The Baton-Lagip Lecture Series on Culture, Governance, and Gender was successfully launched on October 28 as part of the year-long celebration of the 10th anniversary of the College of Public Administration, with the theme “Praxis in Heritage Preservation: Local Governments’ Best Practices and Legacies” at the UNP Auditorium.

The lecture-series was launched with the cooperation of the Bachelor of Public Administration 3A under PA 110: Cultural Heritage Governance class, CPAd Perspective, and the Master of Public Administration major in Culture-Based Governance program, with the guidance of Dr. Society V. Salcedo, the subject instructor, adviser of the said publication, and MPA-CBG program head.

Aimed to highlight the importance of heritage preservation in understanding, appreciating, and protecting our collective past, culture, and identity, the first iteration of the series presented the initiatives of local government units and the vital role of communities in creating unique practices that have transformed governance focused on heritage and people.

CPAd Dean Joselito D. De la Rosa welcomed the participants, highlighting the significance of the event in the attainment of the SDGs as well as the University’s vision and mission, which are aligned with the preservation of heritage. He also emphasized the importance of one’s culture. He quoted Mahatma Gandhi who said that “A nation’s culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people.”

He likewise reminded the participants of the importance of upholding our culture while acknowledging the need for improvement in certain areas, such as the concept of Filipino time. He urged everyone to adopt a “CPAd time,” which is to be on time.

The first speaker, Mr. Richie Gielbys B. Cavinta, senior tourism operations officer of San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, discussed “Empowering Communities in Preserving San Nicolas’ Cultural Heritage.” He shared the unique governance practices of San Nicolas in preserving its heritage, which led to numerous awards and recognitions from various national government agencies and award-giving bodies such as Galing Pook and the Department of Tourism.

He highlighted the sisterhood between San Nicolas and Vigan and emphasized that Vigan served as a model for San Nicolas’ cultural heritage programs. The vital role of cultural mapping and the involvement of various stakeholders, including youth, teachers, and communities, led to multi-awarded research-based cultural projects.

One such project, “Idiay Circulo, Batog ti Buabobuabo,” focused on the old local artisan pumpwell situated beside the roundabout in the town proper, which once served as the source of water for the San Nicolenos and now serves as a museum.

Mr. Eugene Manzano, administrative officer and writer of the City Government of Vigan, who is actively involved in various cultural heritage programs of Vigan and also a Master of Public Administration major in Culture-based Governance student, shared “The Heritage Conservation Program of Vigan City.”

He emphasized the city’s efforts to protect, conserve, and preserve its heritage, primarily through the Vigan Master Development Plan and Ordinance No. 14, Series of 1997, which provides guidelines for the conservation of the Historic Town of Vigan. This masterplan paved way for Vigan to prosper as a humble municipality into a thriving component city, a prime tourist destination in the country, a World Heritage Site, and one of the Seven Wonder Cities of the World.

Ar. Christian Nico Pilotin of the Engineering Office and Heritage Conservation Division of the City Government of Vigan, also an MPA-CBG student, further discussed “The Vigan City Heritage Conservation Experience.” He focused his presentation on the typology of Vigan ancestral houses and the Vigan Conservation Code. He underscored the plans of Vigan in sustaining its cultural heritage amid globalization and asserted how serious Vigan City government is, in its cultural heritage preservation and protection efforts.

Both Manzano and Pilotin emphasized that the Vigan City Master Plan is the framework that revitalizes the history of Vigan. Ordinances were enacted to put in place implementing mechanisms for the program, including the creation of core and buffer zones in the historic district of Calle Crisologo to regulate urbanization and the creation of the multi-sectoral Vigan Conservation Council, to name a few.  

They also added that rehabilitated ancestral houses are now used as souvenir shops, restaurants, and hotels, enhancing the city’s tourism program. Other infrastructures and projects are in place to support the conservation program. Among them are potable water systems, integrated water systems, fisheries projects, food processing and metal craft, health and sanitation, master plan projects, and solid waste management. These have helped develop Vigan as a major tourist destination and a center of culture and trade.  

The lecture concluded with closing remarks from Dr. Salcedo. She emphasized the invaluable learning opportunities provided by the event and encouraged students to actively engage in cultural heritage preservation efforts. She challenged them to share the responsibility of ensuring that the collective memory and identity of the past will be handed down to future generations. This could take place within homes and respective communities, where praxis at the grassroots may thrive.

Added to the success of the event were a video presentation showcasing a heritage walk along Calle Crisologo and visits to various cultural landmarks in Vigan City. A cultural performance of the La Jota Ilocana, displaying the fusion of Spanish and Filipino cultures, was performed by the BPA 3A students and caught the interest of the participants. This performance depicts the Ilocandia’s rich cultural heritage.

Article by Darwin Tumbaga and Marianne Perez.