Heritage conservation course for City Hall workers

CEBU, Philippines — With the start of the Heritage Conservation Course for City Hall employees, acting Vice Mayor Donaldo “Dondon” Hontiveros has reminded participants that it is not just an academic endeavor but a call to action and commitment to preserving heritage.

The course will run for 22 days where participants are expected to learn about political and economic forces that influence heritage preservation, connect with physical cultural resources, archival materials, local government bodies, and community stakeholders.

Participants are also expected to understand museum studies and the legal frameworks that guide preservation efforts among other learnings, from experts who include those coming from national agencies.

Some 80 Cebu City Hall employees and representatives from partner organizations will participate in the course, as disclosed by the City’s information office.

Participants are expected to develop a better appreciation of heritage conservation and help in efforts towards preserving Cebu City’s cultural and natural heritage.

Hontiveros, who also chairs the Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission (CHAC), hopes everyone takes their learnings by heart while stressing the goal of the activity.

“The objectives of this course are ambitious and essential. CHAC and CHAO aim to foster a deep understanding of the mechanisms that drive heritage preservation at multiple levels—local, provincial, and national,” Hontiveros added.

Hontiveros also suggests for the participants to participate as much as they can.

“As you begin your journey together, I encourage you to embrace the spirit of curiosity and collaboration. Let us explore, discuss, and challenge each other, united by a shared passion for preserving our cultural heritage,” Hontiveros said.

Architect Melva Java, CHAC commissioner, for her part, provided an overview of the course during the opening program, emphasizing its need amid modern times.

“Duna tay uniqueness sa atong heritage. Ato nang panggaon,” Java said.

Since the participants are mostly from the City government, the course has been scheduled only every Friday and Saturday of each week until its conclusion on Oct. 12. This will be a combination of lectures and field works.

Aside from the holding of the heritage conservation course, the Cebu City Arts Month also kicked off with over a dozen other activities set to take place.

The city’s arts month also honors the top Cebuano artists through the “Sugboanong Bahandi Awards”.

“I would just like to say nga kani atong mga Sugboanong Bahandi Awardees hopefully they would serve as inspiration for the younger generation to strive and to look at art not only as a fashion but perhaps something that they can rely on for their everyday sustainance. So, mao sad na atong gitan-aw,” said acting Mayor Raymond Garcia in a press conference.

Among the Cebuano artists already given due recognition include Romulo Galicano, Jose “Kimsoy” Yap, Jr., Kenneth Cobonpue, Nicholas Pacaña, Resil Mojares and the late Monsignor Rudy Villanueva. — (FREEMAN)