

"We can't over-clean. The chemical cleaning is painstakingly thorough ... we even have to test the chemicals we use," he said.

An assessment report on the paintings found that dirt and other residues permeated the paint layers, and that there were extensive networks of "blisters, bulging and crackling," aside from "abrasions and cuts" ranging from minute to palm-sized.

The murals were restored twice before by Professor Tomas Bernardo -- first in 1974 and the second in 1991.

An inspection of the fabric lining used to cover the back of the paintings showed cracks and holes, or grave signs of "slackening."

Two of the murals that need major treatment will undergo a complicated series of steps, including solubility analysis, dismantling from stretchers, mechanical cleaning, relaxation and application of protective facing papers.

The two other murals which require less work will undergo physical cleaning, chemical cleaning and stabilization.

Aside from grime, Estonato blamed the "fluctuating temperature" for the rapid deterioration of the murals, which were simply displayed on the lobby walls without any form of protection.

"The right temperature is +/- 25 Celsius, while the humidity should be at +/- 60 C. If it's too hot, it will dry the canvas. The people who pass by the area increase the humidity, and the paintings will absorb this heat," he said.

As such, PGH spokesperson Michael Tee said conservation efforts will be undertaken after the restoration to prolong the lives of the precious murals, but they will not be taken out of the lobby so everyone who enters the hospital will still get a glimpse of the paintings.

Protective glass coverings and special lighting will soon be constructed to prevent the murals from any kind of physical contact after its reinstallation, so that in time, the Botong murals need not be taken out of their "stretchers" as often into the "emergency room."

Copyright 2007 Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view_article.php?article_id=85425

overtureph

August 30th, 2007, 04:27 AM

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/pic-08300433100605.jpg

PGH’S TREASURE: US Ambassador Kristie Kenney listens to conservator Willie Estonato explain how he restored -- with a lot of US help -- National Artist Carlos "Botong" Francisco’s mural, “History of Philippine Medicine,” at the Philippine General Hospital lobby. ERIK ARAZAS

overtureph

September 1st, 2007, 06:01 AM

PAST FORWARD
Treasures in old houses

By Joeber Bersales
Cebu Daily News
Last updated 12:33pm (Mla time) 08/30/2007

I was in Aloguinsan and Tuburan last week to help plan and establish town museums together with local government officers and members of the local tourism and heritage council. Like many in Cebu, both these towns have gradually moved their offices out of old municipal buildings and are looking forward to converting these into museums.

Quaint and sleepy Aloguinsan, a southwestern “off the beaten track” town due to the accident of geography, would make an ideal place for retirement and getaway from the madness of Metro Cebu. It is run by a vibrant and pretty mayor Cynthia Moreno, now on her third term, who has transformed the sloping park just above the new municipal building. Harvard-trained landscape architect Socorro “Bajing” Atega has conceptualized a small but world-class park, with renowned landscaper Jaime Chua implementing her plans.

(I still have to learn about the history of Alguinsan, though, as the visit there was brief but I managed to climb a bluff with conservation architect Melva Rodriguez-Java, and talk to locals about a possible archaeological site partially looted in the 1970s. Aloguinsan, if I am not mistaken, was once a locale of the Pulahanes, the much misunderstood millenarian sect that wreaked havoc in these parts, including Pinamungahan, during the pre-war years.)

The town of Tuburan, located on the northwestern corridor of Cebu, used to be run by another lady mayor, Rose Marie Suezo, who has since become vice mayor with her husband, Cresencio, now at the helm. She invited me to stay last week at her resort which was strewn with evidences of a possible pre-Hispanic habitation site, exposed due to an excavation for a swimming pool. Marie Tabo-tabo, a first-term councilor, had asked me to help build the museum collection and recover what we could from the rich history of this town, home of the last Katipunero to surrender to the authorities in Cebu, Gen. Arcadio Maxilom.

Because I had only a few hours in Aloguinsan but three days in Tuburan, I shall dwell on the experience I had in the latter while helping locals set up their museum collection. In Tuburan, I was shown some thirty pieces of items loaned from various sources in the town, to be displayed temporarily in the museum. These comprised mostly of household items like pre-war kitchenware, art deco furniture, and a few agricultural implements (stone corn grinders, a wooden plow, etc.). For a permanent museum collection, these would not do, as these were too generic---things that I am sure every town museum would be proud to display. We needed some things that were unique to Tuburan, things that would tell part of their past.

And so I went with Necel Comilang-Yamson and Ariel Sabio, both Tuburanons trained in the basics of heritage conservation, to look for old houses and see what they contained. We were not disappointed with what we found. In one house, 90-year old retired teacher Beatriz Allego showed us her mementoes that included pre-war photo albums of schools and other sites in Tuburan, Sagay (in Negros Occidental where she taught for over 30 years) as well as her alma mater, U.P Cebu. Ms. Josefina Gerasta, an 84-year old teacher, allowed us inside her pre-war home where huge 1920s colorized photo-folios of her parents hung on walls, aside from more colonial period photos and a gramophone that still worked. Eva and Shielda Montecillo-Rodriguez, granddaughters of Mayor Panfilo Montecillo, also rummaged through a plastic bag full of old photos that would help chronicle the life of Tuburan in the early 1920s. We were also told that many more things of the late mayor lay hidden in the ceiling of their ancestral house, including books.

The photographs we have gathered will form part of the museum collection, even as I await news on the search for the long-lost saber and other personal effects of Gen. Maxilom. It is indeed amazing how much lies hidden in old houses and I challenge local governments to take a hard and closer look at old houses in their midst before development and time erase what memories lie inside waiting to be found. Who knows what treasures they hold, which will surely boost the chances of having a museum that really represents the town’s past.

To subscribe to the Cebu Daily News newspaper, call +63 2 (032) 233-6046 for Metro Manila and Metro Cebu or email your subscription request here.

Copyright 2007 Cebu Daily News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/opinion/view_article.php?article_id=85580

alcogoodwin

September 3rd, 2007, 04:39 AM

Howdee,
I am hoping someone here involved in the heritage movement around the Philippines may be able to help me.
We are wanting to start a non-profit museum type society in Manila and have recently heard that for a foreigner to sit on the board of even a heritage society means he has to have a residents number.
I could understand someone sitting on the board of a big business who would be sending money back to their own country, however the plan is to raise money to 100% put into the historical society for the benefit of the Philippine people. Other than my interest in the Philippines, I have no self benefitting motive to do this.
Can anyone help me with details of a residential number? Do you need to be a citizen to legally obtain one of these things?
If this really is needed, is there a way legally to get by this, or does one just give up the idea of doing something for my second country?

Any help anyone can give would be appreciated.

Brad

overtureph

September 3rd, 2007, 06:12 AM

Tayabas Bay fishers salvage century-old logs, artifacts

Inquirer
Last updated 04:59am (Mla time) 09/03/2007

LUCENA CITY -- Tayabas Bay fishermen in the Bondoc Peninsula area are busy not with harvesting marine wealth but with the retrieval of artifacts, which include different sizes of logs believed to be more than 100 years old, from an ancient shipwreck.

