By: April Dawn Tegelan
“…resilience is not just about bouncing back from adversity. It is about learning, adapting, and transforming our societies to better withstand future challenges. We encourage each and every one of you to remain curious, conscious, and committed to exploring how we can all contribute to a more resilient society. As the saying goes, success is the sum of small efforts.” – Dr. Alfredo Mahar Francisco A. Lagmay, UP RI Executive Director
The general idea of Resilience Live was floated at a time when the country was reeling from the distancing caused by a global pandemic. Initially a loose idea aiming to be an online version of its pre-pandemic predecessor, the first iteration of the concept simply aimed to foster a sense of connectedness and camaraderie among its audience. The initial pitch, however, did not materialize simply because life happened and other more pressing matters needed attention.
In hindsight, the initial shelving of the webinar concept might have been a blessing in disguise. The concept was admittedly raw and the webinar market at that time was overly saturated.
The Intersection of science, education, public service climate change and disaster risk management
Episode 12, held last August 29, 2024, marked the anniversary episode of Resilience Live which we’d like to claim as the more sophisticated version.
From a raw concept, Resilience Live has evolved into a webinar series that explores the idea of geoheritage as a tool for resilience building in partnership with UNESCO International Geoscience Programme (IGCP) Project 692. During its one year stint, the webinar series delved into a vast array of topics both expected and unexpected. While more refined compared to its original iteration, this version of Resilience Live stays true to its original ethos: to provide a platform for the intersection of science, education, public service climate change and disaster risk management.
Disaster resilience as an intrinsic part of cultural heritage management
It was fitting that the anniversary episode featured Dr. Nathaniel von Einsiedel – a pillar in the field of environmental planning and architecture, and a staunch advocate of heritage conservation in the Philippines.
His presentation focused on the contribution of heritage conservation to sustainable development. Defined as the beliefs, values, practices, and objects that define a place’s unique character and identity, cultural heritage plays a crucial role in shaping communities and preserving their distinctiveness. Sustainability, on the other hand, is defined as meeting the needs of the present without compromising future generations’ ability to meet their own, is central to the concept of sustainable development.
As examples, Dr. Einsiedel pointed out that the protection of exceptional heritage properties and areas help foster a sense of identity, continuity, pride, and joy for individuals, nations, and cities. Well-preserved heritage assets not only bolster cultural and spiritual wellbeing but also play a crucial role in alleviating poverty and reducing inequalities by providing essential services and livelihood opportunities. Through the preservation of nature-based heritage areas, biodiversity is preserved. This contributes to economic development through investment and tourism-related jobs. Furthermore, heritage conservation helps mitigate risks associated with natural and human-made disasters by leveraging traditional knowledge, thus enhancing community resilience. Despite these benefits, current heritage conservation laws and sustainable development policies fail to explicitly recognize the role of heritage conservation in promoting sustainability.
To further strengthen how heritage conservation contributes to sustainability, Dr. Einsiedel discussed several concrete examples . First, by resisting cultural homogenization through preserving cultural assets, local identities may be preserved through counteracting the uniformity brought about by globalization. Additionally, historic buildings such as the Filipino bahay na bato often utilize climate-responsive design techniques such as optimal solar orientation and natural ventilation, making them energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. Heritage conservation also incubates local traditions and values by regenerating historic sites into vibrant cultural hubs for arts, crafts, and local practices. Furthermore, preserving historic buildings fosters community inclusion and intergenerational equity, creating a shared sense of identity and continuity. Converting and maintaining heritage buildings also conserves resources, reduces waste as in the case of the Tutuban Mall which used to be a train station. Lastly, well-preserved heritage sites enhance spatial attractiveness and property values, contributing to economic sustainability and enriching the living experience within urban environments.
Ultimately, Dr. Einsiedel argues that the conservation of heritage should be a cornerstone of sustainable development because it offers numerous economic, social and environmental benefits, and hence, it is important make disaster resilience an intrinsic part of cultural heritage management to protect assets at risk.
Scholarly learnings aside, Dr. Einsiedel’s presentation solidifies the idea that different areas of disciplines bear equal weights and are interconnected in the field of sustainability and resilience building
As an equal of the community
The Resilience Live Anniversary episode also featured multi-hyphenate Geollette Esguerra – an architect, environmental planner, writer, and editor. Initially scheduled for the July episode, Ar. EnP. Esguerra’s episode was rescheduled due class and work suspensions caused by typhoon Carina.
Her presentation focused on the concepts of placemaking and scenescapes in the context of urban resilience featuring case studies conducted on Manggahan and Pinagbuhatan, Pasig, and Poblacion, Makati. Defined as the practice of shaping places to give them value, relevance, and meaning in the context of its inhabitants, placemaking hinges on the ideas and lived experiences of communities.
A standout statement during her presentation was going to communities as an equal without an agenda. This statement echoed resoundingly throughout her presentation of several case studies and frameworks and was exemplified by the overall effort to approach a place from the lens of the community that resides in it.
Curious, conscious, committed
Echoing a quote by Dr. Alfredo Mahar Lagmay’s – Executive Director of the UP Resilience Institute, during a speech he delivered during the anniversary episode, Resilience Live, now with a year under its belt, solidifies its place as a platform that is dedicated to the exploration of all the interconnected facets of resilience building through bridging the vast wealth of knowledge in the academe to the widest possible audience. Beyond exploration, Resilience Live reiterates its commitment to being a tool for shaping a resilient consciousness among the public.
Since its initial inception as a whimsical concept to foster connectedness during a global pandemic, Resilience Live has evolved into the sum of smaller efforts that were done through the years. Equipped with other smaller efforts in its arsenal, the webinar team eagerly looks forward to what else Resilience Live could be in the future.
Resilience Live Anniversary Episode may be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzCdlG2yTus
Mark your calendars! The next Resilience Live episode, Episodes 13, is scheduled for 26 September 2024 and will be conducted via Zoom conferencing. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for all the latest updates and join us for another insightful discussion on resilience and conservation efforts in the Philippines.