UST SUMMIT ADVANCES CHURCH HERITAGE CONSERVATION

THE University of Santo Tomas (UST) is hosting the National Summit of Church Archives and Heritage Workers starting May 8, to May 11, 2024, at the Multi-Function Room, 8th Floor, Buenaventura García Paredes OP Building.

The summit has invited diocesan and religious archivists, parish secretaries, diocesan chancellors, and religious congregation secretaries, those appointed and directly involved in archiving roles, to participate in an academic and professional capacity-building event aimed toward the conservation of church archival heritage.

It will reorganize the Society of Ecclesiastical Archivists of the Philippines (SEAP) membership from around the nation; reinforce the involvement of the archdiocese, dioceses, religious archivists, parish secretaries and records custodians in the implementation and fulfillment of the Church records preservation; discuss existing practices and explore the pivotal role of archivists and heritage workers; and provide knowledge and skills in managing the Church's cultural heritage records.

National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Chairman Victorino Manalo graced the event and delivered a special message.

On the first day of the summit on Wednesday, UST Faculty of Civil Law Dean Nilo Divina delivered the keynote address on "Intellectual Property Law – Applicable to Ecclesiastical and Archival Record and Domain," Prof. Regalado Trota José discussed "The Status Quo of the Catholic Church Heritage in the Philippines," and Commission on Cultural Heritage Executive Secretary Fr. Milan Ted Torralba tackled "Archives and Canon Law."

Archdiocese of Manila Chancellor Fr. Isidro Marinay spoke on "The Interplay of the Work of Diocesan Chancellors, Parish Secretaries and Archivists," while NCCA National Committee on Archives head Emma Muñoz-Rey led the "Panel Discussion on Government Archives, Jacklyn Joyce Delgado from the National Archives of the Philippines and Vilma Rodriguez from the Senate of the Philippines Archives.

Also included were lectures from Fr. Jonas Awayan of the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, who headed the discussion on Diocesan Archives.

Meanwhile, Sr. Wilma Bumangabang, OP from the St. Catherine of Siena Archives, Fr. Mervin Lomague, OP from the Dominican Archives, and Fr. Nestor Impelido from the Salesian Archives jointly discussed the topic of Religious Archives and Family Search Philippines field relations manager Felvir Ordinario spoke about "The Impact and Issues of Genealogy Project of the Church of Jesus Christ."

Capping off the first day of the event was a Eucharistic Celebration at the Santísimo Rosario Parish presided by the Archivo de la Universidad de Santo Tomas Acting Archivist Fr. Gaspar Sigaya, OP.

Lectures for Thursday, May 9, include "Ethics and Accountability in the Management of Archives and Records Management" by Ateneo de Manila University Archives Director Asst. Prof. Francis Navarro, followed by "Development of Archives and Records Management Profession and Training in the Philippines" by the Board for Librarians Chairman Yolanda Granda and "Data Privacy for Ecclesiastical Documents" by the executive assistant for the Office of the UST Secretary-General Emmanuel Batulan.

A tour of the UST facilities, including the oldest school-based museum in the country, the UST Museum and its laboratory, the Archivo de la Universidad de Santo Tomas (AUST), and the Antonio Vivencio del Rosario UST Heritage Library, comprise the afternoon session.

Day 3 activities include lectures by the UST Prefect of Libraries Fr. Angel Aparicio regarding the Antonio Vivencio del Rosario UST Heritage Library, "Disaster Resilience and Post-Disaster Recovery for Cultural Heritage" by UST College of Tourism and Hospitality Management academic staff Karl Baroro, and "Sustainability in Conservation in the Philippine Setting" by Okada Manila records specialist Lulu del Mar.

A workshop on Archives management conducted by del Mar, Jocelyn Marcos and the AUST staff follows a Eucharistic Celebration with Fr. Harold Rentoria, OSA, as presider, and the Fellowship Night.

For the fourth and final day of the summit, the Assistant to the UST Rector for Information and Communications Technology Asst. Prof. Jerralyn Padua will deliver a lecture on "Parish Registry Portal: E-Records Management of Sacramental Books," while AUST Acting Archivist Fr. Gaspar Sigaya and SEAP Secretary Marcos will lead the "SEAP Moving Forward Workshop and Planning" session.

Concluding the four-day National Summit will be a concelebrated Mass with Dumaguete Bishop Julito Cortes as the main presider and homilist.

Email [email protected] for more information.

2024-05-08T16:20:23Z dg43tfdfdgfd