Ustgs-Cccpet

𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐏𝐄𝐓 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡
Newsletter on Heritage Conservation and Sustainable Development of the University of Santo Tomas Graduate School – Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the Tropics (USTGS-CCCPET)

In celebration of National Heritage Month, the University of Santo Tomas Graduate School – Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the Tropics (USTGS–CCCPET) proudly launches CCCPET Dispatch, the official newsletter of the Center dedicated to documenting and sharing initiatives, research, fieldwork, partnerships, and stories on heritage conservation, cultural sustainability, environmental stewardship, and community engagement.

Serving as a platform for knowledge exchange, documentation, and public engagement, CCCPET Dispatch reflects the Center’s continuing commitment to action research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and sustainable development in the service of cultural heritage and communities.

The title “Dispatch” reflects the Center’s dynamic, field-oriented work. Traditionally associated with reports and communications sent from the field, the term captures CCCPET’s active engagement across research, conservation practice, capacity-building programs, community initiatives, institutional partnerships, and heritage advocacy. Constantly moving between sites, communities, academic spaces, and collaborative networks, the Center serves not only as a research and conservation institution but also as a hub for dialogue, action, and knowledge exchange in cultural heritage and sustainable development.

𝑳𝑰𝑲𝑯𝑨𝑵𝑮 𝑲𝑨𝑴𝑨𝒀: 𝑻𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒏 𝑻𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑰𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝑯𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑪𝒓𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑯𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝑬𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑰𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 is a capacity-building program that empowers educators to integrate Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSP) into teaching and learning through culturally responsive and community-based approaches. Conducted in celebration of National Heritage Month 2026, the training aims to strengthen cultural education, promote appreciation of indigenous creative traditions, and support the safeguarding of Philippine cultural heritage through higher education.

The program is organized by the UST Graduate School – Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the Tropics (USTGS-CCCPET), in collaboration with the UST College of Fine Arts and Design (CFAD), the UST Graduate School – Center for Continuing Professional Education and Development (CCPED), and the UST Museum.

This initiative is supported by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through Likhang Filipino, the Design Center of the Philippines (DCP), the Asia Pacific Higher Education Network for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (APHEN-ICH), and the Museo ng Kaalamáng Katutubò (MusKKat).

LIMITED SLOTS ONLY. REGISTER NOW!

📣 PROGRAM RESCHEDULE ANNOUNCEMENT

The USTGS-CCCPET announces the rescheduling of the program launch:

🎓 UP-GRADE: Introducing the Doctor of Philosophy in Cultural Heritage Studies

Originally scheduled on April 18, 2026, the program launch has been moved to April 25, 2026 (Saturday).

This adjustment is due to the implementation of the Enriched Virtual Mode of the University of Santo Tomas in response to the series of transport strikes, which limited the preparation time necessary for onsite arrangements.

📅 New Date: April 25, 2026 (Saturday)
⏰ Time: 7:30 AM – 12:00 NN
📍 Venue: Seminar-Workshop Rooms (SWR 1–5), Thomas
Aquinas Research Complex, University of Santo Tomas

We appreciate your understanding and continued support as we prepare to formally launch the Doctor of Philosophy in Cultural Heritage Studies—a milestone initiative in advancing heritage leadership, research, and professional practice in the Philippines and beyond.

PROGRAM LAUNCH

🎓 UP-GRADE: Introducing the Doctor of Philosophy in Cultural Heritage Studies

The University of Santo Tomas Graduate School proudly announces the launch of the Doctor of Philosophy in Cultural Heritage Studies — the only academic-track doctoral program in the Philippines offering a multidisciplinary and integrative approach to heritage conservation and management.

Anchored at Philippine Qualifications Framework (PQF) Level 8, the program prepares advanced heritage professionals equipped with expertise in research, documentation, conservation, policy development, and sustainable development. It aligns with UNESCO’s recognition of culture as the “Fourth Pillar” of Sustainable Development and the ASEAN Heritage Professionals Competency Framework.

📅 Program Launch: Saturday, 18 April 2026
📍 Venue: Seminar-Workshop Room (SWR) 1–5
Thomas Aquinas Research Complex
University of Santo Tomas
🕖 Time: 7:00 AM – 12:00 NN

📌 Registration Deadline: 15 April 2026

Join us in advancing heritage leadership, research, and sustainable cultural stewardship for the Philippines and beyond.

🔗 Scan the QR code to register.

𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗿 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸’𝘀 𝗨𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗖𝗢 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

A newly published scientific study in the international peer-reviewed journal ZooKeys provides important scientific evidence supporting the nomination of the Samar Island Natural Park (SINP) to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The research documents updated records of amphibians and reptiles within the park, including rediscoveries and new species records that highlight the site’s exceptional biodiversity and ecological significance.

