Understanding Cultural Heritage and its Interpretations

• Cultural heritage includes physical artifacts and intangible attributes inherited from past generations, maintained today, and passed on in the future.
• Cultural heritage is crucial for understanding history, traditions, and values, and it promotes intercultural dialogue and respect for diverse identities.
• Heritage includes monuments, sites embodying cultural, political, economic, or social history.

Interpretations of Heritage

• Heritage cultivates cultural patrimony.
• Heritage includes intellectual or spiritual legacies handed down to progeny.
• Heritage involves balancing preservation with modern realities.
• Heritage is our legacy from the past and what we pass on to future generations.

What is Heritage?

• Heritage, or "pamana," is anything of value that is worth cherishing and nurturing.
• Heritage manifests a nation's development through history and embodies its unique cultural identity.
• Culture includes behavioral patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and products of human work and thought shared within a group.
• Heritage includes legacies from the past and what is passed on individually or collectively.

Types of Heritage

• Natural heritage is the habitat of threatened species and natural sites of scientific, conservation, and natural beauty value.
• Cultural heritage encompasses ways of living, behavioral patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and shared products reflecting a group's identity.

Natural Heritage

• Natural heritage is inherited from past generations, maintained today, and bestowed for future generations.
• It encompasses the countryside, natural environment, and biodiversity.
• Natural heritage sites are important to a country's tourist industry, attracting visitors and including cultural landscapes.

Cultural Heritage

• Cultural heritage includes material traces, archaeological sites, historical monuments, artifacts, and objects significant to a community, nation, and humanity.

Tangible Heritage

• Tangible cultural heritage includes things that are stored or physically touched.
• It includes archaeological sites, historical monuments, artifacts significant to the community, a nation, and humanity.

Movable Tangible Heritage

• Movable tangible heritage includes national cultural treasures considered worthy of preservation.
• Sub-categories include ancient documents or artifacts with pre-colonial writings, archaeological materials, ethnic crafts, historical materials, paintings, sculptures, and literary works.

Immovable Tangible Heritage

• Immovable tangible heritage includes traditions and expressions passed down through generations within a community.
• Sub-categories include church complexes, colonial fortifications, mosque complexes, indigenous places of worship, modern and historical residences, structures related to industry, transportation, public works, archaeological sites, and miscellaneous structures.

Intangible Heritage

• Intangible cultural heritage Includes practices, expressions, knowledge and skills recognized by communities and groups as part of their cultural heritage.
• It involves oral traditions, performing arts, local knowledge, and traditional skills.
• Culture - Traditions (Oral and Written) include customs, values, trade, and skills.

Identity and Belonging

• Cultural heritage defines identity and gives a sense of belonging.
• It connects people to ancestors and offers a cultural framework for understanding the world.

Historical Perspective

• Cultural heritage preserves historical narratives, which allow learning from the past, avoiding mistakes, and appreciating societal progress.

Tourism and Economic Growth

• Cultural heritage sites and traditions attract tourists, which stimulates economic growth and creates jobs in the tourism industry.

Cultural Diversity

• Cultural heritage is a testament to the richness of human diversity.
• It reminds people to respect and celebrate different cultures and traditions.

Heritage Value

• Heritage value is the worth ascribed by people to a heritage resource, justifying its significance.

Types of Heritage Value

• Aesthetic value is a judgment based on the appearance of an object and the emotional responses it evokes.
• Historical value deals with past events, figures, groups, associations, trends, and movements.
• Architectural value deals with the art and science of designing and building structures or open spaces.
• Scientific value measures the importance of the data on its rarity, quality, or characteristics.
• Archeological value provides historical and scientific information based on remains.
• Social value is the sentimental value that a group or community attaches to a place.

Heritage Significance

• Heritage significance pertains to the importance, relevance, or meaning of a heritage resource to an individual or group of people.

Level of Significance

• Personal significance is a phenomenon providing specific energy or motivation to an individual.
• Local significance relates to the historical, scientific, cultural, social, archaeological, architectural, natural, or aesthetic value of an item at the local level.
• Provincial significance means it is important to the heritage of the local area or region.
• Regional heritage is important at the regional level.
• National significance comprises historic, cultural, and natural resources combining to form cohesive, nationally important landscapes.
• Global significance designates places on Earth with outstanding universal value inscribed on the World Heritage List.

World Heritage Sites in the Philippines - Built Heritage

• UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Philippines reflect a rich history weaving together stories of people, landscapes, and seascapes.
• These sites reveal the effects of natural and geological processes that shaped the region's earth history.
• They are testaments to the relationship between humans and nature, tracing back to the country's pre-colonial past.
• These sites offer insight into the Philippines' heritage as a product of its interactions with other nations and cultures.
• The World Heritage Convention celebrates the interdependence of cultural and natural diversity, showcasing human creativity and the wonders of nature.
• The Philippines embodies a unique blend of cultural and natural heritage.