Zenaida Bernal, marine program officer of Tanggol Kalikasan-Southern Tagalog, said the pieces of century-old log of still undetermined species and with different sizes were being sold to buyers for P20 to P40 per board foot.

“We were told that some of the old but still usable logs are 26 meters long,” Bernal said.

Citing police reports, she said the authorities had already intercepted two jeeploads of century-old logs that were about to be smuggled out of the province to be sold in antique shops in Manila.

Pieces of antique logs command a premium price from rich collectors.

The salvaging of old logs has been going in the parts of Tayabas Bay fronting the towns of Unisan, Padre Burgos, General Luna and Pitogo in Quezon Province, according to Bernal.

She said they were informed by Bantay Kalikasan volunteers in the area that the retrieval of ancient logs had been going on for the past four months.

“However, one of the fishermen volunteered the information that three years ago, his fishing net got stuck at the bottom of the seas. When he dived to retrieve it, he found out that the net was entangled in a big ship anchor lying below and tied into a big piece of wood,” Bernal said.

“The fisherman admitted to us that he sold the ancient anchor for an unspecified amount,” she said.

The recovery of ancient logs at the bottom of the sea was being manually done.

Armed with iron bars, the fishermen search for logs or whatever valuable items in the sea bed, especially during low tide by sticking the bar in the muddy floor.

Once they hit solid mass, digging comes next.

The diggers breathe through plastic pipes from an air compressor.

The fishermen use several steel drums, which they rent for P150-P200 a day, as floaters for the salvaging of the logs, said Bernal.

Some of the diggers, according to her, were fortunate to salvage ancient China wares and jars in the seas fronting Unisan town.

“The government should look into this ongoing salvaging of ancient relics. They must be preserved by competent people. The artifacts are part of the country’s rich culture,” she said.

In 2004, a sunken wreck believed to be from the 12th century was discovered 30 meters deep on a muddy bottom in the waters fronting Unisan.

The wreck reportedly yielded pieces of broken jars, plates, and other utensils.

The divers theorized that the vessel sank on its way back to China after trading with the people of Unisan, which used to be called Kalilayan.

Unisan local officials boasted that their town could be the oldest in the country.

They claimed that the town is now 486 years old, having been established in 1521, the same year that Ferdinand Magellan discovered the Philippines. Delfin T. Mallari Jr., Inquirer Southern Luzon

Copyright 2007 Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=86258

ivanhenares

September 3rd, 2007, 07:48 AM

alcogoodwin

September 3rd, 2007, 12:44 PM

^^ To save you the hassle of setting-up, why not look for a non-governmental organization which already does it or could do it for you? We have so many heritage societies in existence with the proper linkages, tax exemptions and all, that can maximize those donations.

The Heritage Conservation Society for example is collaborating with the City of Manila in restoring the Army and Navy Club (which Atienza made into a bodega) in order to reopen the Museo ng Maynila. It seems you are into railways. Are you planning to open a railway history museum in Manila?

You also have to understand the SEC. Many non-profit organizations are used for dirty purposes such as graft and corruption (politicians have dummy foundations in order to funnel in government funds), money-laundering and all which is why they are very careful.

Hi there,
Much thanks for the feedback.
We are indeed looking at the idea of a railway history museum, but more than just a static site. We actually wish to see examples of trains restored, preserved and ran.
This is a rather large sort of undertaking and most other conservation groups and historical associations don't wish to be to involved because it takes away from their more general efforts.
We are more or less basing ourselves on a similar model started in Indonesia. Sadly for us the Philippines never retained most of its earlier railway history, so we must make do with what there is.
I am more interested in the history since the 70s, but most of our members are steam train enthusiasts and our ultimate goal would be to restore one to operation.
I've since found out that I can sit on a board in the Philippines, I just can't go for chairperson. This is fine by me, I never had desires of such a position and think that should be given to a Filipino. The museum is afterall our way of giving something back to what is essentially, for most of us, our second home.

Thanks again
Brad

bustero

September 3rd, 2007, 12:59 PM

alcogoodwin

September 4th, 2007, 10:12 AM

^^Good luck Brad. If you need help just holler. This seems like a worthwhile project, similar to the Maritime Museum we are eyeing. I'd actually envision reviving a historic tram or rail route if possible (sounds tough but is a worthwhile goal). Not long but useful yet touristy, can easily get Durano on board for something like this.

Hi Bustero, your like me, visiting each forum :)

Actually thre are moves to obtain the working parts of a tram to restore the replica tram at Meralco's museum. Not sure how this is going.
We include the LRT/MRT/Tram systems in the historical society and would like to also do similar to what you propose.
Latest update on the society was in the Northrail-Southrail thread. We are currently working through the details of membership to the group, including a special deal for Philippine locals interested in helping.

Best wishes
Brad

ivanhenares

September 4th, 2007, 11:45 AM

You might want to coordinate with the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. The community is in the process of restoring its historic train station (other towns don't care about their old train stations and they'll soon be gone be gone when the North Rail project demolishes them in the name of progress).

The sugar steam engine of PASUDECO is now in the City of Marikina but we hope to see it back in Pampanga soil in the future. While veterans of the Death March have pledged to send over an original boxcar used to transport POWs from San Fernando to Capas as soon as the museum opens.

Why not sit down with the Manila Heritage and Historical Commission too? There's no harm in trying. And you even might get city government funds in the process.

Hi there,
Much thanks for the feedback.
We are indeed looking at the idea of a railway history museum, but more than just a static site. We actually wish to see examples of trains restored, preserved and ran.
This is a rather large sort of undertaking and most other conservation groups and historical associations don't wish to be to involved because it takes away from their more general efforts.
We are more or less basing ourselves on a similar model started in Indonesia. Sadly for us the Philippines never retained most of its earlier railway history, so we must make do with what there is.
I am more interested in the history since the 70s, but most of our members are steam train enthusiasts and our ultimate goal would be to restore one to operation.
I've since found out that I can sit on a board in the Philippines, I just can't go for chairperson. This is fine by me, I never had desires of such a position and think that should be given to a Filipino. The museum is afterall our way of giving something back to what is essentially, for most of us, our second home.

Thanks again
Brad

Batang_genio

September 4th, 2007, 02:55 PM

jbkayaker12

September 4th, 2007, 07:44 PM

^^^^It's about time, I watched a short segment on Urban Zone regarding that property not long ago.

Wonderboy

September 4th, 2007, 09:22 PM

Hawayano

September 5th, 2007, 09:07 AM

^^ Oh I don't feel good about this...for some reason or other. :ohno: How much would you bet that the facade and ornate details will go into oblivion as did the old Elizalde Insular Life Building on Plaza Moraga? I had been hoping that rehabilitation of the Luneta Hotel would've resulted in a classy condominium instead.

jbkayaker12

September 5th, 2007, 10:01 AM

They're turning Luneta Hotel into a Casino. I just hope that they do not alter anything even if they say that it is a restoration project.

And even if it's listed on NHI and they're just across the old hotel, we can't tell what's on the mind of the developer. I just hope the NHI will be much vigilant this time. I informed them regarding the plans already but as usual, there's no reaction from their end.

As long as they dont place any marquee on the facade of the structure it should be fine. Developer should keep the same layout on the lobby as to not destroy its original floor plan. As far as the rooms, just hope it all turns out well.

BoNduRanT

September 5th, 2007, 01:59 PM

Can someone please find out about the redevelopment of the Luneta Hotel as mentioned in this article?...Luneta Hotel (http://celdrantours.blogspot.com/2007/08/news-of-day.html#comments)

It appears that finally someone is doing something about this beautiful old building!!!!:banana:

Good news! :okay: I would prefer it to be turned into a hotel uli or a residential condo, pero heck, ok na rin ang casino. If they could have thought of that a few years earlier, eh di sana mas mainam na yung Jai Alai Building ang gagawing casino di ba.

alcogoodwin

September 5th, 2007, 10:49 PM

You might want to coordinate with the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. The community is in the process of restoring its historic train station (other towns don't care about their old train stations and they'll soon be gone be gone when the North Rail project demolishes them in the name of progress).

The sugar steam engine of PASUDECO is now in the City of Marikina but we hope to see it back in Pampanga soil in the future. While veterans of the Death March have pledged to send over an original boxcar used to transport POWs from San Fernando to Capas as soon as the museum opens.

Why not sit down with the Manila Heritage and Historical Commission too? There's no harm in trying. And you even might get city government funds in the process.

Good morning,
And a very early morning after the asawa woke me at 5am :)

You will be happy to know that I was recently made aware (Northrail-Southrail Thread III) that Northrail Corp actually has plans to restore some of the historic stations along their new line, starting with Malolos.
This has long been a concern of mine.
I have read a bit about this station restoration project. I am so glad that the community has taken to doing this and hope it goes very well for them.
I have never got to see the steam locomotive at Marikina, although there has been many reports about it on my forum. It would be so nice to see things like that restored to running operation one day, of course that isn't cheap :(
We do have some involvement with another historical society there in the Philippines, in fact one of our leading board members operates another one and has brought with him a wealth of experience.
There are plans to have contact with some of the main historical societies regarding what we are doing. Not sure where that will lead, perhaps we can swap ideas etc, of course we don't wish to bog ourselves down with to much non-rail preservation.

However museums like this San Fernando project are certainly the sort of historical project we would very much like to support and line ourselves up with.The PRHS would not only wish to concentrate on what the society has in Manila, but try to help with these sorts of efforts over the country.
Does anyone on the boards of the San Fernando restoration group have an email address so I can contact them?

Thanks again for your help

Brad

ivanhenares

September 7th, 2007, 04:56 AM

alcogoodwin

September 7th, 2007, 02:51 PM

You can try the following:

Dave Jimenez (President - San Fernando, Pampanga Heritage Foundation): davjim_ph@yahoo.com
Ching Pangilinan (City Tourism Officer): mlcjdp@yahoo.com

You can also ask about PASUDECO. We could revive the trains there too.

Ivan,
I believe you know my friend Jaime from the Pila Historical Society in Laguna, he said you guys have met in the past.
He is also involved in our project.

Brad

overtureph

September 8th, 2007, 05:09 AM

The museum besides the church of San Guillermo, Bacolor, Pampanga. Try visiting the place and see the multiple holes on the roof or is it the theme of the place or decor to have a dilapidated look.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/pampanga%20bacolor1/P7022243.jpg

Holes on the roof of the museum besides San Guillermo church, Bacolor.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/pampanga%20bacolor1/P7022226.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/pampanga%20bacolor1/P7022225.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/pampanga%20bacolor1/P7022224.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/pampanga%20bacolor1/P7022223.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/pampanga%20bacolor1/P7022213.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/pampanga%20bacolor1/P7022212.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/pampanga%20bacolor1/P7022214.jpg

Photos by overtureph/bogs.

bustero

September 8th, 2007, 05:43 AM

Actually I go through some of the sub forums my main interest here is of course in the projects going up, specially new ones and what infrastructure is going up. I like reading the north south rail thread but it moves too fast and the discussion is too unfocused on plain updates on what goes on with the current projects. I actually believe it can be divided up into several threads that would cover the various topics there. For example a specific railway heritage thread or proposed line thread. That being said it's actually good to see a once quiet thread so dynamic once more.

For your rail historical society or museum, you need to define the precise purpose, objectives and scope of the organization. It will make it easier to make some sort of plan, long and short. There are many interesting projects to do, some will be easy and some will be hard but worthwhile. A prioritization of these will be interesting. In general the more people and organizations on board who buy into the organizations vision makes it more effective. If it will polarize public opinion then one should immediately be aware of this.

Actually you should try meet up with Robles as he's pretty progressive. LRT actually has some sort of a learning center which they plan to convert to a museum in the long run I heard.It's at the Santolan Depo, the most advanced in the country. Working with them would be a quick and easy way to get some credible projects done and more importantly get potential members excited.

Beyond history and heritage I'd also try to involve current and future rail based aspects involved. In the long run funding is always an issue and it's easier to raise funds for projects from current suppliers of the system in kind then to get cash of them , a focus on that side of a museum would be to promote rails and rail technology which makes it easier to get the young kids who will be tomorrows rail enthusiasts. Anyway count me in to help, I'm all for this type of project.

overtureph

September 10th, 2007, 04:05 AM

Ifugao rice terraces may lose World Heritage status--report

Agence France-Presse
Last updated 07:34am (Mla time) 09/10/2007

The Manila Sunday Times newspaper said the governor of Ifugao province, Teodoro Baguilat, is to meet with representatives of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on the issue.

The paper did not give a date when they would discuss the possible delisting of the famous Ifugao rice terraces.

The move comes after Carmen Padilla, commissioner of the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines (UNACOM), said the terraces might be taken off the World Heritage list if the government fails to restore their natural grandeur in two years.

"The UNACOM statement serves as a serious warning to the national government to come up with decisive action to preserve the rice terraces, built more than 2,000 years ago and (which) made the Philippines famous," Baguilat told the paper.

He said provincial governments along with non-governmental organizations and civil society faced an uphill battle to preserve and protect the rice terraces.

Over the years UNESCO has expressed its concern about the deterioration of the rice terraces due to mismanagement, uncontrolled building and the apparent absence of a sustainable tourism program.

A major tourist attraction, the rice terraces cover 20,000 hectares (49,400 acres) along the Cordillera mountain range on the main island of Luzon.

Placed on the World Heritage List in 1995, they rise from the bottom of valleys to about 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) and higher in some places.

Environmentalists have said that more than 50 percent of the terraces have vanished over the years.

Copyright 2007 Agence France-Presse. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/regions/view_article.php?article_id=87644

Wonderboy

September 10th, 2007, 06:06 AM

^^ It's pretty obvious that the media is trying its best to get the attention of the president on the issue. Pero mukhang "deadma" si Madam GMA.

