Journal Sampurasun Vol. 04, Number 01, June 2018

SABLOT (LITSEA GLUTINOSA), LOUR ROB., IN THE CONTINUING PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION OF THE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF ILOCOS (PHILIPPINES)

Norma A. Esguerra

College of Engineering, University of Northern Philippines Vigan City, 2700 Ilocos Sur, Philippines [email protected]

Abstract

The ethical guideline that appropriate materials be used for the conservation and preservation of cultural heritage implies that the original set of materials be used, thus, the need to replicate the same materials used by the forefathers. This study then promotes the use of sablot, (Litsea Glutinosa), Lour Rob., a native Philippine tree, in the conservation and preservation of the heritage structures of Ilocos, Philippines, and demonstrates the structural feasibility of sablot paste as cement substitute. Historical and technical approaches were used to develop the research. By historical approach, documentary analysis of information was conducted among selected structures to present the facts about the time of construction and methods used by the Ilocano builders. Records show that the churches of Ilocos were constructed earlier than the recorded date of invention of cement in 1824 by Joseph Aspdin, an English inventor. Interviews with selected elderlies knowledgeable of the construction methods were conducted to determine the proportion of the aggregates and the sablot paste. From the interviews, the technical approach followed, where samples were constructed to replicate the proportion of the original formulation of the sablot paste and aggregates. In conclusion, the Ilocos churches testify to the capability of the sablot solution to bind the construction aggregates used during the pre-cement era.The sablot paste is as strong as cement within ordinary loadings, and the age of the sablot paste has a significant effect to its strength.

Keywords: Sablot, sablot paste, preservation, conservation, heritage

1. Introduction Heritage Village. (http://tawidnewsmag.com/ Tawid News On December 21, 1999, Vigan, then and up Team, February 26, 2007).These agencies to now, the capital town of Ilocos Sur, came together and crafted the Vigan became a UNESCO-inscribed heritage site. Masterplan. As such, the local government has to preserve and conserve its culture which is The Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 or composed of tradition, as well as its existing Republic Act 10066 of the Republic of the structures by virtue of a Memorandum of Philippines, defines cultural heritage as the Agreement with the Government of the totality of cultural property preserved and Republic of the Philippines, through the developed through time and passed on to Department of Tourism, and the posterity.https://www.heritage.org.ph/. The Government of Spain, through the Agencia Heritage Conservation Council is Española Cooperacion Internacional, the commissioned by the Philippine Presidential Commission for the Restoration, Government for the above mandate. It Conversion and Preservation of the Vigan entails the processes and measures of

51

Journal Sampurasun Vol. 04, Number 01, June 2018

maintaining the cultural significance of a art conservation, to the protection and care cultural property, including but not limited of artworks and architecture, also including to the preservation, restoration, protection and care of a broad set of other reconstruction, protection, or combinations cultural and historical works. The of the mentioned processes. However, the Conservation of cultural heritage can be Council is only interested to the built looked at as a type of ethical stewardship in environment, which are the architectural and the sense that it embodies the responsible engineering structures. planning and management of resources. The concepts of stewardship can be applied to The work of Anna Marie Sullivan (Sullivan, the environment and nature, (Stuart, et al, 2016) published in the Encyclopaedia of 2009), economics, (Curtis, 2012) health, Conservation and Restoration points out that (Robinson, et al, 2012),information, conservation-restoration of cultural heritage (National Academies Press, 2009), theology, focuses on the protection and care of (Van Dyke, 2008). In business, stewardship tangible cultural heritage, including advances the concept that "as a steward, you artworks, architecture, archaeology, and try to leave the company in better shape for museum collections. your successor than it was handed over to An older author describes restoration as the you by your predecessor (Jean-Pierre & sustained goal to savor a work of art and to Schreuder. 2015).The definition of the appreciate its material form, together with International Standardization for its historical and aesthetic duality, with a Organizations (ISO 20121) states that: Event view of transmitting it to the future”. sustainability management system - Conservation of cultural heritage is Requirements with guidance for use; par. concerned with the collection of works of 3.20: "responsibility for sustainable art, establishment of museums including the development shared by all those whose care and management of these collections actions affect environmental performance, through tracking, examination, economic activity, and social progress, documentation, exhibition, storage, reflected as both a value and a practice by preventative conservation, and restoration individuals, organizations, communities, (Szczepanowska, 2013). This is also and competent expressed in the American Institute for authorities."https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Co Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works nservation-restoration_of_cultural_heritage. (AIC) Preamble, that the primary goal of Further, conservation and preservation conservation is for the preservation of programs apply ethical guidelines. These cultural property, which may consist of refer to the basic principle to govern the individual objects, structures, or aggregate decision as to what methodology is accepted collections. It is material which has in implementing conservation and significance that may be artistic, historical, preservation programs. The ethical scientific, religious, or social, and it is an guidelines being used are: a) the use of invaluable and irreplaceable legacy that minimal intervention, b) appropriate must be preserved for future generations.In materials and reversible methods and c) full striving to achieve this goal, conservation documentation of the work. Ethical professionals assume certain obligations to standards have been established across the the cultural property, to its owners and world, and national and international ethical custodians, to the conservation profession, guidelines have been written. One of such is and to society as a whole. This document, the American Institute for the Conservation the Code of Ethics and Guidelines for of Historical and Artistic Works (AIC) – Practice of the American Institute for Code of Ethics. Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works (AIC), sets forth the principles that guide Use of minimal intervention requires the use conservation professionals and others who of simple, economical methods. Use of are involved in the care of cultural property. appropriate materials and reversible methods employ genuine conservation materials, not The conservation-restoration program of the the “look-alike” strategy, which entails the City Government of Viganhas widened from use of original materials or methods used