Saint Augustine Church

• The Saint Augustine Church, also known as Paoay Church, is a Roman Catholic church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, Philippines.
• Completed in 1710, it features distinct architecture, especially its massive buttresses.
• The Philippine government declared it a National Cultural Treasure in 1973, and UNESCO recognized it as a World Heritage Site in 1993.
• The earliest historical record of the area dates back to 1593, becoming an independent Augustinian parish in 1686.
• The current church began construction in 1694 under Father Antonio Estavillo and was completed in 1710.
• The church was rededicated in 1896.
• Earthquakes damaged parts of the church in 1865 and 1885 but were later restored under Imelda Marcos.
• Several projects for the Paoay Church restoration were sought by government and non-government organizations.
• Ilocos Norte's local government sought the reconstruction of the church's convent in 2014.
• Restoration of the church's buttresses, walls, tower, and interior was announced in 2018.
• The church features 24 massive buttresses, about 1.67 meters (5.5 feet) thick, designed to protect the structure from earthquakes.
• The walls are built with large coral stones on the lower part and bricks on the upper levels.
• The mortar used contains sand, lime, sugarcane juice, mango leaves, leather, and rice straw, suggesting Javanese influences.
• The facade is a massive stone pediment divided by square pilasters and stringed cornices.
• The lower part of the façade is plain, while the Gothic influence is visible in the finials incorporating Chinese an Oriental elements.
• Adjacent to the façade is a three-story coral stone bell tower, built separately like a pagoda.
• Its cornerstone was laid in 1793, standing apart to protect the structure from earthquake damage.
• The bell tower served as an observation post in 1898 (used by Filipino revolutionaries) and during World War II (used by Filipino guerrillas).

Church of San Agustin

• The Church of Saint Augustine is also called the Archdiocesan Shrine and Immaculate Conception Parish.
• It is a Roman Catholic church under the Order of Saint Augustine in Intramuros, Manila.
• Completed in 1607, it is the oldest stone church in the Philippines.
• It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993 under the Baroque Churches of the Philippines.
• The Philippine government declared it a National Historical Landmark in 1976.
• The present structure is the third Augustinian church on the site.
• The first church, of bamboo and nipa, was completed in 1571 but was destroyed by fire in 1574.
• Construction began in 1586, based on a model by Juan Macías, using hewn adobe stones, with slow progress because of funds, materials, and skilled artisans.
• Designed after grand Augustinian temples in Mexico, the church, built in 1587 and completed in 1604, reflects a medieval atmosphere.
• The church has symmetrical interiors, painted with trompe l'oeil techniques including a Baroque pulpit, a grand pipe organ, an antechoir with a 16th-century crucifix, choir seats made of molave wood with ivory inlays and 16 chandeliers from Paris.
• The Binondo-Intramuros Bridge, opened in 2022, is about 550 meters (1,800 feet) from San Agustin Church.
• The WHC has expressed concerns about ground vibrations, air and noise pollution, and visual disruptions.
• Mitigations include reconsidering the bridge's location, converting nearby roads into pedestrian zones, a structural assessment of the church and adjusting the bridge's design.
• The San Agustin Church was collectively recognized, if delisted all 4 churches would lose the UNESCO Heritage status.

Church of Sto. Tomas de Villanueva

• The Santo Tomas de Villanueva Church is the fourth oldest parish in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pasig.
• First built as a big chapel in 1798, it was established as a church in 1953.
• Santolan's 200-year-old patron saint is Thomas of Villanova.
• The parish jurisdiction includes Santolan (North), Cainta, Rizal (East), Marikina River (West), Maybunga San Miguel (South).
• In 1798, the first chapel made of wood and cogon was built in Santolan.
• A second chapel made of stone, chalk, and tiles was built in 1808, the biggest chapel in Pasig.
• The parish was established on November 8, 1953, by Conrado Arciaga.
• The first parish priest, Alejandro Vermorel served from 1953 to 1956.
• The present church is a modernized structure with Art Deco design made of concrete, with roofing at the entrance door made of tiles.