I was thinking before that since she has a PhD in Economics, she'd be level-headed and knows how to balance her priorities. But arts and culture was set aside.

LordCarnal

September 10th, 2007, 06:07 AM

^^

Quote from archaeologue from the Cebu Heritage Walk thread,

I was in Bantayan over the weekend to investigate the massive looting of an archaeological site there and I chanced upon the last of the two Rubio houses that still has its tejas or tisa (roof tiles) on it. This was the subject of a study I made in 1999, still unpublished for various reasons (mea culpa!) ..

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k66/weichunglao/rubiohouse1.jpg

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k66/weichunglao/rubiohouse2.jpg

Sadly, the house is crumbling at the seams. Its facade, which faces the town plaza, is still relatively intact...But the back is a sorry state.

No one lives there now. Vince Escario and I visited the last owner, Dr. Isabelo Gaerlan at his rest house in Sillon. He and his siblings, who inherited the property from their mother Loling Lozada-Gaerlan, are selling this property for P25 million...two years ago it was P20 million! Vince Escario and the LGU are now busy looking for a benefactor/s to help save this last piece of the Hispanic past of Bantayan.

Ang Bantayanon, if naa kay 25 million pesos, palita intawn ni wui...or if naa u kaila like si Don Louie perhaps...pagkapaet sa nahiaguman aning balaya....it's going the way of the Rubios who used to be the wealthiest in the town during the late 1800s...

Let's start a campaign to buy this property! We're running out of time! Jollibee gani makapalit ani, human-tikaan jud ning balaya! Tabang Sugbo!

alcogoodwin

September 10th, 2007, 07:10 AM

Hi Bustero

Actually I go through some of the sub forums my main interest here is of course in the projects going up, specially new ones and what infrastructure is going up. I like reading the north south rail thread but it moves too fast and the discussion is too unfocused on plain updates on what goes on with the current projects. I actually believe it can be divided up into several threads that would cover the various topics there.

Over the time I think we have had three different related threads on the railways there but ultimately this has not worked and the other threads (inc heritage type one) disappeared off the bottom of the page.

For example a specific railway heritage thread or proposed line thread. That being said it's actually good to see a once quiet thread so dynamic once more.

As above, the heritage one never really took off.
Funnily enough, on Yahoogroups I have had to set up a whole lot of different groups for the same reason you are proposing. 'PhilippineRailways', 'Philippine_Transportation', 'Philippine_Modelling', Philippine_Pals' and a few others.
Yet on SSC it tends to do fine altogether with other threads not really wanted it seems.

For your rail historical society or museum, you need to define the precise purpose, objectives and scope of the organization. It will make it easier to make some sort of plan, long and short.

Done some weeks ago. It will appear when I rebuild the PRHS webpage again. This should be in coming weeks as work slows up.

There are many interesting projects to do, some will be easy and some will be hard but worthwhile. A prioritization of these will be interesting. In general the more people and organizations on board

I am not sure about other organizations getting on board. While we certainly wish to work in with other railway preservation projects, we don't wish to get involved heavily in other unrelated organizations which may take our minds away from the main task at hand.
Certainly the more people the better. We would love to have a large active membership of locals, it is afterall a museum for them.

who buy into the organizations vision makes it more effective.

In what context do you mean 'buy into'?

Actually you should try meet up with Robles as he's pretty progressive. LRT actually has some sort of a learning center which they plan to convert to a museum in the long run I heard.It's at the Santolan Depo, the most advanced in the country. Working with them would be a quick and easy way to get some credible projects done

Has already been moves in this area. Believe we are getting somewhat further forward than the current website would suggest. A major meeting was held on Saturday just gone to discuss some very important formation based things.

Beyond history and heritage I'd also try to involve current and future rail based aspects involved.

After much discussion we have decided that as a 'historical' society we will be dealing only in things from today back to day 1. This would only be varied if it was to preserve proposed ideas, which, in reality is history to.
It is not our place to have involvement in what the railways do in the future, this is for a rail action type group as I have often said on the Northrail thread.

In the long run funding is always an issue and it's easier to raise funds for projects from current suppliers of the system in kind then to get cash of them , a focus on that side of a museum would be to promote rails and rail technology which makes it easier to get the young kids who will be tomorrows rail enthusiasts.

Certainly. You couldn't have a historical society without showing the many changes in techonological development since the railways started there.
It has always been proposed to also preserve items and history of the LRT/MRT history as it happens. We are not limiting ourselves to what railways in the Philippines we cover.
Funds and sponsorship have both been discussed and will of course be looked into. It would certainly be hard without it.

Anyway count me in to help, I'm all for this type of project.

Thats great mate. We certainly will be needing members to make it work.
Railway museums are certainly a huge undertaking.

Best wishes
Brad

bustero

September 10th, 2007, 09:06 AM

Hi Bustero
Over the time I think we have had three different related threads on the railways there but ultimately this has not worked and the other threads (inc heritage type one) disappeared off the bottom of the page.
As above, the heritage one never really took off.
Funnily enough, on Yahoogroups I have had to set up a whole lot of different groups for the same reason you are proposing. 'PhilippineRailways', 'Philippine_Transportation', 'Philippine_Modelling', Philippine_Pals' and a few others.
Yet on SSC it tends to do fine altogether with other threads not really wanted it seems.
Done some weeks ago. It will appear when I rebuild the PRHS webpage again. This should be in coming weeks as work slows up.
I am not sure about other organizations getting on board. While we certainly wish to work in with other railway preservation projects, we don't wish to get involved heavily in other unrelated organizations which may take our minds away from the main task at hand.
Certainly the more people the better. We would love to have a large active membership of locals, it is afterall a museum for them.
In what context do you mean 'buy into'?
Has already been moves in this area. Believe we are getting somewhat further forward than the current website would suggest. A major meeting was held on Saturday just gone to discuss some very important formation based things.
After much discussion we have decided that as a 'historical' society we will be dealing only in things from today back to day 1. This would only be varied if it was to preserve proposed ideas, which, in reality is history to.
It is not our place to have involvement in what the railways do in the future, this is for a rail action type group as I have often said on the Northrail thread.
Certainly. You couldn't have a historical society without showing the many changes in techonological development since the railways started there.
It has always been proposed to also preserve items and history of the LRT/MRT history as it happens. We are not limiting ourselves to what railways in the Philippines we cover.
Funds and sponsorship have both been discussed and will of course be looked into. It would certainly be hard without it.
Thats great mate. We certainly will be needing members to make it work.
Railway museums are certainly a huge undertaking.
Best wishes
Brad

A historical society it is then.

