TAAL ESCUELA PIA Conservation Managemnet Plan PDF

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UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES Diliman, Quezon City College of Architecture Graduate Program Heritage, Theory, and Criticism Studio Laboratory Architectural Heritage Conservation Escuela Pia LEGACY OF A PIOUS SCHOOL IN TAAL, BATANGAS CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT PLAN By: MACUHA, KATHLENE JOY D. To: Prof. ...

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UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES Diliman, Quezon City College of Architecture

Graduate Program Heritage, Theory, and Criticism Studio Laboratory Architectural Heritage Conservation

Escuela Pia

LEGACY OF A PIOUS SCHOOL IN TAAL, BATANGAS

CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT PLAN

By: MACUHA, KATHLENE JOY D.

To: Prof. Markel Cesar A. Luna, fuap ARCH222.2 Architectural Design II 22 May 2019

CONTENTS Abstract

1

Introduction

1

a) Background of the Study

3

b) Relevance of the Study

3

c) Goals and Objective

4

d) Scope and Limitations

5

e) Methodology

5

f)

Abbreviations

6

g) Definition of terms

6

I. Understanding the Place A. Context 1. General Location

10

2. Local Setting

13

i.

Land forms

13

a) Geography

13

b) Climate

14

ii. Views and Sightlines

14

iii. Adjacent Structures

19

iv. Points of Access

20

B. Ownership 1. Owners

21

2. Other Stakeholders

21

C. Micro Culture and Patterns 1. Cultural Events in Taal Town

21

2. Products of Taal Town

22

II. History and Development A. History

23

B. Chronology of Important events relevant to the site/structure

27

C. Morphological development of the site and structure

29

1. Original Use

29

2. Evolution of form

30

3. Current use

39

D. Current physical characteristics of the structure (Architectural Documentation) 1. As-found measurements

45

2. Photo Documentation

55

III. Spirit of Place A. General Themes

73

B. Literary narrative (per Theme)

73

C. Validation

77

IV. Assessment of Significance A. Previous Assessments 1. National/Local Significance B. Criteria and Assessment per criterion Values

79 79 80 80

C. Significance of Physical Components

83

D. Comparative Analysis

87

E. Statement of Significance

90

V. Identification of Issues A. Obligations and Constraints arising from Significance

92

B. Relevant Principles and Documents

92

C. Legislation and Associated Policies

94

D. Condition Survey

103

VI. SWOT Analysis

109

VII. Formulation of Policies and Action Plans

113

ANNEXES 1. The Burra Charter Process 2. Letters 3. CCT Table 4. Taal Preservation Code 5. NHCP Basic Conservation Principles 6.

2003 ICOMOS Charter – Principles for the Analysis, Conservation and Structural Restoration of Architectural Heritage

7.

1999 Charter on the Built Vernacular Heritage

8.

1999 - International Cutltural Tourism Charter - Managing Tourism at Places of Heritage Significance

BIBLIOGRAPHY a) Interviews/ Person references b) Books c) Periodicals d) Websites/Pages LIST OF FIGURES LIST OF TABLES

MACUHA, K.J.D.

TAAL Escuela Pia CMP

Abstract Taal’s Heritage Town in Batangas Province was one of the few symbolic preserved towns of the country that represents the vibrant past of colonization in its progressive contemporary setting. The spur was the heritage conservation dilemma in the Philippine heritage structures, which played a vital role in historical studies of the past, the lack of Conservation Management Plan (CMP). The CMP will serve as the important guiding standardize document for the protection of the identified cultural values of the historical structure initially resembling to Escuela Pia in Taal, that already marked the place and Taaleños’ identity. Moreover, it may lead as a reference tool for other significant places in Taal Heritage Town. The importance of the CMP is to elaborate more the preserved momentous knowledge and significance for the awareness of the current and future generations. In order to protect the assessed significance, that exemplifies – the place itself, its fabric, setting, use, associations, meanings, records, related places and related objects1 – the strategized policies will be put into action. The author will strengthen the Escuela Pia’s authenticity of the fabric and will disseminate public awareness of its historical importance to the community through its prevailing diverse use. The voice of Taal community and stakeholders will lead to a decision of the necessary and proper redevelopment for the conservation and potential impacts in consideration to the – safety and security; authenticity and noteworthy – of the heritage structure. Keywords: Heritage Conservation, Taal Heritage Town, Conservation Management Plan, Escuela Pia, Assessment, Cultural Significance, Safety and Authenticity

