John Paul Escandor Arcilla, known professionally as Rancho Arcilla, is the author of the Intramuros Register of Styles (2021). He is currently the Chairperson of the Intramuros Technical Committee on Architectural Standards (TCAS). As TCAS Chairperson, Arcilla oversees the review of all development, including new constructions, in the Walled City. He is also a PhD student at the Tri-College of the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman. He has an MA in Philippine Studies from UP Diliman and a BA in Asian Studies from the University of Santo Tomas.

Arcilla specializes on colonial architecture. The architectural provisions of the Revised 2021 Implementing Rules and Regulations of Presidential Decree No. 1616, the main framework and legal instrument in the management of Intramuros District, is based on his MA thesis Walls within Walls the Architecture of Intramuros (2021).

As main speaker

ILS 47 – Urban and Architectural Regulations in Intramuros

ILS 80 – 2021 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of PD No. 1616

ILS episodes moderated/hosted

EpisodeTitle
76The Big One: The 1863 Earthquake of Corpus Christi
75Pilgrimage with the Intramuros Pedicab Drivers: Art, Tourism, and Religion
74Colegio de Sta. Rosa: History, Heritage & Legacy
73
The Occupation of Women in 19th Century Manila
72Santa Isabel College of Manila: A Lasting Legacy
71Bakit Dapat Isulong ang Pagbibisikleta sa Pilipinas?
70Access & Mobility For All: Enhancing the Mobility of Persons with Disabilities (Batas Pambansa Bilang 344)
69Safe Spaces Act (RA 1131) or the Bawal Bastos Law
67Civil Society & Local Collaboration: The Crucial Driven Force of Chiang Mai Creative City
66Mi Amada Ciudad Murada: The Literary Landscape of Intramuros
65Impacts of the Designation of Baguio as a UNESCO Creative City
64A Community-Centric Model for Cultural Sustainability
63Senses of Space: The Power of Memories and Its Struggle within the Malaysian Built Environment
62The UST Heritage Library: A Timeless Treasure
61Pamanahon: Digitally Recreating Pre-War Intramuros
60Istilong Prayle: The Architectural Styles of the Five Colonial Religious Orders in the Philippines As Observed
59Letran: A Philippine National Treasure
57Matriz: Architecture and Environ of the Mother Churches in Intramuros
56Protecting Intramuros Part 3: Intramuros as a Creative Urban Heritage District
55Housing our Heritage: Household Heritage Conservation Initiatives in the City of Silay
54UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery 150th Anniversary
53Protecting Intramuros Part 2: Current Conservation Projects in the Walled City
50Casa Manila: The Elegance and Romance of Spanish Manila
49In Truth and Virtues: Timeless Legacies of the University of Santo Tomas, 1611-1941
48Healthy Parks, Healthy People
46Mga Mahal na Araw, Mga Banal na Araw: Heritage of Faith and Theology in the Holy Week Practices in the Philippines
44Battle of Manila: Humanity Amidst the Carnage
43Blessed Justo Takayama Ukon: The Japanese-born Manileno Who Was Proposed as Manila’s First Saint 1945
42Jose Maria Zaragoza Defined
41Tala-Talaan: Documenting the Giant Lantern Festival of San Fernando, Pampanga Towards a Safeguarding Plan of an Intangible Cultural Heritage
40History-Writing With Bombs And Bulldozers
39Manila’s Tourism and Cultural Development Plan
38Justice is Served, Court Victories for Women & Children
37The Nostalgia of Manila Sound
36Tambay sa Pancitan: Luzon’s Ysla De Panciteria Project
35Walls, Water, and Warfare; A User’s Manual to the Walls of Intramuros
34South Cotabato Cacao
33Philippine Registry of Cultural Property: An Overview
32The Parian and the Spanish Colonial Economy
31Cultural Significance for World Heritage Sites: Understanding the Concept of Outstanding Universal Value
30Ang Pamana ni Sonny: Remembering the Life and Legacy of Martin I. Tinio Jr.
29A Discussion on the Conservation Management Plan of Intramuros
28Sifting Through The Myths of General Douglas MacArthur
27Letania: Architectural Documentation of San Agustin Church Retablos
26Santo Domingo Church and La Naval: The Intramuros Shrine and Its Rituals
25A Re-Assessment of Intramuros Architecture
24Leoncio Asuncion’s Iconology and the 19th Century Philippine Colonial Religious Sculpture: An Analysis
23The 1905 Burnham Plan for Manila
22Protecting Agricultural Produce
21Heroines of World War II
20Intellectual Property in Textiles
19History of Muslims in Hispanic Manila
17Creadoras: A Tribute to Betsey Westerndorp
16Rediscovering Biodiversity in Manila Urban Jungle During the Time of Pandemic
15Heroes of World War II Part 1: Escoda, Abad Santos, and Lim
14Indio Response: The Museo de Intramuros Collection
1319th Century Spanish Manila in Times of Epidemics
12A Visit to Luneta’s Colorful Past, Current State and Future Developments
11Making History and Heritage Matter: How the Past Defines the Future
91945 Battle of Manila: The Intramuros Experience
8A History of Informal Housing in Intramuros
7In Praise of the Popular: Re-examining the Folk Santos
6Ang Fort Santiago sa Kasaysayang Pilipino
5Symbols of a Glorious Past: A Look at the Old Monuments of Intramuros
4Intramuros and the Making of the Filipino Nation
3Stone of Philippine DNA: Uncovering the Genome of Intramuros

About the Intramuros Learning Sessions

The Intramuros Learning Sessions (ILS) is the educational webinar series of the Intramuros Administration (IA). The IA is an attached national government agency under the Department of Tourism. 

Topics are interdisciplinary and cover themes related to Intramuros and Manila studies, Philippine studies, as well as cultural heritage studies. Pursuant to IA’s charter, the ILS aims to contribute to the strengthening of the Filipino’s national identity and sense of belonging and pride.

For inquiries contact us at [email protected]

Check out our other ILS speakers here

For more information contact the Center for Intramuros Studies via [email protected]
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