ACTIVITY REPORT : HERITAGE CONSERVATION SUMMIT 2012 “ECONOMICS OF HERITAGE” Mrs. Charito Yara, a Sariayahin, an active member of the Quezon City Tourism Council and a heritage aficionado sent a letter to the Sariaya Tourism Council (STC) President Rowena Z. Masilang, inviting the STC to attend the two - day Heritage Conservation Summit 2012 on Saturday to Sunday, November 24-25, 2012, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to be held at the Batangas City Convention Center. The matter was made as part of the agenda during a meeting of the STC and after a thorough discussion, the body approved that it is advantageous to have link ups with heritage advocates, cultural workers, tourism stakeholders, government agencies and members of the academe who will be attending the said summit. Likewise, it would be in the best interest of the STC to be updated with the latest trends in the marketing of local heritage for tourism, Sariaya being an acknowledged heritage center this side of the country. Moreover, the summit would serve as a timely and opportune follow up to the educational trip that the STC would be conducting at the Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan two days prior to it. With that, the Municipal Tourism officer – Designate Grace D. Aldea was tasked with coordinating with the Heritage Conservation Society through its Secretariat online. However, since it is nearing the end of the year and the STC is concentrating its remaining budget for the preparations of one of its major activities, the forthcoming “Paskuhan sa Sariaya (Belen Festival) 2012” this December, it was agreed upon that the summit attendees would only avail of the more important program of activities on the first day, November 24th, which is the summit proper. Early on Saturday morning, the STC attendees composed of Ms. Criselda Obnial and Ms. Mariles Carlos of the Sariaya Local Government Unit, as well as STC Secretary Ruben de Gracia Jr., STC PROs Danilo de Luna and Eriberto Ricardo J. Dedace, traveled on a hired van from Sariaya to Batangas City to catch up with the registration proceedings from 7:30 – 8:30 am. Along with the other delegates, the group was warmly welcomed at the Batangas City Convention Center by the Honorable Mayor Vilma Dimacuha, and they proceeded with the registration. They saw another Sariaya delegation, the TUKLAS , led by its President Ms. Netty de Villa together with Ms. Victoria de Villa and company. They also saw Ms. Isolda S. Oca of the Sariaya Learning Center for Development who joined the TUKLAS group after a while, as well as UP College of Architecture Prof. Rene Luis Mata. He was part of the UP Sariaya Community Empowerment Research Project who did a comprehensive study on Sariaya heritage and tourism from December 2006 – December 2010.Prof. Mata is likewise the Treasurer of the Heritage Conservation Society and was scheduled to talk about the “History and Restoration of the Bahay Ni Ka Tonying” during a tour of the Acosta – Pastor House later in the afternoon. The STC group along with the other delegates, was likewise given the seminar kits enclosed in brown eco bags, Batangas City being a known plastic free zone area like Sariaya. And from the registration roster, they were likewise given laminated Identification Cards to be hanged on the neck. The program started late, at about 9:30 am with the singing of the Philippine National Anthem followed by the welcome remarks of Mayor Vilma Dimacuha, as well as the opening remarks of Mrs. Gemma Cruz - Araneta, the Chairperson of the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS). Next came a comprehensive film showing on Batangas City and its rich cultural heritage, then two power point presentations, the “Summit Goals and Expected Outcomes” by EnP. Nathaniel von Eisiedel, the President of the HCS, and “The Economics of Heritage Conservation” by Atty. Mark Evidente, the President of the Two Eco, Inc. Then, an Open Forum served as the recess of the proceedings wherein a number of summit delegates approached a microphone located at the foot of the stage and asked their personal queries to the speakers concerned. Then, the “Report on the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP)” by Chairperson Ma. Seren Diokno, and that of the “National Museum (NM)” by its Director Jeremy Barns followed. Another Open Forum ensued after which the delegates were asked to fall in line at the two long buffet tables at both sides of the stage. The delicious and hearty lunch consisted of Rice, Pork Adobo, “Green Mango-Tomato-Eggplant - Salted Egg Ensalada” with orange “alamang” gravy, “Beef Bulalo”, big “Lakatan” Bananas plus pineapple and watermelon slices for dessert. Ice cold water and soda in cans served by waiters rounded up everything. While everybody was enjoying the great meal, a gentleman announced from the communication booth that the delegates who are interested in joining the Batangas City and Taal town heritage tours for the following day, November 25th, should register at the reception area. The afternoon session opened with “Batangas City’s Heritage Conservation Initiatives” though its supposed presenter, Mr. Edgardo V. Borbon, Vice Chair of the Batangas City Cultural Affairs Committee was not round because he was abroad, so another gentleman spoke and presented on his behalf. The program proceeded with a succession of more power point presentations like “BPO@Escolta” by Arch. Dominic Galicia, “Ayala Land, Inc.’s Heritage Conservation Initiatives” by Arch. Joel Luna, Vice President Ayala Land, Inc. and ”Orchid Garden Suites: A 16 – Year Economic case Study of Adaptive Reuse” by Mr. Simon Paterno, former President of the “Development Bank of the Philippines”. Thereafter, another Open Forum was made followed by a coffee break. Three reportings were done thereafter . . . the ”Report of the Heritage Conservation Society” by Arch. Manolo Noche, Corporate Secretary of the HCS, the “Report of ICOMOS Philippines” by Arch. Augusto F. Villalon, President of ICOMOS Philippines” and the “Report of the HCS Batangas Chapter”. The last comprehensive open forum of the day was commenced thereafter, and then, the closing remarks was given by Mr. Ivan Henares, Vice President of the HCS. With that, the STC group left for Sariaya while those who opted to stay overnight and avail of the next day’s heritage tours proceeded to wind up the rest of the day with the adjournment to the old residence of Batangueño heritage aficionado and concert pianist Atty. Antonio Pastor for a house tour, a concert and dinner. They stayed either at the Hotel Pontefino or the Days Hotel for the night. Prepared by : ERIBERTO RICARDO J. DEDACE PRO Sariaya Tourism Council
Posted on: Sat, 16 Nov 2013 03:01:13 +0000
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