Announcing SEACHA’s First Study Trip to the Philippines

​​STUDY TRIP:

The Siam Society – Southeast Asian Heritage Alliance (SEACHA) in operation with the Philippine Heritage Society present

Exploring Philippines Heritages in Central Luzon

 Wednesday, 6 to Sunday, 10 March 2024

with Dr. Ivan Henares
President of Heritage Conservation Society of the Philippines
and Mr. Jim Stent
Council Member of The Siam Society

We are proud to announce SEACHA’s first study trip, jointly organized by two of our founding members, the Heritage Conservation Society of the Philippines and The Siam Society. This trip is open for the public to book.

In the central region of the island of Luzon lies the heart of the Philippines’ cultural heritage. This 5-day tour will allow visitors to experience the complex interweaving of indigenous Malay, Spanish and American colonial, and Chinese immigrant strands that are the roots of today’s vibrant and colorful Philippine culture and identity. We shall immerse ourselves in many aspects of Philippine culture during the tour—architecture, handicrafts, agricultural heritage, cuisine, and way of life – and learn about the local heritage conservation movement.

Our tour will take us to the Tagalog heartland provinces of Antipolo, Laguna and Bulacan, the culinary capital of Pampanga, and Manila, the Philippine capital since 1571, with its multiple layers of history and cultural influences.

Organization Background

The Heritage Conservation Society of the Philippines (HCS) is the prime mover and advocate for the preservation of Philippine-built heritage, through advocacy and volunteerism, project implementation, education and information, to contribute toward the establishment of a Society that preserves and values its cultural heritage.

The Southeast Asian Cultural Heritage Alliance (SEACHA) is a digital-based network of civil society organizations in ASEAN countries that are engaged in cultural heritage conservation work. It aims to promote effective government-community partnership in cultural heritage management in Southeast Asia, to strengthen the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community as a people-centred third pillar of ASEAN and serve both as a networking forum between ASEAN member organizations, with an aim to be a dialogue partner of ASEAN governments.

The Siam Society Under Royal Patronage is a Thai cultural non-profit organization that promotes the study and knowledge-sharing of cultures, history, arts, and heritage conservation of Thailand and its neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia. The Society’s activities are guided by its motto: “Knowledge Gives Rise to Friendship”.

Leaders

Dr. Ivan Anthony Henares is a Board Member of the Southeast Asian Cultural Heritage Alliance (SEACHA) and Chairperson of the Heritage Conservation Society (HCS). He is also serving as Secretary-General, UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines, Commissioner (Deputy Minister) for Cultural Heritage, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Assistant Professor, University of the Philippines, and Secretary General, ICOMOS International Cultural Tourism Committee (ICTC).

Mr. Jim Stent has been a member of The Siam Society since 1979. He had a career in banking in Asia until his retirement and has been a cultural heritage advocate for over 20 years. Serving on the board of Beijing Cultural Heritage Protection Center, and as Chairperson of the Siamese Heritage Trust of The Siam Society from 2011 – 2019. He is a member of the Council of the Siam Society and an Advisor to the Executive Board of the Southeast Asian Cultural Heritage Alliance.

To learn more, read the full announcement and itinerary.

Booking:

Please be informed that the contribution should be made to the SEACHA account, kindly follow the payment instructions below. Contribution of THB 63,000, Single room surcharge of THB 9,500. A deposit of THB 25,000 and a photocopy of the identification page on your passport must accompany the booking. Your reservation will be confirmed as soon as the deposit has been made. The final payment will be required 30 days before the start of the trip (i.e. by Tuesday, 6 February 2024). Please pay by cash or cheque payable to “Southeast Asian Cultural Heritage Alliance”. Transfer or remittance can be made to the Southeast Asian Cultural Heritage Alliance account at TMBThanachart Bank (ttb), saving account no. 909-2-19074-4. SWIFT Code TMBKTHBK. Kindly note that the foreign bank charges or bank remittance fees should be paid by the Applicant/Sender, the deposit and final payment should be in full amount with “Thai Baht” only. Once payment has been made, please send the deposit or transfer docket to [email protected].

*Please always check the email address before you reply, if it is reply to [email protected], kindly change the address to [email protected].

Inclusions:

• The contribution includes accommodation (double sharing basis), meals as mentioned in the programme, transportation and sightseeing cars, entrance fees, gratuities, basic accident insurance and other costs incurred to make this trip possible.

Exclusions:

• The contribution excludes all air tickets from the country of origin, foreign bank charges or bank remittance fees, Visa fees, 2 meals as mentioned in the programme (dinner on day 2 and lunch on day 5), personal expenses, personal food and beverage consumptions, etc.

For further information and bookings, please contact Khun Thun of the Siam Society at 02-661-6470-3 ext. 205 or [email protected] Siam Society office is open from 09:00 to 17:00, Tuesday to Saturday.