The Paper Trails

MAJAYJAY, Laguna is not typically what comes to mind when one thinks about famous Philippine heritage sites. Most of us have heard of or visited well-known ones like Vigan in Ilocos or Intramuros in Manila, but little does the public know that right at the foot of Mount Banahaw, a cluster of beautiful 19th to early 20th century structures can be found in the municipality of Majayjay.

In mid-March this year, the United Architects of the Philippines Professional Development Commission hosted a webinar to shed light on Majayjay's rich historical value and the necessity of its preservation and restoration. Entitled "Paper Trails: Discovering and Identifying the Historic Landscapes," the webinar was able to reach architecture students, built environment professionals, and Majayjay locals by partnering with the United Architects of the Philippines Student Auxiliary (UAPSA), Center of Resilience Environmental Experts (CORE), and the Mamunga Foundation, a Majajay-based NGO for the youth.