Preserve the Mountain Province Capitol in Bontoc!

Last night, I received word HCS Chairperson Gemma Cruz-Araneta that another heritage building, this time in Mountain Province, was proposed for demolition. I was told that provincial government wanted to replace the charming American colonial capitol building in Bontoc, Mountain Province with a new structure. The Mountain Province Capitol was in fact among the local government buildings featured in the 2007 HCS Calendar.


I verified with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines to check if they knew about it. And it turns out, they've already acted on it. But their recommendations are a a bit alarming too. Below are excerpts from the letter of NHCP chairperson Dr. Ma. Serena Diokno to Gov. Leonard G. Mayaen:

This has reference to your letter regarding the plan to reconstruct the old wooden provincial capitol building and inquiry if it has been declared Important Cultural Property pursuant to RA 10066.

Please be informed that Section 5 of Republic Act 10066 (National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009) states that all structures more than 50 years old are presumed to be Important Cultural Property. While there has been no formal declaration made by the National Museum (NM) or National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) on the provincial capitol building, it has been an important part of the history and cultural life of the province. We strongly suggest that a new and appropriately sized Capitol Building be constructed at another site to accommodate the various offices and functions of the provincial government, while the original front wing of the old capitol building be preserve and reused as a provincial museum, cultural and tourism office, or training and conference center.

The provincial government may also consider the following options:

1. Preserve the building shell and reconstruct the interior with reinforced concrete or steel framework. This will need prior approval of architectural design by the NHCP and extensive photo-documentation before, during and, after intervention.

2. Dismantle the wooden building wing and reconstruct its architecture using simulated concrete material. This will need prior approval of architectural design by the NHCP and extensive photo-documentation before, during and, after intervention.

3. Dismantle the wooden building wing and integrate its facade into the new (replacement) building. This will need prior approval of architectural design by the NHCP and extensive photo-documentation before, during and, after intervention.

We would appreciate a copy of the development plan for our assessment and recommendations.

Register now for the 6th Philippine Towns and Cities Conference (November 4, 2011)

The Heritage Conservation Society (HCS), Urban Partnerships Foundation (UPF), Philippine Institute of Environmental Planners (PIEP), the City Government of Manila, the Manila Historical and Heritage Commission, together with Far Eastern University, invite you to the 6th Annual Conference on Philippine Towns and Cities (PTC) at the FEU Auditorium, Far Eastern University on November 4, 2011, Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For the past six years, PTC has enhanced civic engagement with local governments units in order to inform and guide the LGUs on the proper care and utilization of a valuable asset — built heritage resources. This year's focus will be on the revitalization of inner city districts, particularly those in the City of Manila.

We encourage architects, urban planners, property developers, policy makers, national and local government officials, engineers, planners, building officials and tourism officers, heritage property owners, and all those interested in heritage to attend. The urban revitalization of old city centers and historic districts is the new big thing for urban planning, property developers and local government policy. This would be a good opportunity for everyone to get insights on opportunities in the revitalization of historic districts.

Conference fess are Php1000 for both government and private participants; and Php200 for undergraduate students with IDs. For more information, contact Dorie Soriano or Luz Regalado of the Heritage Conservation Society at (02) 5466367, (02) 3534494, (0917) 8668853, (0906) 2625631 or e-mail hcs_secretariat@yahoo.com.

08:00–08:30 Registration
08:30–08:40 Welcome Remarks - Ms. Gemma Cruz-Araneta, Chairperson, Heritage Conservation Society
08:40–08:50 Introduction of Participants - Mr. Ivan Anthony Henares, Vice President, Heritage Conservation Society
08:50–09:00 Conference Objectives and Expected Outcomes - Arch. Dominic Q. Galicia
09:00–09:20 Case Presentation: Kalibo (Aklan) - Ms. Ana Legaspi
09:20–09:40 Case Presentation: Taal (Batangas) - Mr. Ernie Villavicencio
09:40–10:00 Case Presentation: Santa Maria (Bulacan) - Dr. Sylvia Tomas Joaquin
10:00–10:20 Case Presentation: Binan (Laguna) - Dr. Rosauro Sta. Maria
10:20–10:45 Open Forum
10:45–11:00 Coffee Break
11:00–11:20 “The Challenges and Opportunities of Inner City Revitalization” - Mr. Florian Steinberg, Senior Urban Development Specialist, ADB
11:20–11:40 “The New Plan for the Restoration of Intramuros” - Mr. Jose A. Capistrano, Jr., Administrator, Intramuros Administration
11:40–12:00 Discussion
12:00–13:00 Lunch
13:00–13:20 “Manila: Past, Present and Future” - LArch. Paulo Alcasaren
13:20–13:40 “Binondo: A Past and Future Portal” - Prof. Fernando N. Zialcita
13:40–14:00 “BPO@ Escolta” - Arch. Dominic Q. Galicia
14:00–14:20 “The Legal, Institutional and Regulatory Aspects of the Redevelopment of Historic Districts” - EnP. Asteya Santiago, FPIEP
14:20–14:45 Open Forum
14:45-15:00 Coffee Break
15:00–15:20 “Plans for the Future Development of Metro Manila” - Hon. Francis Tolentino, Chairman, Metro Manila Development Authority
15:20–16:20 Panel Discussion - Arch/EnP. Joy Martinez, Prof. Asteya Santiago, Dr. Nathaniel von Einsiedel, LArch. Paulo Alcasaren, Prof. Fernando Zialcita, Arch. Augusto Villalon, Mr. Jos Ortega and Prof. Mike Luz (Facilitator)
16:20–16:30 Synthesis, Conclusion and Next Steps, Dr. Nathaniel von Einsiedel, President, Heritage Conservation Society