"buy into" means getting their (various stakeholders) support having a sense of ownership over the idea or the plan. It basically lessens organization and community resistance and enlarges the supporting cast members. The idea is that instead of foisting a finished or fixed idea on a certain consituency or community, it would be easier to get their help or acceptance or even non opposition, if by process of consultation or getting them involved the various players that constitute part of such a project all agree and get pointed in one direction so that the whole thing is as frictionless as possible.

e.g. in this context of a railway historical society, you probably want to get all the players on board as early as possible even if they will not be part of management or policy. Meralco (are you including heritage tram lines?), PNR, LRTA, DOTC, the sugar centrals association (there is one ), the Heritage societies, the LGU's , the manufacturers, Educational institutions, etc would best get them involved and endorsing the project as early as possible. Since it seems you already have a pretty defined vision I don't think you will get sidetracked so much but their support would definitely be helpful.

Good luck on the project.

LordCarnal

September 10th, 2007, 11:19 AM

Restoration and Rehabilitation of Boljoon Church, a national heritage landmark. One of the institutions responsible for its restoration is the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) based in Pari-an, Cebu City.

Before (photo below by Estan Cabigas of simbahan.net)
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1360/1254160961_86421cd8b5.jpg

As of 09/10/2007
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Boljoon/boljoon07.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Boljoon/boljoon08.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/Boljoon/boljoon06.jpg

.:.

Wonderboy

September 13th, 2007, 06:48 AM

Dear Friends,

I have just read and signed the online petition:

"The Return of the Bells of Balangiga"

hosted on the web by PetitionOnline.com, the free online petition
service, at:

http://www.PetitionOnline.com/bells05/

I personally agree with what this petition says, and I think you might
agree, too. If you can spare a moment, please take a look, and consider signing yourself.

Best wishes,

Wonderboy

LordCarnal

September 13th, 2007, 07:56 AM

Argao town plaza

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/argao01.jpg

Intramuros in Argao. Within the walls were the church complex, the Casa Real, the military barracks and other structures.
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/argao04.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/argao08.jpg

Wonderboy

September 13th, 2007, 04:12 PM

^^ The town plaza looks nice, Arnold. Thanks for sharing.

Wonderboy

September 13th, 2007, 04:13 PM

If you wish to help the NHI with the declaration of significant structures within your area, kindly refer to the contact details below:

National Historical Institute
NHI Building, T.M. Kalaw Street, Ermita, Manila 1000
Tel. No. (02) 5231039
Fax No. (02) 5363181
E-mail: nhi@ideal-access.ph

* An NHI form (Identification of Significant Historical Structure) should be filled out and submitted to NHI office. If you wish to obtain a copy, please feel free to get in touch with the NHI.

Criteria For Identification of Historic Sites and Structures:

1. Properties strongly associated with important historical events or personages and other illustrious Filipinos or whose owner had achieved an enduring contribution toward the enrichment of Filipino historico-cultural heritage.

2. Properties of architectural, cultural, historical, scientific and social significance, including those that depict local aesthetic values or their builders, and those related to a significant historico-cultural experience of the Filipino people;

3. Properties that bear strong foreign architectural influences such as American, Spanish or Japanese and those with strong evidences of an active political, social, economic and cultural relations with neighboring countries;

4. Properties such as gates, walls, forts, towers, bastions, ramparts, parapets, bridges or palisades that stand out as monuments to the artistry, craftsmanship and industry of Filipino artisans and laborers who were responsible for their construction and serve as mute witnesses to the heroic spirit of the Filipinos of yesteryears;

5. Properties which were the site of the first establishments in the Philippines such as the site where the first printing press was built, first commercial house, first theater, first school, first transportation office, etc.; and,

6. Groups or clusters of buildings or structures, or a whole precinct, district, town center, including plazas, gardens, historic ruins, streets, bridges, fences, visual corridors, vista points and other open spaces and the immediate environs that are given importance because of their setting and not due to their individual elements or characteristics.

7. All sites and structures must at least be 50 years old and display a high degree of authenticity to qualify for consideration.

Classification of Historic Structures

Under existing procedures, the framework adopted by the Institute in the classification of historic sites and structures for preservation consists of six categories as follows:

1. National Shrines - historic sites hallowed and honored for their history or association. e.g. Rizal Shrine-Calamba, Laguna; Rizal Shrine-Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila; Aguinaldo Shrine, Kawit Cavite; Pinaglabanan Memorial Shrine, San Juan, Metro Manila; Quezon Memorial Shrine, Quezon City; and Mabini Shrine, Tanauan, Batangas.

2. National Monuments - objects, structures or sites dedicated to memorialize or give reverence to a special historic personage or event, e.g. Rizal National Monument, Rizal Park; A. Bonifacio National Monument, Caloocan City.

3. National Landmarks - sites or structures that are associated with an event, achievement, characteristic, or modification that makes a turning point or stage in Philippine history, e.g. Paoay Church Historical Landmark [also a World Heritage Site], Ilocos Norte; Miagao Church Historical Landmark [also a World Heritage Site], Iloilo; Barasoain Church Historical Landmark, Malolos, Bulacan; Sheik Mahkdum Historical Landmark, Tawi-Tawi; Taal (Town Center) Historical Landmark; and Pila (Town Center) Historical Landmark, Pila, Laguna.

4. Heritage Houses - houses of ancestry with notable historical and cultural significance, e.g. Syquia Mansion, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur; Houses in Silay City, Negros Occidental.

5. Historic Sites - natural areas or places with historical significance, and places recognized, marked, or declared such as Biak-na-bato, San Miguel, Bulacan; Pamitinan Cave, Montalban, Rizal.

6. Classified - structures and sites not falling under the above five categories are listed as Classified and recorded in the NHI's National Registry of Historic Structures. E.g. All Philippine colonial churches which are more than 50 years old, with or without the official historical marker of the National Historical Institute, by virtue of NHI Board Resolution No. 3, s. 1991.

All sites and structures must fall within the NHI criteria for Identification of Historic Sites and Structures. In the identification procedure, all sites and structures must, at least be 50 years old and display a high degree of authenticity to qualify for consideration.

Source: National Historical Institute

alcogoodwin

September 14th, 2007, 01:32 PM

A historical society it is then.

"buy into" means getting their (various stakeholders) support having a sense of ownership over the idea or the plan. It basically lessens organization and community resistance and enlarges the supporting cast members. The idea is that instead of foisting a finished or fixed idea on a certain consituency or community, it would be easier to get their help or acceptance or even non opposition, if by process of consultation or getting them involved the various players that constitute part of such a project all agree and get pointed in one direction so that the whole thing is as frictionless as possible.

e.g. in this context of a railway historical society, you probably want to get all the players on board as early as possible even if they will not be part of management or policy. Meralco (are you including heritage tram lines?), PNR, LRTA, DOTC, the sugar centrals association (there is one ), the Heritage societies, the LGU's , the manufacturers, Educational institutions, etc would best get them involved and endorsing the project as early as possible. Since it seems you already have a pretty defined vision I don't think you will get sidetracked so much but their support would definitely be helpful.

Good luck on the project.

Howdee Bustero,
Yep it would include anything that has ever ran on railway lines in the Philippines, although fun park rides have not in the past been discussed. We would love to see a heritage tram line being done, however this already seems possible so we don't wish to compete.
Amazingly I found a contact with the 'Negros Sugar Association' board while at a party here in Sydney. Its amazing who shows up at these karaoki nights :)
When things move ahead more I shall start a new PRHS thread on here for all news updates.

