Towns & Cities scrutinized on Nov. 9
Many of us take for granted how and why our hometowns came about and where these were originally located. You can satisfy your curiosity at the conference about "Philippine Towns & Cities: Reflections of the Past , Lessons for the Future."
This is the second in the series of "Towns & Cities" conferences organized by the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS) in cooperation with Urban Partnerships Foundation (UPF). The Instituto Cervantes (IC) and the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) are among the sponsors.
The 2007 "Towns & Cities" conference will be held in Iloilo City upon the invitation of the Iloilo City Government which is the official host. Because of its spectacular heritage structures, Iloilo City is an excellent venue.
"Towns & Cities" will be held on November 9 at the Kalantiao Hall of the prestigious Sarabia Manor Hotel in Iloilo City. Registration will begin at 8 in the morning; the conference is expected to adjourn at 5 pm.
The "Mayors' Forum" is a much-awaited feature of the conference. It is a stimulating exchange of "best practices" and conservation policies by Mayors who have heritage resources in their towns and cities. In the 2006 Forum, Mayors Ferdinand Medina (Vigan) and Oscar Rodriguez (San Fernando, Pampanga) explained how they approved city ordinances to balance modernization with heritage conservation. Mayor Rex Bernardez of Bucay, Abra , a heritage "convert" vowed to protect with proper legislation the ruins of a Spanish fort in Bucay.
This year's forum will be very lively as the following mayors have already confirmed attendance: Jerry Treñas (Iloilo), Danilo Mindanao (San Juan, Batangas), Rosauro Masilang (Sariaya, Quezon), Jose Montelibano (Silay), Oscar Tetangco, Jr. (Apalit), Canuto Oreta (Malabon) and Celso Lobregat (Zamboanga)
Seven case studies will be presented by: Engr. Jose Peñalosa (Iloilo); Profs. Floro Quibuyen (Apalit), Icelle Estrada (Zamboanga), Victoria de Villa (Sariaya) and Jaime Veneracion (19th Century Estates); and Archs. Leon Mayo (San Juan), N. von Einsiedel (Silay) and Richard Bautista (Malabon and Navotas),
For more information about seminar fees, please call Dorie Soriano (HCS) 521 2239; telefax 522 24 97; EM info@heritage.org.ph , Ms Len Diňo (UPF) tel 895 1812/ 896 1902, EM annalynn.upf@gmail.com or Ms. Vivian Taparo (Iloilo Tourism Office) 033 3372172, EM benitojimena@yahoo.com.