Santa Maria Church (Ilocos Sur)

• The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, otherwise known as the Santa Maria Church, is the parish church of Santa Maria in Ilocos Sur.
• The church was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site on December 11, 1993, as part of the Baroque Churches of the Philippines.
• It serves as an attraction to tourists and Catholics in Ilocos Sur.
• It is a reminder of Spanish colonization and features a unique architectural design made of bricks and mortar.
• Built on top of a hill, it served as a lookout, citadel, and religious center during the early administration of friars and soldiers.
• The parish of Santa Maria started as a chapel-of-ease in 1567 of Narvacan.
• The chapel became an independent ministry in 1769 and was dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
• Located on a narrow plain, the mission at Santa Maria was the center of religious and commercial activities.
• According to legend, the Virgin Mary was enshrined at a different place and mysteriously disappeared, leading to the church's relocation to its present site.
• It was listed as one of the most endangered monuments in the world in 2010.
• The church is located on a hill unlike most Philippine town churches.
• It is surrounded by a defensive wall, resembling a fortress.
• The church is accessed via an 85-step stairway made of granite rock.
• A grand three-flight stairway leads to a courtyard in front of the church entrance, which offers a panoramic view.
• A narrow roadway at the back of the church leads to the courtyard but is used only on special occasions.
• The church brick façade has one large portal with three windows.
• The recessed arched entrance is flanked by rectangular pilasters dividing the facade into three planes.
• The facade is framed by heavy circular buttresses topped by urn-like finials.
• The church measures about 99 meters (325 ft) long and 22.7 meters (74 ft) wide.
• The church has a long single nave and thick outer walls with delicately carved entrances.
• The eastern and western outer walls are reinforced by thirteen huge rectangular buttresses, and the first buttress has a relief retelling the statue of Our Lady of Assumption was found on a tree.
• The bell tower is freestanding constructed separately and unlike to the facade with each level narrowing until it reaches the top.
• The top floor is covered by a dome that is capped by a cross.

The Historic Town of Vigan

• Vigan, established in the 16th century, is the best-preserved example of a planned Spanish colonial town in Asia.
• Its architecture reflects the blend of cultural elements from the Philippines, China, and Europe.
• Vigan is the most intact Spanish colonial town in Asia, established in the 16th century.
• The town's urban plan conforms to the Renaissance grid plan specified in the Ley de la Indias.
• Laws of the Indies included Spanish rules for town planning, trade, and local relations.
• The area contains 233 historic buildings closely strung along a grid of 25 streets.
• The Mestizo district has Spanish colonial towns tempered by Chinese, Ilocano, and Filipino influences.
• The two-story structures are built of brick and wood, reminiscent of Chinese architecture.
• The exterior walls are enclosed by sliding window panels of Capiz shells.
• Vigan is unique due to its grid street pattern and urban layout blending diverse architectural influences.
• Engineering techniques used include earthquake-resistant design with buttresses, freestanding towers, thick walls, durable materials with adobe stones, bricks, and mortar.
• Preservation efforts include structural reinforcements and urban planning.

World Heritage Sites in the Philippines - Natural Heritage

Natural Heritage

• it is natural features, geological and physiographical formations, habitats of threatened species, and natural sites of scientific value and natural beauty.
• It includes protected natural areas, zoos, aquaria, botanical gardens, natural habitats, marine ecosystems, sanctuaries, and reservoirs.
• Examples include the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park, Rice Terraces of the Philippines Cordilleras, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary.

Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park

• Also known as Tubbataha Natural Park or Tubbataha Reefs National Park.
• It is a protected area in the middle of the Sulu Sea and houses a marine and bird sanctuary.
• Consists of North Atoll, South Atoll, and Jessie Beazley Reef.
• Total area: 97,030 hectares (239,800 acres; 374.6 sq mi).
• Location: 150 km (93 mi) southeast of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, part of Cagayancillo.
• In December 1993, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• In 1999, it became a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance.
• In 2008, it was Nominated as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.
• Features a high density of marine species and harbors over 600 fish species, 360 coral species, 11 shark species, and 100 bird species.
• North Islet is used as a nesting site for birds and marine turtles features a 100-meter perpendicular wall, lagoons, and coral islands.

Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras

• Known in Filipino as Mga Hagdan-Hagdang Palayan ng Kordilyera ng Pilipinas and Ifugao as Payyo.
• It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site consisting of a complex of rice terraces on Luzon island.
• The terraces were inscribed on the on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1995.
• Ifugao Province has 5 UNESCO-Recognized Rice Terrace Sites including:
• Batad Rice Terraces (Banaue) - Known for its amphitheater-like structure.
• Bangaan Rice Terraces (Banaue) - Harmony of the Ifugao people and their environment.
• Mayoyao Rice Terraces (Mayoyao) - Features stone-walled terraces.
• Hungduan Rice Terraces (Hungduan) - Unique terraces forming a spider web-like pattern.
• Nagacadan Rice Terraces (Kiangan) - continuous terraces divided by a river system.
• The Itugao Rice Terraces features a higher altitude on steeper slopes than many other terraces incorporating stone or mud walls.
• Carved natural contours of hills and mountains form terraced pond fields with intricate irrigation systems harvesting water from the forests.
• These also incorporate an elaborate farming system integrated with the landscape.
• The site represents the Ifugao people's agricultural techniques, traditions, and way of life, preserving water and soil, supporting a variety of plants, rice varieties, and ecosystems therefore it is a touristic attraction.

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

• It is located in the western coast of the istland of Palawan and contains the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River managed by the Puerto Princesa city government since 1992.
• It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, and voted as a New7Wonders of Nature in 2012 becoming a Ramsar Wetland Site in 2012.
• It is accessed through road trips to the seaside village of Sabang takes by Bangkas (Kayaks) visitors to the park
• Environmentalists and geologists discovered the underground river has a second floor, with waterfalls in 2010.
• They also also found a cave dome measuring 300 m (980 ft) above the river, rock formations, large bats, a deep water hole, other cave, and more marine creatures.
• On November 11, 2011, the park was provisionally chosen as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.

Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary

• Located in Davao Oriental, Philippines, it has a height of 1,620 metres (5,315 ft) has a protected forest are with endangered forests.
• One of the most diverse wildlife populations with Philippine eagles and Nepenthes, some that are endemic.
• In 204, the park was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site a national park and a wildlife sanctuary in 2003
• Mount Hamiguitan is part of the Eastern Mindanao Biodiversity Corridor.

Environmental challenges in Conservation

• A risk to marine biodiversity from illegal fishing, destructive fishing methods, and increased shipping traffic, the Tubbataha Reef is protected through water patrols.
• The Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras need support due to the changes in climate change, soil erosion, and water shortages a decline of traditional maintenance.
• The PPSRNP is facing a series of significant threats to its watershed.
• Illegal logging, habitat destruction, and hunting continue threaten Mount Hamiguitan where there is wildlife.

Why Civil Engineers Should Care About Heritage Conservation

• Civil engineers help maintain the cultural significance, historical, and artistic value of heritage buildings, maintaining their identity and legacy.
• Civil engineers apply their skills to assess heritage buildings, ensuring they are up to standard.
• Civil engineers enhance the community, supporting local pride.
• Civil engineers combine traditional and modern technologies for effective solutions.

Modern Conservation Techniques

• 3D Scanning and Digital Mapping High-resolution 3D laser scanning and photogrammetry are now digitally mapping historic buildings with precision.
• Non-invasive Testing and Monitoring Such as radar, infrared thermography, and help detect issues within structures
• Advanced Materials and Techniques for Structural Reinforcement Carbon fiber, materials are being used without diminishing their historical character
• Adaptive Reuse Involves redesigning buildings to maintain cultural value.

Future Trends in Heritage Conservation

• Smart Heritage Preservation Includes sensors to monitor the condition of structures with technology advancements.
• Sustainability and Carbon Neutrality Focus of future conservation.
• Community-Driven Conservation Ensuring effort is made to engage individuals with cultural ties.

IHC Group 2 Report

What is Heritage Conservation?

• Heritage conservation safeguards cultural resources and extends their life.

Why does this matter?

• Conservation helps preserve identity, history, and economy.

Historical Evaluation of Heritage Conservation

• 1779: First Attempt to protect cultural artifacts
• 1871: Monuments bought

Cases

• 1783 - UK act
• 1973 - PD Act
• 1974 - PD Act

Organizational Act

• 1895- National trust founded
• 1999- Conservation society

Loon Church

• established by Jesuits in 1753, also known as the Church of Light.
• declared as a cultural treasure.
• suffered earthquakes and collapsed by 2013.
• restored in 2021.

Value of Heritage

• Cultural and Historical: reflect behaviour history. -Social Identity of the past.
• Social identity benefits remind society.
  • enhance belonging
• Economic and tourism benefits
  • Heritage tourism boosts jobs and business.
• Environmental Sustainability
  • Conservation is ultimate recycling -Preserves Energy

Why It Matters

• Boost environmental tourism

Threats to heritage

• Modernization to urbanization -damage or infrastructure is damage or infrastructure to heritage sites
• Globalization -loss of traditions
• Clinical natural disasters -floods
• Services -dams harm sites
• Illegal -vandalism
• Mass tourism -tourist damage
• Political social
  • war

International Organizations Conservation

• UNESCO
  • what we have today and pass on to generations
• Protect value worldwide

The Venice Charter

• standard preserving authenticity
• minimum of restoration
• past future

ICOMOS

• global NGO dedicated

• experts in history work together

• ICCROM -Organization research for training

Burra Charter

• adaptation for Venice charters include traditions

Nora Document

• recognize cultural perspectives

International guidelines on heritage Conservation

• The Venice Charter global
• define monuments
• scientific methods