The publication contributes to demonstrating the Outstanding Universal Value of the Samar Island Natural Park, recognized as one of the largest remaining tracts of old-growth forest in the Philippines and a critical habitat for endemic and threatened species. Scientific documentation of this nature is essential in strengthening the technical basis for international recognition and long-term conservation.

The project was mobilized in 2021 by the University of Santo Tomas – Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the Tropics (CCCPET) in collaboration with the University of Santo Tomas College of Science and scientists from various academic institutions. Acting as a coordinating institution, CCCPET facilitated the organization of field research activities and strengthened collaboration among scientists, government agencies, and local stakeholders.

Among the members of the research team were academic staff and researchers including Mae Lowe L. Diesmos, Yñigo Luis C. del Prado, Paulo Miguel M. Kim, Niño Andree Louis E. Caguimbal, Russell Evan L. Venturina, Antonio N. Lorenzo II, and Arvin C. Diesmos, whose contributions formed part of the broader interdisciplinary effort to document the biodiversity of the park.

The project was fully funded by the Provincial Government of Samar, with support from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region VIII.

This milestone underscores the importance of research-based partnerships in safeguarding nationally significant landscapes and advancing the Philippines’ natural heritage toward global recognition, particularly as the Samar Island Natural Park continues its journey toward UNESCO World Heritage inscription.

Please click the link to access the article

Amphibians and reptiles of Samar Island Natural Park, Philippines, with an updated checklist, a rediscovery, and new records for Samar Island The Philippine archipelago is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity and high endemism, particularly among amphibians and reptiles. Samar Island, the third largest in the country and a key element of the Greater Mindanao Pleistocene Aggregate Island Complex, still harbors swathes of old-growth fo...

Join Us for Module 5, the last module, of the Competence Framework for Cultural Heritage Management Conference Series!

🗓️ Friday, 27 March 2026
🕗 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍Manila Metropolitan Theater Ballroom

MODULE SUS. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
This module contains the competences related to sustainable development, including the skills and knowledge needed for heritage protection and management practices that conform to the sustainable development principles and that contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and broader sustainability objectives.

📌 Register now by scanning the QR code on the poster.

𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐢𝐥𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐞: 𝐃𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐑𝐓-4 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

The UST Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the Tropics (CCCPET) is currently conducting a Heritage Impact Assessment for MRT Line 4.

We invite stakeholders, residents, and interested individuals who have participated in the “Alay Lakad” pilgrimage or “Way of Mary” route from EDSA Shrine to the Antipolo Cathedral to take part in this study.

This assessment aims to identify and understand the social values associated with heritage structures, public spaces, and communities located along and within the vicinity of the proposed MRT Line 4 alignment, including sections of the Alay Lakad pilgrimage route.�
Your insights and experiences will help ensure that cultural heritage, traditions, and community values are carefully considered in this development.

🎁 P300 will be given via Gcash as a token of appreciation to those who will submit and qualify as participants.

🔗 Access the participation link here: �https://forms.gle/s7JGdsxpgMMGcGsR9

📩 For inquiries: [email protected]

𝐔𝐒𝐓𝐆𝐒-𝐂𝐂𝐂𝐏𝐄𝐓 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐂𝐂𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

The University of Santo Tomas Graduate School – Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the Tropics (USTGS-CCCPET) and UST College of Tourism and Hospitality Management, in collaboration with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts(NCCA), continues to open its doors to cultural workers, educators, and heritage professionals from across the country through the Competency Seminar Series on Cultural Heritage Management, held last January 16, 2026, at the Metropolitan Theater Ballroom.

The fourth module focused on the competencies required for heritage practitioners to move beyond merely paying lip service to community involvement and to ensure that heritage management is genuinely participatory. It also emphasized the competencies needed to recognize and contribute meaningfully to the realization of the rights of local communities.

Topics such as The Problematique of Presentation and Representation of Indigenous Communities in the Philippines were discussed by Dr. Raymundo Rovillos. In addition, Prof. Joan Christi Trocio-Bagaipo, PhD, discussed Protecting Community Rights over Traditional Knowledge (WIPO), which complemented Fr. Earl Cura, CICM’s talk on Indigenous Education. Dr. Ceejay Abordo defined the Third Space, while Dr. Eric B. Zerrudo discussed ICH, commercialization, and ethics.

Two more modules are set to follow, which will highlight heritage education and interpretation, as well as heritage’s role in sustainable development.