Intramuros Learning Sessions episode no. 48



Overview

A short discussion on the the Healthy Parks, Healthy people approach which reinforces the crucial role that parks and protected areas play in nurturing healthy ecosystems.


  • Guest speaker: Nella Lomotan
  • Moderator: Rancho Arcilla

About the speaker: Nella Lomotan

Nella Lomotan is an entrepreneur and environmental conservationist. She is founder of Eco Explorations, co-founder and Managing Director at the Philippine Parks & Biodiversity, co-founder of SoulSpeak Mindfulness & Yoga retreats, was formerly the Corporate Social Responsibility head of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and was previously a Climate Ambassador at the Global Climate Youth Network. She is also currently a consultant for the Biodiversity Finance Initiative project of the United Nations Development Programme and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the Philippines, and is also part of the World Urban Parks Asia Pacific Committee.

She has a certificate in Sustainable Tourism from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and is currently undertaking the world’s first Climate Friendly Travel Diploma from the Institute of Tourism Studies in Europe under the SunX program to supplement studies. Ms. Lomotan was also a finalist for the Landscape Heroes Award 2020.


About the moderator: Rancho Arcilla

John Paul Escandor Arcilla, known professionally as Rancho Arcilla, is the author of the Intramuros Register of Styles (2021). He served as Chairperson of the Intramuros Technical Committee on Architectural Standards (TCAS) from June 2022 to May 2024. As TCAS Chairperson, Arcilla oversaw the review of all development, including new constructions, in the Walled City.

Arcilla was also the first Archivist of the Intramuros Administration. With a mandate from Atty. Guiller Asido, Administrator of Intramuros from 2017 to 2022, Arcilla established the Administration’s Archives and Central Records Section, serving as its first Section Head from July 2019 to June 2024.

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.

In 2021, Arcilla was instrumental in the development of the Revised 2021 Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Presidential Decree No. 1616, the main framework and legal instrument in the management of Intramuros District. The architectural provisions of the IRR and the Intramuros Register of Styles (2021) is based on his MA thesis Walls within Walls: The Architecture of Intramuros (2021).


About the Intramuros Learning Sessions

The Intramuros Learning Sessions (ILS) is the educational lecture 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]


See Previous ILS Episode
Protecting Intramuros Part 1: Urban and Architectural Regulations in the Walled City
See Next ILS Episode
In Truth and Virtues: Timeless Legacies of the University of Santo Tomas, 1611-1941

Check out our previous ILS episodes here


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