Introduction In the Philippines, a prototype of a Filipino town is the municipality of Taal in Batangas Province. It is the recorded oldest town. The quaint village associates the cultural roots and national identity where to relive the colorful past. The preserved heritage town in Taal, still embraces the Filipino traditions, ancestral qualities, and historical highlights of the past and the most important aspect in which modernity blends with the remnants of the colonial grandeur of the bygone era.

1

From the Introduction of Conservation Management Plan (CMP): Managing Heritage Places, An information guide by Heritage Council of Victoria, published at Melbourne, June 2010, www.heritage.vic.gov.au. INTRODUCTION | 1

MACUHA, K.J.D.

TAAL Escuela Pia CMP

The town bears the name of said to be the smallest active volcano in the world, and is home of the largest Catholic Church in Asia. For these reasons and others besides, the town has been described as “a town of superlatives.”2

Figure 0.1. Aerial photo of Taal Volcano, taken on a Cebu Pacific flight from Manila to Dumaguete City on December 22, 2012 by Mike Gonzales

Figure 0.2. Minor Basilica of St. Martin de Tours Photo credit: P.Ranada, 2013

2

https://bluprint.onemega.com/-- May 7, 2018, Original article first appeared in BluPrint Vol 1 2014. Edits were made for Bluprint.ph. Written by Sibyl Layag and Judith Torres. Photographed by Ed Simon and John Daryl Ocampo of Studio 100. INTRODUCTION | 2

MACUHA, K.J.D.

TAAL Escuela Pia CMP

There are lots of recorded historical places in Taal that can connect to our past. The answer to our curious minds may be resolve through the modern rediscoveries and research. The study is not just to know about it, but to preserve its significance in relation to the Philippine culture and beliefs, for present state up to next generations. Moreover, the Batangueños or Taaleños already hold the thought of what they know about preservation of tangible and intangible. As well as keeping the faith and belief that the ancestors mold the essence of the vibrant town at present time. a) Background of the Study Auspiciously, through the centuries, heritage structures in Taal were preserved. In 1987, a portion of Taal declared as a National Historical Landmark.3 Within the heritage zone, the historical structures are currently lack of physical documentation and conservation management to sustain the importance of the past for future generations. The author would like to reassess the potential general significance of the town in contemporary times locally and nationally as another case of study. To begin with, it is better to know first every structure located at the heritage village. One of the initial and manageable historical structures, that the study will focus, also contribute to the town’s cultural significance is the Escuela Pia. This would be a great opportunity to gain knowledge on and enhance awareness of not only Escuela Pia, but also the Taal Heritage Town as a whole. b) Relevance of the Study Due to the heritage conservation anxieties, one of the main problems on the heritage structures nowadays is the lack of Conservation Management Plan (CMP)4. Why do we need a CMP for the chosen structure?

3

The historic and legendary Town of Taal, Batangas is a “Heritage Village” by virtue of the declaration of a porion of Taal as a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Institute (NHI) thru its Resolution No. 02 dated September 30, 1987. 4

A CMP is the principal guiding document for the conservation and management of a heritage place. It is a tool that allows owners, managers and approval authorities to make sound decisions about heritage places. A CMP identifies the heritage values – or significance – of a place, the conservation policies to be applied to protect that significance in the face of change, and a strategy through which the policies will be put into action. This guide focuses on historic places. Some places may also have natural and Indigenous heritage values. All values can be addressed within a single CMP. ~Information Guide. Conservation Management Plans: managing Heritage Places, p.4. Heritage Council of Victoria, Melbourne, June 2010 at www.heritage.vic.gov.au INTRODUCTION | 3

MACUHA, K.J.D.

