February 23, 2019

Jan Dominic T. Umengan

Cagayan State University

Dear Sir Umengan,

CONGRATULATIONS!

You have been invited as a trainee in the advocacy project titled, “PAMANA: The
National Training on Heritage Conservation.” This will be held on March 1-3, 2019 at
the Kaisa Heritage Center, Intramuros, Manila from 8:00 in the morning until 5:00
in the afternoon.

THE UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS (UST UNESCO) CLUB is an organization fosters

peace and implements projects that are anchored in education, human, natural, and social
sciences, culture, and information and communication. This is to contribute in
the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Guided by the principles, mission, and vision of UNESCO— where CULTURE is the
core of its advocacies and heart of the Sustainable Development Goals— it is
the significance of advocacy that the organization conducts a Heritage Conservation
Training among the youth and heritage advocates of the country. This project is titled,
“PAMANA: The National Training on Heritage Conservation.” This is an advocacy
project that promotes “Cultural Life, Expression, and Rootedness for All, and raise
awareness regarding cultural heritage, and has as its main objectives of protecting,
conserving, and promoting the Philippine cultural heritage for its enhancement for local
development. After all, UNESCO determines the qualifications for World Heritage Sites.
Moreover, it seeks to gather support in the implementation of the rules where
“promoting, conserving, and protecting the heritage,” is at its heart.

Indeed, this project aims to gather support from notable and specialized individuals,
advocate groups and the youth of the country. This is to raise awareness and teach
the people in the protection and conservation of the Philippine Culture and Heritage.

Among the cultural heritage sites of the country, Intramuros, the Walled City of the
Philippines, inhabit a distinct place. Therefore, Intramuros is the key place to conduct,
“PAMANA: The National Training on Heritage Conservation.” The International Council on
Monuments and Sites of the Philippines (ICOMOS) described Intramuros as the “historical
cultural heart and soul of the Philippines.” This is because it is a historical symbol
that survived and sustained for four centuries in the long struggle and
achievement of
Philippine Independence during the Spanish colonial rule over 300 years. Regardless
of colonial rule, at its most embellishment, Intramuros was mirroring Philippine baroque.

In the case of Manila Prince Hotel v. Government Service Insurance System, et

al. (1997), it declared that “we are not talking about an ordinary piece of property in
a commercial district. We are talking about a historic relic that has hosted many of the most
important events in the history of the Philippines as a nation.” Similarly, the heritage sites
of Intramuros and other Philippine cultural heritage sites, are not merely properties that
are movable and withdrawn, but are treasures that represent the Filipino
identity. Therefore, “it has become truly a reflection of the Filipino soul - a place with a
history of grandeur, a most historical setting that has played a part in the shaping of a
country.”

To fulfill our organization’s objectives, mission, and vision, we humbly request

of your participation in this training. We believe that your invaluable contribution as
trainee and advocate will complement the accomplishment of this project.

Have a great day ahead! Thank you and God bless!

For the Philippine Cultural Heritage

and the Filipino People,