Above, under & beyond the rainbow: When Heritage Becomes More Than Words

It was a hot day (as usual here in the Philippines during summer season) and arriving at the venue of the day’s event, I was quite thankful for the coolness of the hall where the discussion regarding conservation heritage was to take place. This event is actually part of the National Heritage Month celebration, an event set by the Heritage Conservation Society, National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA )and partnered with the Far Eastern University through its President’s Committee on Culture (PCC-FEU).

As the attendees slowly trickled in the room, I took the chance to observe and was able to chit-chat with one of the people behind the partner organization for the afternoon talk which was the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS). The HCS is a group of individuals with diverse occupational scope but joined together in the task of making people know and take action in the conservation and preservation of what is and can be considered built heritage.

Ok, I will not go on a technical discussion on what heritage, built, and all things connected with it for one, I am not an expert. Two, I don’t have the experience and know-do on this things. Three, I came there to listen and see where it is all going for. One thing is for sure, I learned things that day that made me reevaluate and reassess how I view old and so-called meaningful sites in the country. It was half a day of learning and true enough, it has achieved its goal – in my opinion.

Ms. Liliane Rejante Manahan, HCS Chairperson

Welcoming us attendees that day were Mr. Martin Lopez, Director of PCC-FEU and Ms. Liliane Rejante Manahan, HCS Chairperson. It was a good crowd coming-in for it was a blend of young and the dynamically young – all with diverse reasons for being there. The actual session is divided into three parts, namely: (1) a basic understanding of what heritage is and what the Heritage Law is about – covered by HCS President, Atty. Mark Evidente; (2) the present technological phase of heritage sites documentation by one of the society’s Board of Trustee and President of Digiscript, Inc (Mr. David Alampay); and lastly a walkabout in FEU – this 91 year old declared heritage structure – by Mr. Martin Lopez. What can be initially envisioned as a long and possible dragging afternoon, turned out to be an afternoon of intellectual enjoyment capped with a moment of music in its newly retrofitted auditorium.

Mr. David Alampay (Digiscript, Inc. President), Ms. Liliane Rejante Manahan
and Atty. Mark Evidente (HCS President)

In my humble opinion, this type of learning activity should be made easily available in all schools – private and public, city and provincial alike. Why do I say so? For if the society is aiming for continuity in the decades to come and volunteerism is a strong factor in its present operational condition, the status of built sites – presumed and considered heritage, this activity knowing the Heritage Law is a good fire starter in the hearts of the youths who will possibly continue its mission. When I say easily available I meant free. Now a talk-discussion with working individuals connected or not to a built site is a separate activity and can be considered sponsored or with paying attendees thus funding can be made for future activities. What about those tagged as “masa”- the common people or grass roots? For them a specialized themed discussion is needed to be planned and set. They will not be concerned if a building gets torn down, as long as they get to have a job, shelter and food on the table- basic necessities. But if the discussion on heritage conservation can show how it will affect their basic needs on a positive note, then you have a force that will police them in the act of preserving a site.

Marami tayong hindi pa alam tungkol sa isang heritage site. Ano ang presumed at ano ang declared? Ano ang “relevance to all and relevance to a specific group/individual alone”? At hindi natin malalaman ito hangga’t hindi tayo ang apektado o maaapektohan. Tama o hindi?

Continual education is the key in keeping the fire of proper drive for heritage conservation. Knowing what is relevant and important to the majority is the seed from which the fire of conservation will spark strongly. Mind guided by the heart and heart kept in check by the mind is the proper way of keeping things in perspective when it comes to preservation and conservation. I believe (pageant mode), that culture and history is not just for the rich and able but for all. Hindi lang siya pang mayaman kundi para sa lahat na may yaman dito, aka TAYO.

From what I gathered, conservation groups aims to create educated and informed individuals and not emotionally-driven fanatical – again this is just my opinion on things. Mahirap na. Mabuti ng malinaw at baka mategi pa sa nasasabi.

I stepped into FEU grounds with the sun still shining and stepped out with the stars already shining in its usual dark back-draft. One thing is for sure, it was tiring but enjoyable plus I learned something new . . .that is the most important part, learning something new (daily or not) in your life and society. Thank you NCCA, PCC-FEU and HCS! A special thanks goes to Mr. Joselito Tolentino for paving the way for us his media family for an afternoon such as that one.

FEU's Arts and Architecture