TAAL Escuela Pia CMP

As an initial observation, there are already improvements made inside and outside of Escuela Pia. According to the Municipal Administration and Municipal Tourism personnel, there are only few historical records of the heritage structure. Moreover, there is no archival record of physical documentation. Engr. Matanguihan, the Municipal Engineer said that they are only doing the previous improvements on-site and based on its actual condition or survey. Probably, there are traces of as-found draft of measurements for the previous improvements, but currently not found. When there is a heritage structure with historical marker like Escuela Pia, it is important to formulate a CMP to maintain the assessed past and current significance. It will serve as a guide for future improvements and/or further study – better to understand more the place and its current condition – to preserve its cultural significance. c) Goals and Objective The formulation of CMP is to mainly and sustainably protect the assessed cultural significance of the heritage place, Escuela Pia, with the proposed conservation interventions, policies and action plans that will systematically attain from the following intentions: i. ii. iii. iv. v.

vi.

To gather significant information through various stakeholders and immediate users of the Escuela Pia. To understand the history and sequence relevance to the particular heritage place5. To know and assess its cultural significance6 by having a heritage criteria to establish a statement of significance7. To protect the cultural significance and the authenticity of Escuela Pia. To analyze the aspirations and opportunities for probable and possible solution or intervention/s to preserve the historical site with no disturbance to the authenticity and integrity of its fabric and site. To propose and develop sustainable policies that will serve as the code for the conservation approach and management considering the past and existing policies.

Heritage place means a place with recognised heritage values. ‘Place’ is defined in the Burra Charter as ‘site, area, land, landscape, building or other work, groups of buildings or other works’. A place may include components, contents (fixtures, fittings and objects), spaces and views. ~Ibid, p.6 5

Cultural significance means aesthetic, historic, scientific, social or spiritual value for past, present or future generations. Cultural significance is embodied in the place itself, its fabric, setting, use, associations, meanings, records, related places and related objects. Places may have a range of values for different individuals or groups. ~The Burra Charter, The Australia ICOMOS Charter for Places of Cultural Significance, 2013. 6

7 Statement of Significance – a succinct explanation of why a place is of heritage significance ~Information Guide. Conservation Management Plans: managing Heritage Places, p.4. Heritage Council of Victoria, Melbourne, June 2010 at www.heritage.vic.gov.au

INTRODUCTION | 4

MACUHA, K.J.D.

vii.

TAAL Escuela Pia CMP

To formulate and establish a strategic action plans and guidelines the will benefit the present and future generations.

d) Scope and Limitations The content of the conservation management plan of Escuela Pia will merely discuss the structure’s historical development, assess the value, its significant proximity and related studies in relevance to its setting as drawn from NHCP library, archival records, online research, and interviews with appropriate Municipal Administration personnel and/or local advocates but not limited to the general approach for the overall conservation management of the Escuela Pia’s vicinity and the Taal Heritage town. The study will focus on strengthening and managing of the propose policies and action plans for Esccuela Pia that will stress out the formulation of possible future intervention/s within the structure and the site. Due to time and budget constraints, this study will not be expected to obtain sufficient evidence from the perspective of a detailed engineering/structural study nor subsurface probing study. This will also depend on the extent of the Municipal permit to access Escuela Pia. Limited access or availability of archival plans and other data, as well as appropriate experts, regarding on the structure may also pose as a constraint. e) Methodology On the preparation of the CMP, the process will thoroughly comprehend the following steps taken from Victoria CMP Document: 1.

Understand the Place Site encounter Document the place and its components Research

2.

Assess Significance Define and analyse the heritage values Develop a statement of significance Define the relative significance of each component of the place

3.

Identify Issues Assess the current condition Define conservation obligations

4.

Develop conservation policies Define specific management policies INTRODUCTION | 5

MACUHA, K.J.D.

5.

TAAL Escuela Pia CMP

Prepare an action plans Establish priorities, resources and timing Establish action plan

6.

Propose Recommendations and Interventions Establish future physical conservation needs, requirements, opportunities and constraints

f)

Abbreviations CMP – Conservation Management Plan ELPASUBAT – Empanada, Longganisa, Suman sa Lihiya, Balisong, Barong Tagalog, and Tapa NHCP – National Historical Commission NHI – National Historical Institute PSA – Philippine Statistics Authority PSGC – Philippine Standard Geographic Code

g) Definition of terms Adaptation – means changing a place to suit the existing use or a proposed use. (The Burra Charter, 2003) Adaptive reuse – shall refer to the utilization of buildings, other builtstructures and sites of value for purposes other than that for which they were intended originally, in order to conserve the site, their engineering integrity and authenticity of design. (National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009) Use - means the functions of a place, including the activities and traditional and customary practices that may occur at the place or are dependent on the place. (The Burra Charter, 2003) Authenticity – based from the Nara Document on Authenticity, it is pertaining the values in conservation aspects. All cultures and societies are rooted in the particular forms and means of tangible and intangible expression which constitute their heritage, and these should be respected. Built heritage – shall refer to architectural and engineering structures such as, but not limited to, bridges, government buildings, houses of ancestry, traditional dwellings, quartels, train stations, lighthouses, small ports, educational, technological and industrial complexes, and their settings, and landscapes with notable historical and cultural significance. (National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009) INTRODUCTION | 6

MACUHA, K.J.D.

TAAL Escuela Pia CMP

Compatible use – means a use which respects the cultural significance of a place. Such a use involves no, or minimal, impact on cultural significance. Conservation – means all the processes of looking after a place so as to retain its cultural significance. (The Burra Charter, 2003) Cultural agencies – shall refer to the following national government agencies with their specific areas of responsibility: National Museum (cultural property); the National Library (books); National Historical Institute (Philippine history); National Archives (documents); Cultural Center of the Philippines (culture and the arts); and Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (language). (National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009) Cultural Significance – means aesthetic, historic, scientific, social or spiritual value for past, present or future generations. Cultural significance is embodied in the place itself, its fabric, setting, use, associations, meanings, records, related places and related objects. (The Burra Charter, 2003) Enhancement – the activities of removal or addition are characteristic of measures in support of enhancement of the heritage resource. (The Appleton Charter, 1983) Escola – another term for Escuela or School. Fabric – means all the physical material of the place including elements, fixtures, contents and objects. (The Burra Charter, 2003) Heritage – fifty (50) years old and above structure. (National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009) Heritage Advocate – refer to the person who protects the cultural significance of a built heritage. Heritage Village – preserved town having numerous of heritage structures with from the same period, same character and style. Intangible cultural heritage – shall refer to the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge and skills, as well as the instruments, objects and artifacts associated therewith, that communities, groups and individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage, such as: (1) oral traditions, languages and expressions; (2) performing arts; (3) social practices, rituals and festive events; (4) knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe; and (5) traditional craftsmanship. (National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009) Integrity - Structural and technological integrity must be respected and will require attention to performance as well as to appearance. (The Appleton Charter, 1983) INTRODUCTION | 7

MACUHA, K.J.D.

TAAL Escuela Pia CMP

Interpretation – means all the ways of presenting the culturalsignificance of a place. (The Burra Charter, 2003) Maintenance – means the continuous protective care of a place, and its setting. Maintenance is to be distinguished from repair which involves restoration or reconstruction. Nationally significant - shall refer to historical, aesthetic, scientific, technical, social and/or spiritual values that unify the nation by a deep sense of pride in their various yet common identities, cultural heritage and national patrimony. (National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009) Piarists - Religious Order founded in the 17th century by St. Joseph Calasanz (1557-1648) and dedicated to evangelize through education the children and preferably poor, therefore we prof...