Best wishes
Brad

Rence

September 14th, 2007, 03:22 PM

ivanhenares

September 14th, 2007, 03:47 PM

Wonderboy

September 14th, 2007, 09:56 PM

^^ Yup, that's right. But it wouldn't hurt to help NHI. I was told that if someone does a premilinary research and submits a report to their office, it will speed up the declaration of the structures.

ivanhenares

September 15th, 2007, 02:27 AM

^^ Yup, it does. We submitted a preliminary report in 2001, and got our first declarations in 2003. That's fast na. Other structures in that report are still pending up to today. But we should help the NHI. I hope the board would meet as often as they did before (once a month) so that declarations are faster.

jbkayaker12

September 15th, 2007, 02:37 AM

Argao town plaza

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s223/arnold_carl/Wordpress/Old_Churches/argao01.jpg

Nice plaza, although local officials need to take the banner on the lefthand side off the structure.

overtureph

September 15th, 2007, 05:17 AM

ENDANGERED SITE
Ifugaos told: Decide terraces’ fate

By Vincent Cabreza
Inquirer
Last updated 01:51am (Mla time) 09/15/2007

BAGUIO CITY—Ifugaos are going to choose for themselves whether or not they should preserve the centuries-old rice terraces in the province, Gov. Teodoro Baguilat Jr. said here.

But if Ifugao clans agree that the relics must be preserved, it is the active marketing of an organically grown terrace rice brand that will keep the terraces economically viable, he said.

Niche

“Going organic, kasi, to me [is] the niche of what is Ifugao,” he said.

The latest round of inspection conducted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization said the terraces’ disintegration has reached an alarming rate because more terraces have been abandoned.

The terraces’ state of affairs imperils their credentials as a world heritage site.

But Baguilat said that is pressure best addressed by the national government, which inscribed the terraces in a list of living heritage sites in 1995.

Endangered

“According to Unesco’s benchmark, we have failed so we are still in the endangered list… [They have standards for] the way you construct roads in the Cordillera, the way you fix the irrigation… [and] there have been interventions over the past 10 years.

“ with or without the Unesco declaration, it’s still ours. Mahirap nga lang talaga (It’s difficult) because you’re dealing with national and international politics.”

“But at least there’s a growing international community [who believe that] it’s up to the Ifugaos [to decide the fate of the terraces].”

[B]Public hearings

The governor said public hearings for a modern land use plan covering the Ifugao terraces would dictate how much the province needs to invest in their upkeep.

The terraces rely on government subsidy to repair and maintain their ancient irrigation system.

But there is no subsidy for clans who have given up farm life for a job in the cities, Baguilat said.

He said he is studying the development of an Ifugao brand because making the terraces pay their own way is a step in the right direction.

Coffee lessons

He said he was inspired by a process initiated by the Figaro Coffee to secure for all its organic coffee supply an organic quality certification from Naturland, a European certifying agency.

Figaro has started harnessing Ifugao’s organic coffee. Organic tinawon (which means once-a-year in the dialect) is now being exported in small quantities by the Revitalized Indigenous Cordilleran Entrepreneurs Inc. (RICE).

The terraces’ small farms make commercial rice production a poor option for Ifugao, Baguilat said.

He said attempts to introduce high-yielding varieties of rice failed because of the inordinate amount of chemical inputs required to keep these varieties fruitful.

Man-made destruction

“Walang mangyayari sa atin (nothing will happen to us) if we follow the same formula (for sustaining the relics). We destroy our forests and (everything else has become) commercial,” he said.

“That’s just a look into the future. This is the inevitable outcome when the trade barriers disappear completely. We would be competing with vegetables from China… talo na tayo. Isipin natin saan tayo mananalo, ano yung competitive advantage natin? (We lose. Let’s think instead of our edge. What is our competitive advantage against China?) Organic,” he said.

“One thing good with the [the terraces’ world heritage] inscription is that it showed us there is a problem. Every day we wake up to the rice terraces and we always assume these are alive and well.”

Copyright 2007 Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/regions/view_article.php?article_id=88713

ivanhenares

September 15th, 2007, 05:28 PM

Hey guys! I need your help. Please help me answer the comment in my blog: "given a chance, you have the power to choose the SEVEN WONDERS OF OLD MANILA, what would they be? and why??"

It's in http://www.ivanhenares.com/2005/04/index-of-declared-structures-and-sites.html

Thanks!

jbkayaker12

September 16th, 2007, 12:12 AM

Aside from the man made structures in the country, areas in need of even more assistance are the National Parks in the country. Nature in the Philippines has considerably suffered under the continous attacked from the people. Education is the key for it to be able to survive for future generations.

overtureph

September 18th, 2007, 02:36 AM

Another case of what happened??????? The Aduana, also formerly the office of Manuel Quezon (before becoming Commonwealth President), the Manila Mint and what used to be the Central Bank. This was supposed to be restored about ten years ago, complete with media coverage, spotlight installations (turned on at night) and a fence built. But almost a decade later, the future home of the National Archives is still in ruins. And since it seems they peeled the old paint and whatever was used to cover the adobe walls, it seems its more in bad shape now then it was back then. Whoever was responsible for its rehabilitation and conservation seems to have forgotten all about it, and as such, the structure left to further exposed to the elements. This reminds me of the Jai Alai building on Taft Ave. The former mayor (Lito Atienza) was hell bent on demolishing it, supposedly for a Hall of Justice and now, it's just a hole.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/misc/edit2091.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/misc/edit2090.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/misc/edit2089.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/misc/edit2088.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/misc/edit1040.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/misc/edit1042.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/misc/edit1039.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/misc/edit1038.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/misc/edit1034.jpg

http://http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/misc/edit1033.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/misc/edit1028.jpg

Photos by overtureph.

Rence

September 18th, 2007, 05:27 PM

:ohno: According to the rumor mill , The Filipinos just wanted money for the said project but the Spanish government wanted a more concrete actions on the restorations which is being carried out . Kaya the project was halted!

ivanhenares

September 18th, 2007, 07:17 PM

Nice plaza, although local officials need to take the banner on the lefthand side off the structure.

They should take out that ugly portico they added last year. Dapat wala yun dun.

jbkayaker12

September 19th, 2007, 09:16 AM

They should take out that ugly portico they added last year. Dapat wala yun dun.

Ganyan talaga sa Pilipinas eh, dagdag ng dagdag.

GearX

September 21st, 2007, 12:11 PM

Tangub City to host 28th national confab on history
By Judith L. Bayog-Tablan

TANGUB City in Misamis Occidental is scheduled to host the 28th National Conference on Local and National History on November 29-December 1, 2007.

Under the sponsorship of the Tangub City Historical Commission, in collaboration with the University of San Carlos, Cebu City, this year’s conference theme is “Focus on Mindanao and Sulu.”

