The Vigan Heritage Homeowner’s Preservation Manual was launched by the city government on October 6 in a simple ceremony but replete with symbolism. The event was made under the roof of one of the best preserved ancestral homes, the Donato Heritage House, thru the graciousness of the present owner , Ms. Ma. Victoria P. Donato.
Important personalities who could be said to be the progenitors of the book along with Mayor Eva Marie S. Medina were on hand at the coming out of the book. Dr. Richard Engelhardt and Engr. Ricardo Favis of UNESCO flew in from Bangkok, Thailand for the launching which coincided also with the UNESCO National Workshop of World Heritage Site Managers. Each participant was given a copy of the book which will serve to guide them in their own heritage conservation work. Architect Fatima Rabang, Dean Maryrose Rabang and Dr. Gilbert Arce represented the University of Northern Philippines (UNP). The United Architects Association of the Philippines (UAAP) was also well represented.
The series of Homeowner’s Preservation Manuals ( Vigan is the 4th) published by UNESCO was “developed within the framework of the UNESCO program on ‘Integrated Community Development and Cultural Heritage Site Preservation in Asia and the Pacific’ (LEAP Program) which aims to encourage participation of local communities in the management and conservation of their site in a manner that provides them with socio-economic benefits, while safeguarding the site and maintaining social and cultural traditions intact.”