Four-day long weekend from October 29 to November 1, 2011 (All Saints Day)

We have another long weekend coming up! Aside from November 1 (Tuesday), Malacanang just declared October 31 (Monday) as a special non-working holiday through Proclamation No. 265 "to give full opportunity to our people to properly observe [All Saints Day] with all its religious fervor which invariably requires them to travel to and from different regions of the country."

So that's a four-day long weekend for us from October 29 to November 1, 2011. In the meantime, here's the list of Philippine holidays and long-weekend schedule for 2011.

Caltex Road Trip 2011 provides assistance to travelers

When I travel around Luzon, I usually drive since I don't want to be bogged down by bus and jeep schedules, especially in relatively remote locations. There was this one trip we visited Aurora using the old route. No amount of rough road discouraged us from visiting Baler. Access to that side of Luzon was quite difficult in 2007 due to a lot of natural obstacles such as the Sierra Madre mountains, coupled with really bad roads.

We entered Bongabon, and from a distance, the Sierra Madre beckoned as the sun rose from behind them. We finally made it to the foothills driving up a zigzag road. But after just a few meters on the mountain road, the paved part ended and we were faced with a seemingly endless stretch of rough road, about 45 kilometers of it if I remember it right. Then it dawned on us that we forgot to gas up in Cabanatuan!

Our vehicle had just one-fourth of the tank left for the over 60 kilometers to San Luis, Aurora. On the way, we were already thinking of what to do just in case we ran out of gas. The sight of the Caltex gas station was the best thing! We heaved a big sigh of relief once they started to pump gas into our vehicle.


These Luzon road trips are really fun! Especially now that the road conditions north and south of Manila have improved exponentially (just as long as it doesn't rain and flood). Caltex gas stations have always been a welcome oasis for me, to park during long night or early morning drives for a quick power nap, to get some snacks at 7-Eleven stores located in the stations, or to use their clean restrooms in time of dire need. Thank God these Caltex stations are found all across Luzon. One of my favorites is the Mega Caltex Station on the southbound stretch of the NLEX which has some really good dining options.

So don't let the rains dampen your travel plans. It's time to enjoy the joy ride! And don't forget to gas up!

Caltex 75th anniversary in 2011
I didn't realize Caltex is already 75 years this year. There's an ongoing Caltex 75th Anniversary (National) Promo. For a minimum purchase of P500 of Caltex fuel, you get a raffle coupon per receipt. You have until October 25, 2011 to join. One more raffle date is coming up: November 7. Prizes include five Toyota Fortuners and up to Php75000 worth of fuel to several lucky winners.

UNESCO: Heritage Homeowner's Preservation Manual for the World Heritage Site of Vigan, Philippines

Some months ago, Ric Favis of UNESCO Bangkok mentioned to me that the Heritage Homeowner's Preservation Manual for the World Heritage Site of Vigan, Philippines, co-published by UNESCO and the City Government of Vigan, was already available. According to Favis, "The manual is a practical guide to conserving ancestral houses and related historic buildings not only in Vigan but elsewhere in the Philippines. It provides guidelines based on traditional building techniques and modern scientific methods for maintaining and conserving historic structures."

I finally got myself a copy and it's indeed something a heritage house owner must have since it guides owners on how to conserve, maintain and even fund restoration of ancestral houses. The table of contents and information on how to get copies of the manual can be found in the UNESCO Bangkok website.

Another UNESCO Bangkok publication I got was IMPACT: The effects of tourism on culture and the environment in Asia and the Pacific: Sustainable tourism and the preservation of the world heritage site of the Ifugao Rice Terraces, Philippines. It's quite a long title. The publication gives us a picture of what tourism has done to the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras and the communities that live there. The booklet was prepared by the Save the Ifugao Rice Terraces Movement (SITMo). And the good thing is that a complete .pdf copy can be downloaded from the UNESCO Bangkok website. You can check the e-Library of UNESCO Bangkok for more downloadable resources.

Copies of the Heritage Homeowner's Preservation Manual can be ordered from Edgar de la Cruz, City Government of Vigan, Vigan City, Philippines (E-mail: delacruz.edgar@yahoo.com; Fax: +63-77 722-8776)