Villalon Authors New Book on RP World Heritage Sites
Malaya
October 2005

Some of the Philippines’ most beautiful World Heritage Sites – those cited by the UNESCO as deserving of preservation as world treasures – are now presented in a book written by heritage preservation advocate and architect Augusto "Toti" Villalon, published by ArtPostAsia, and sponsored by ING Bank in celebration of its years of operation in the country.

The book, entitled Living Landscapes and Cultural Landmarks, World Heritages Sites in the Philippines, is a welcome addition to the slender body of published works on the UNESCO sites and of particular interest to cultural workers, preservationists, historians, and scholars on the environment and heritage sites.

In his company message Manolet Salak III, Country Manager, ING Bank Philippines, pointed out that it sponsored the publication of the book to manifest its commitment to enhancing public appreciation of and the preservation of the country’s most unique and enduring landmarks and to commemorate one and a half decades of service to the country. Salak adds, "Heritage is both about permanence and change. It is also about evolution and fortitude. It is only appropriate that ING Bank, a company that has steadily made inroads to establish a reflected presence in this country, pay tribute to the structures of beauty and excellence."

Living Landscape and Cultural Landmarks documents in text – by Architect Augusto F. Villalon and pictures – by the highly-acclaimed Neal Oshima- the following UNESCO cited heritage sites in the Philippines : Historic Town of Vigan, Ilocos Sur; Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Palawan; Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park, Palawan; Rice Terraces of the Philippines Cordilleras; and the Baroque Churches of the Philippines which includes: Santo Tomas de Villanueva Church in Miag-ao, Iloilo; Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion Church in Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur; San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila; and the San Agustin Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte.

In his introduction, Villalon notes: "Our World Heritage properties represent milestones in the development of life in the universe. Natural phenomena record stages in the evolution of the world … Cultural landscapes demonstrate how the hand of man can coexist with and enhance its natural surroundings. Properties on the World Heritage List are the shared patrimony of the world."

Amb. Preciosa Soliven, Secretary General, UNESCO National Commission for the Philippines, recalls that the Philippines has been an active force in World Heritage since its term on the World Heritage Committee from 1988 to 1996. "Its sites inscribed on the World Heritage List are testimony to the national commitment to conservation," Soliven points out.

It took Architect Villalon 16 years to inscribe, document and evaluate the Philippine heritage sites featured in the book, with the cooperation of the experts from other countries.

The book was recently launched during the ING Anniversary dinner. Inquiries on the book may be forwarded to publications@artpostasia.com.