USTGS-CCCPET facilitates church heritage mapping of Catarman Diocese
The Church Heritage Mapping Workshop, a significant event in the preservation of the rich cultural heritage of the church in the Province of Northern Samar, is a collaborative effort between the University of Santo Tomas Graduate School Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the Tropics (USTGS-CCCPET) and the Diocese of Catarman, initiated by Most Rev. Emmanuel Celeste Trance, Bishop Emeritus and Most Rev. Nolly Buco, the newly appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Catarman. Fr. Eduardo Dorico, the Heritage Commission In-charge and Pastoral Director, led his team in serving as the secretariat of the workshop. This effort is further supported by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church (CBCP-ECCHC) and the Provincial Government of Samar Planning and Development Office.
This project aims document and preserve the rich cultural and religious heritage of the Diocese of Catarman through a combination of face-to-face lectures and the HOME (Heritage Online Mapping Experience) Church platform, which has been specifically designed by USTGS-CCCPET to meet the documentation needs of parishes.
The Church Heritage Mapping Workshop, which took place over four (4) days from October 17-20, 2024, was a gathering of diverse minds and expertise. It was attended by priests, cultural workers, local historians, heritage mappers, and documents from the 31 parishes, mission centers, and chaplaincy. The seminar workshop’s goal was to identify, document, and analyze the cultural assets of the diocese, with the aim of preserving it for future generations. Ms. Beverly M. Bautista, Officer-in-Charge of USTGS-CCCPET, led the UST team and highlighted the vital synergy between the diocese, provincial government, and academic institutions regarding heritage preservation. She also discussed the HOME’s mechanics (heritage online mapping experience) as a tool and indispensable reference for the diocese’s future development programs.
On day 1, the plenary talks were delivered by esteemed speakers. Fr. Milan Ted D. Torralba, Executive Secretary of CBCP-ECCHC, discussed the “Church Heritage Documentation: Resources, Sources, & Process”, shedding light on a crucial aspect of heritage preservation. Msgr. Gaspar Balerite, the diocese’s Vicar General, took us on a journey through the diocese’s history, providing valuable insights. Meanwhile, Prof. Melanie Turingan, Dean of the UST Faculty of Arts and Letters, highlighted the significant role of local history in understanding the province’s humble beginning, enriching the understanding of the church’s heritage.
During day 2, John Christopher Mesana, a Thomasian alumna and faculty researcher at National University, lectured on natural heritage, the connection between nature, culture, and the church, and how it shapes cultural practices and traditions. Shifting the focus to Built Heritage, Ar. Ramil Tibayan emphasized the significance of preserving the immovable heritage that reflects architectural beauty and holds immense cultural and spiritual value. Fr. Atty. Bartolome Bascal concluded the day with a discussion on church property and inventory.
On day 3, the session continued by Ar. Tibayan explained the significance of preserving and the essential considerations of mapping movable heritage. Mr. Karl Baroro, Faculty Member of the UST College of Tourism and Hospitality Management, shared a lecture on intangible cultural heritage. He highlighted that it is an inherited tradition and contemporary practice. The third day included a lecture from Jame Monren Mercado, a faculty member of the UST-College of Tourism and Hospitality Management and coordinator of UST Sentro Turismo. He led a session on sustainable religious tourism management.
Ms. Beverly M. Bautista, OIC of USTGS-CCCPET, emphasized the concept of heritage utilization and its role in preservation, the key aspect of cultural tourism, community engagement, and education. She highlighted the economic benefits of heritage utilization to the church.
On the final day, Gov. Edwin Ongchuan attended and signed in front of the workshop participants as proof of his commitment to support ongoing cultural heritage preservation and community engagement efforts.
Next year, USTGS-CCCPET will continue to assist the Province of Northern Samar with different culture and heritage-based projects, such as massive cultural mapping and the development of the provincial museum. This engagement is set to be formalized this November through a memorandum of understanding signing.