This is the second time Region 10 will be hosting the national conference, the first being at Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro City in 1978.

According to Dr. Bernardita R. Churchill, president of the Philippine National Historical Society Inc. (PNHSI), the conference will look at the research and writing on Mindanao and Sulu and identify gaps that can be addressed by future or further research, situating the region’s history in the context of a Philippine national historiography.

The PNHS, the oldest voluntary professional organization devoted to the study and research in Philippine history, was officially organized by Dr. Eufronio M. Alip Sr, and Director Eulogio B. Rodriguez on February 21, 1941.

Those who are interested to attend the conference may get in touch with Dr. Churchill, PNHS president and convener, with mailing address at #40 Matiwasay St. UP Village, 1101 Diliman Quezon City. The email address is nitachurchill@hotmail.com. Website is http://pnhsi.tripod.com.

The following may also be contacted: Narcisa A. Naron, General Commissioner, Tangub City Historical Commission, Tel. No. (088) 354-1591, Cellphone No. 0906-7609-932 and Judith L. Bayog-Tablan, Information Officer, Tangub City and General Secretary, Tangub City Historical Commission, Tel No. (088) 354-1591, Email: judette78@yahoo.com, Pnhs28@yahoo.com, Cell phone No: 09262330080.(Tangub CIO/PIA)

ivanhenares

September 25th, 2007, 11:39 AM

We heard on September 23 that Atty. Leto Sato sold his more than
100-year-old ancestral house for Php 30 million to Lucio
Tan/Philippine National Bank. This house is located on one of the
corners of the National Highway and the Carcar town plaza.

*We heard that PNB will demolish the house to put up a bank. According
to the grapevine, Atty. Sato said that he will sue anybody who tries
to stop him from demolishing his house.* Recently, Sato demolished a
new wooden staircase attached to the azotea. There is no other work
going on now that I could see.

One of our Heritage (CHCS) members, who works for the Carcar lgu,
talked to Mayor Patrick Barcenas about this issue. He told Barcenas
that the reason the DPWH road widening didn't push through was the
presence of the heritage houses on the National Highway. Barcenas
asked him what to do and he said, "ask Heritage". Barcenas didn't
reply.

We don't have any more details but will try to get more information
when it becomes available. CHCS members will try to talk to Atty.
Sato's family and from other sources including finding somebody at PNB
who can verify their house purchase and sale conditions.

The house was under court litigation. One of the Jaen family heirs
(former house owners) filed a lawsuit against the Sato. I don't know
the specifics of the lawsuit but it appears from the latest
development that both parties settled. Otherwise, how else could the
sale happen if the papers weren't in order.

For background, the Sato house was one of the five more than one
hundred year old ancestral houses on the National Highway that the
DPWH wanted to demolish for their road-widening project 2002. This
house is significant in Carcar and Cebu history because it was where
the Philippine Revolutionary leader in Cebu -- General Leon Kilat (aka
Panteleon Villegas) was assassinated in 1898. It is also the largest
Carcar ancestral house with excellent architectural handiwork and
details.

*We have a Carcar heritage ordinance, passed in 2005, protecting our
heritage structures and sites but I don't know if Barcenas or the lgu
will take any action to prevent a demolition even of a major heritage
house located in our old town center.*

The lgu has no inventory of heritage structures according to one our
city councilors. Nestor Velez, MD told me this more than one month ago
when I acted as their lgu guide when Henry Schumacher of the European
Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines passed through Carcar.
Councilor Velez is also the vice-chairman of the lgu's Tourism
Committee chaired by Carcar's new vice-mayor Nicepuro Apura.

Atty. Sato has the right to sell his ancestral house. My only issue
and concern is the possible demolition and its implications with a
Carcar heritage ordinance in place. This development is a decisive
test for implementing the ordinance and on the Carcar lgu's resolve to
enforce the law. This ordinance is the only local law protecting
heritage structures and sites in all of Cebu province.

I believe that we have to do something to support the heritage
ordinance since the Sato house is protected under law. I'm afraid that
if the Sato house is demolished the four other heritage houses on the
National Highway or in Carcar's heritage zones may follow.

I hope that there is still a means to save the house for adaptive
reuse. I know that one very large ancestral house in Luzon was
converted into a bank. It is still a bank but open for visitors to
view.

Do you think that heritage conservation advocates in Cebu and at the
national level can find a way to work with the new owners and discuss
adaptive reuse of this house? Can we find a way to talk to the local,
provincial and national governments to find the means to save the
house?

*Does anyone have a PNB contact or a contact with Lucio Tan's staff to
confirm the sale?* We have to get all the facts together from all the
concerned parties before taking any action.

You may recall that the Carcar Heritage Conservation Society (CHCS)
formed in 2002 because of the road-widening issue on the National
Highway specifically to save those five ancestral houses and the
Carcar Kiosko and Rotunda.

Do you think it is still possible to have a win-win situation for
heritage conservation and adaptive reuse with the new owners? If so,
how can we make this happen before the lgu issues a demolition permit?
I'd appreciate any of your thoughts on how to proceed to save the
house for adaptive reuse.

Jerry Martin Alfafara
External VP and PRO
CHCS

PS - This development/issue is sure to hit the papers etc. because of
the issues involved and the house's importance to Carcar and Cebu
history. It's also a very negative development for Cebu's heritage
conservation movement if the demolition occurs since Carcar has a
heritage ordinance.

ivanhenares

September 25th, 2007, 01:11 PM

Join us at "Philippine Towns and Cities: Reflections of the Past, Lessons for the Future" on November 9, 2007 at the Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center, 101 General Luna Street, Iloilo City.

The main objective of this seminar series is to enhance civic engagement with local governments units so the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) can inform and guide them on the proper care and utilization of a valuable asset — built heritage resources. The first seminar was held last 8 November 2006, at the Development Academy of the Philippines, Pasig City.

In our towns and cities, wanton real estate speculation and over-construction are often mistaken for modernization when in fact these exert devastating pressure on the historic and cultural core of many of our human settlements. As a result, a valuable economic resource – built heritage — is left to deteriorate or is thoughtlessly demolished in the name of progress. Concerted effort is imperative to protect heritage resources because these are revenue and job-generating assets that can spark economic revitalization, as the case of Vigan clearly shows.

However, there is a general lack of awareness at the local government level, which is precisely where policies should be formulated and ordinances passed to declare heritage districts and protect these as the town's or city's prime assets. Built heritage resources should be the core of any master plan for urban development and inner town/city revitalization. Livelihood opportunities are generated by adaptive re-use, the revival of traditional crafts for restoration work and an increase in tourism receipts.

Significantly, communities begin to feel a "pride of place".

The "Philippine Towns and Cities" seminar series is a communications campaign to influence policy makers at the local government level. Through the "Mayors' Forum", best practices are shared. Other stakeholders in the Executive branch, the private sector and the academe are invited to participate because heritage conservation is a multi-disciplinary concern.

In a second seminar, the Heritage Conservation Society will take this awareness and education campaign to the local governments of the Vizayas, where built heritage resources abound in the cities of Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Dumaguete, Tagbilaran, and many others.

