On May 20, 2021, Benilde Arts Management, in partnership with the San Sebastian Basilica Conservation and Development Foundation and with support from the National Commission of Culture and Arts (NCCA), will virtually host Beyond the Basilica: Heritage Conservation and Appreciation bringing together different practitioners to discuss cultural heritage, its preservation and appreciation. In reference to the 400th year anniversary of the San Sebastian Basilica, a historic all-steel metal church in Quiapo, Manila, the event aims to encourage Filipinos to support their campaign for continuing preservation and discuss the place of cultural heritage in our current times.
Three cultural practitioners from different fields will lead the discussion: Prof. Brenson Andres is a current research student at the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies and former Social Studies Department Head in the University of the Philippines Integrated School. His experiences in social studies pedagogy and research bring insight to his talk on Heritage Appreciation in K-12 Social Studies: A Glimpse into the Curriculum and Pedagogy. Ar. Harvey Vasquez is a licensed architect in the Philippines with 16 years of experience ranging from renowned local firms to international offices servicing a wide range of projects. Both his extensive knowledge on architecture and his expertise as head of STUDIO N0W emerge in his discussion on Best Practices in Heritage Architecture and Conservation: Architectural Documentation. Samantha Pacardo is the Communications and Fundraising Officer of the San Sebastian Basilica Conservation and Development Foundation, Incorporated. Her work overseeing the Foundation’s social media, press, and public programming guides her talk on Empowering Your Online Community: The #SaveSanSebastian Campaign During Quarantine.
Additionally, the San Sebastian Basilica Foundation’s Education Head Ysabel de Dios will be facilitating a digital immersive tour of the San Sebastian Basilica church created together with The International Council on Monuments and Sites Philippines(ICOMOS) and CyArk. Using an accurate 3D model of the Basilica created through photogrammetry, layered with information and videos of a Recollect friar, this digital offering allows people around the world to experience the Basilica and understand why we need to save this piece of Filipino heritage. Moderating the
discussion will be Alain Zedrick Camiling, current Chairperson of the Arts Management Program and the organisation adviser of Benilde Arts Management. He pioneered Bank of the Philippine Islands’ Arts Education Program through BPI Foundation in 2018 working on its art collection, museums, and programs. In 2020, he co-led the artistic direction of X+ Platform’s coloring zine for kids entitled “Pigments: Coloring with Philippine culture and heritage”.
Heritage enthusiasts, teachers, and students alike will be introduced to several ways of seeing and interacting with Philippine cultural heritage through Beyond the Basilica: Heritage Conservation and Appreciation. Through this event, BeAM hopes to create a deeper appreciation of cultural heritage as well as highlight the discipline that continues to persist despite the global pandemic.
Beyond the Basilica: Heritage Conservation and Appreciation takes place on Zoom and Facebook Live on May 20, 2021. It will be hosted by BeAM members Shaine Serrano and Angel Stinson.
This online event is free and open to the public. Registration is open until May 19, 2021 through bit.ly/BeAMBTB.
Stay updated with the event through the following channels: