PH Consulate General in Sydney Conducts Lecture on PH Cultural Heritage Sites

SYDNEY, 06 June 2023 – In celebration of the Philippine National Heritage Month in May with this year’s theme of “Heritage: Change and Continuity,” the Philippine Consulate General in Sydney conducted a lecture on Philippine Heritage Sites in collaboration with Architect Alver P. Remolar on 30 May 2023 at the Consulate General’s Bulwagang Rizal.

Mr. Remolar discussed Republic Act No. 10066 or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 mandating the conservation and promotion of cultural heritage sites. He also underscored the need to preserve these sites, not only as tourist attractions that generate income for the country, but also for the succeeding generations and serve as important parts of the identity, pride, and craftsmanship of Filipinos. 

In her remarks, Philippine Consul General to Sydney Charmaine Rowena C. Aviquivil highlighted the Philippine Consulate General’s goal of “bring(ing) about appreciation for Philippine cultural heritage sites and structures... to preserve our heritage and culture, especially among second and third generation Filipinos.” 

She added that the Philippines has a rich heritage that are evident in folk dances and songs, festivals, textiles, food, language, and traditions, among others. In addition, there are three Philippine cultural sites inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List, which are the (1) four Baroque churches located in Manila, Santa Maria, Paoay and Miag-ao; (2) Vigan City in Ilocos Sur; and (3) the Rice Terraces in Cordilleras. 

Every month of May, National Heritage Month (NHM) is celebrated pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 439, series of 2003, which recognizes the need to create among Filipinos a consciousness, respect, and love for the legacies of Filipino cultural history and raise awareness on the protection of tangible and intangible heritage. 

Mr. Remolar is a registered architect in the Philippines and a recipient of the Australia Awards Scholarship, currently taking up Master of Interaction Design, Data Analytics track at the University of Technology Sydney. END 

For more information, visit https://www.sydneypcg.dfa.gov.ph/, https://www.facebook.com/PHLinSydney, or https://www.instagram.com/phlinsydney/.