30 years of manila studies
This year, presenters delivered papers on cultural heritage, urban sprawl, World War II, martial law and tourism
The Manila Studies Association marked its 30th anniversary this year with the staging of the 28th Manila Studies Conference at the Mapua University in Intramuros, Manila.
First held in 1989 with the exception in 1991, 2000 and 2001, the Manila Studies Conference is dedicated to studies on Manila in various fields such as archaeology, architecture and history.
This year, presenters delivered papers on cultural heritage, urban sprawl, World War II, martial law and tourism.
Paper presentations included “An Archaeology of Manila” by Victor Paz of the University of the Philippines-Diliman;”Las Aves de la Fuerza: Fort Santiago as an Avian Sanctuary” by Jose Alain Austria of the De La Salle — College of Saint Benilde; “Placuna Placenta: Re-visioning and Conservation of Built Heritage” in Manila by Arnulfo Dado of the National Museum;
“The Paternos of the Spanish Era: History of a Family as
History of Nation” by independent researcher Jena Marie Paterno; “Morphology of East-side Quiapo Residential Neighborhood” by Anna Christina Ealdama of the Mapua University; “Gentrification in the Sampaloc District in the City of Manila with Implications to Land Use Planning” by Sylvia
Clemente of the University of Santo Tomas;
“From the Rubbles of War: The De La Salle College, 1946-1975” by Jose Victor Jimenez of the University of Santo Tomas Graduate School; “Does Imperial Manila Justify Federalism?” by Jan Carlo Punongbayan of the
University of the Philippines; “Teaching martial law in High School” by Christina Cristobal of the Philippine Science High School;
“Humanism in the Urban Design: The Case of the City of Manila, Philippines” by Cecilia May Villanueva of the University of Santo Tomas; “The Faces and Phases of Quiapo” by Martin Emile Lopez of the Far Eastern University; and “Commemorating the Heroes of the Second World War through a Heritage Tourism Master Plan” by Felicisimo Tejuco Jr. of the University of Santo Tomas.
The two-day event held from 28 to 29 November also had a film showing of Honor: The Legacy of Jose Abad Santos, a documentary on the life of one of the greatest Filipino heroes of World War II who chose to be executed instead of collaborate with the Japanese imperial forces.
A biographical book on Abad Santos by Desiree Ann Cua Benipayo of the Philippine WWII Memorial Foundation was also made available during the last day of the conference.
The event was capped off by a tour of the newly-opened Museo de Intramuros at the reconstructed San Ignacio Church and Convent on Arzobispado Street.