For more information, contact Ms. Dorie Soriano (HCS): 521-2239, 522-2497, info@heritage.org.ph; or Ms. Len Diño (UPF): 895-1812, 896-1902, 890-2480, annalynn.upf@gmail.com.

ivanhenares

September 27th, 2007, 03:41 AM

Ivan - see todays PDI and article about the Philtrust building in Binondo that is due for demolishion!!! It is the old Cochuango (or some such name I cannot recall - but obviously Tisnoy - and has withstood WWII and is a fabulous architectural piece...will it fall to the wrecker ball too??? Can't we get Lucio Tan or someother to purchase and restore it?? Same goes for the old HSBC building on Juan Luna - and the old First National City Bank (now called Citibank) bldg also on Juan Luna!!?? What a shame to lose these buildings...Leslie Murray

ivanhenares

September 27th, 2007, 03:49 AM

Binondo building facade crumbles; 8 cars damaged

September 27, 2007
Updated 01:19:46 (Mla time)
Tina Santos
Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines – Parts of the façade of an abandoned building in Binondo, Manila, crumbled yesterday and fell on at least eight vehicles which were parked nearby.

Of the eight vehicles, three were destroyed while the rest sustained some damage.

There were no injuries or fatalities reported.

Police said the debris came from the eight-story Philtrust building on Quintin Paredes and Cervantes Streets that had been condemned and ordered demolished.

The City Council of Manila earlier passed a resolution seeking to tear down all condemned buildings and infrastructures in the city.

Councilor Lourdes Isip-Garcia, chair of the committee on housing and urban development and resettlement, had voiced her concern about the fact that the city has many condemned buildings that remain standing.

“There have been a lot of notices (for demolition) sent out but I have yet to see actual demolition take place,” Garcia said. “These structures are dangerous to the public. They might collapse anytime, might harm or kill people and cause damage to other properties,” she said, adding that condemned buildings “attract the homeless and curious little children, particularly street kids.”

ivanhenares

September 27th, 2007, 03:55 AM

^^Just asked Ivan ManDy. It's the 1950s building beside it which is also owned by Philtrust. Not the Uychaco Building itself. :) Whew!

overtureph

September 28th, 2007, 01:35 AM

San Miguel, Manila

One of the few places in Manila that still has a number of old houses from the Spanish and American periods. They say this district used to be where the rich used to live.

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/San%20Miguel/edit7872.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/San%20Miguel/edit7871.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/San%20Miguel/edit7870.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/San%20Miguel/edit7868.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/San%20Miguel/edit7867.jpg

Photos by overtureph.

overtureph

September 28th, 2007, 01:50 AM

continuation of San Miguel, Manila

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/San%20Miguel/edit7866.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/San%20Miguel/edit7865.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/San%20Miguel/edit7864.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/San%20Miguel/edit7863.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/San%20Miguel/edit7862.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/San%20Miguel/edit7861.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/San%20Miguel/edit7860.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a89/overtureph/San%20Miguel/edit7859.jpg

Photos by overtureph.

rzobeldeayala

September 28th, 2007, 03:59 AM

those are such nice pictures, good work! i liked the san miguel parts, i love the architecture. i remember there was an old spanish hacienda style home there that rented out to parties and events, it was really nice, i saw it on the web

ivanhenares

September 28th, 2007, 09:03 AM

PAST FORWARD
Pleasant surprises in old Argao

By Joeber Bersales
Cebu Daily News
Last updated 12:12pm (Mla time) 09/27/2007

It was apt that the Cebu Provincial Committee on Sites, Relics and Structures conducted its 10th and last heritage caravan in the town of Argao this week, already thick into hectic preparations for its fiesta celebrations this weekend in honor of its patron, San Miguel Arcangel. For Argao’s town center – its pueblo – continues to defy the tinkering hands of well-intentioned but heritage-deficit influential individuals.

By now everyone is familiar with the ill-advised repainting and gold-leafing of the centuries old images as well as the retablo mayor of the town’s church and the construction of two buildings that look like Grecian temples (!) locked tightly between the town’s Spanish-era casa real. One of these “temples” stand on what was once a 1920s maternity and puericulture center hastily brought down in 2003 without much lament even if many members of most of the prominent and less-known families of Argao were born here.

Despite these defilements and the caricaturing of some the town’s old splendors, the Spanish-era plaza complex continues to retain some pleasant surprises. Twice over the past 10 days I have had the pleasure of staying with Ted Gumila Villarimo, a local heritage enthusiast who plans to help establish a local heritage group in Argao. I was also with his cousin Vince Escario, Bantayan’s tourism officer (see also, Past Forward, September 13) who happens to be linked to Argao through her mother, a Lucero also intertwined with the Kintanars.

* * *

The Casa Real of Argao, threatened with destruction two years ago, still stands remarkably intact with its tejado (tiled) roof, baldoza floors and huge timber posts – a testament to timely intervention. Incidentally, this structure has now been designated by the newly elected heritage-conscious mayor Edsel Galeos as the site for its town museum. Alex Kintanar Gonzales, the town’s tourism officer, was in fact busy putting up a gallery of old and recent photos as well as a genealogy of Argao’s old families, complete with family crests. To the right of the casa real is the Casa Tribunal, home to the judiciary, which for a time remained a shell of its former Hispanic splendor until the Supreme Court provided funds for its restoration.

More pleasant surprises came when Ricky Jose, foremost church heritage expert in the country, wrote in the 1980s of the old paso of the town – 14 panels with bas-reliefs symbolizing the Stations of the Cross that line the coral stone perimeter fence, one of only two that remain in the Philippines today. Despite calling attention to this treasure, years of ill-advised landscaping kept it hidden in shrubbery which was finally removed last year. Equally important is the old mortuary chapel built of lime mortar and coral stone now hidden and blocked off by the incongruous outpatient department of the town’s district hospital (yes, the hospital in within the town’s plaza complex!).

Vince suspects, given the reliefs on the facade and the altar wall of the small chapel, that this is more than a mere mortuario, already rare in Cebu, but a capilla de sacrificios, rarer still and perhaps the only one in the province. Among the reliefs on the façade is San Miguel holding on his right hand a newborn baby in upside down position. The relief on the altar wall is tinged with indigo blue in parts, a color symbolizing the innocence of infants. This must have been a chapel where mothers poured out all their grief over the loss of a child or where survivors lamented in prayers the sudden demise of loved ones due to epidemics and calamities.

* * *

The pueblo of Argao continues to be a very engaging place indeed and the challenge for heritage advocates and enthusiasts was driven home in the two-day caravan: that the passion for the past is littered with unplanned development that encroaches on heritage. But Argao’s woes, of course, pale in comparison to those of many more towns in Cebu. And its pueblo’s defiance, with tourists and visitors coming to see the now-fragmented imprints of its memory, should serve to remind everyone that the past is as important as the present and an integral part of our future.

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/cebudailynews/opinion/view_article.php?article_id=91050