52

Journal Sampurasun Vol. 04, Number 01, June 2018

before. This guiding principle (also called actions and carry out documentation before, reversibility) is the ability to return a work during, and after the treatment. of art to its normal state prior to the conservation intervention. This concept This study tries to focus on appropriate remains still the guiding principle of materials as one ethical guideline to conservation amidst the criticism of many, implement preservation and conservation of probably due to practical reasons, that cultural heritage. It advocates for the use of materials used before may no longer be genuine materials to perpetuate preservation available at this present time. Another and conservation of the Ilocos Heritage important principle of conservation is that buried in the built environment- the houses, all alterations should be well documented the monuments, the churches, and all other and should be clearly distinguishable from constructs which reveal the culture and the original object (ICOM-CC International history of Vigan’s rich and glorious past. Council of Museums Committee for However, the act of preservation and Conservation). conservation may be done using the materials of today’s technology, or by the Full documentation of the work means that same materials present before. If today’s every action done be recorded, saved in print technology will be used, the method of or non-print devices for replicability and/or preservation and conservation shall be with sustainability of the adopted conservation the use of cement with its sand and gravel technology. The AIC explicitly enumerates combination for dilapidated brick walls, and the following purposes of documentation as similar items. If the genuine preservation part of the undertakings of cultural heritage and conservation shall be adopted, then, the sustainability strategy; namely a) to establish original material make-up of the structures the condition of cultural property; b) to aid should be used, which were sablot ((Litsea in the care of cultural property by providing Glutinosa), molasses and lime, to paste information helpful to future treatment and bricks together. by adding to the profession’s body of knowledge; c) to aid the owner, custodian, Sablot, being one of the main construction or authorized agent and society as a whole in materials of yesteryears, is one of native the appreciation and use of cultural property Philippine trees listed in forestry accounts by increasing understanding of an object’s by the Forest Products Research and aesthetic, conceptual, and physical Development Institute (FPRDI) - one of the characteristics; and d) to aid the research arms or departments under the conservation professional by providing a Department of Science and Technology, reference that can assist in the continued located at the upper campus of the development of knowledge and by supplying University of the Philippines-Los Baños, at records that can help avoid Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. This body misunderstanding and unnecessary provides other data about structural timber litigation. In so doing, employing heritage needed in the design and construction of conservation and preservation programs timber structures. The compilation of data reduce the rate of deterioration of a collected on structural timber as a result of FPRDI’s work of art which is considered a expertise is embodied in Chapter 6 of the memorabilia to contain history. National Structural Code of the Philippines. Conservation professionals may use various (https://www.pinterest.co.uk/nitoteves/philip methodologies to pursue this goal which pinenative-trees/?lp=true).Sablotis also one may be for aesthetics, stabilization needs for of the many useful trees which have aroused structural integrity or cultural requirements the interest of many foresters, scientists, and for intangible continuity. Examples of such the like, because of its contents. The studies methodologies may be the removal of of Esguerra (2013) found out that sablot’s discolored varnish from a painting, the leaves when soaked in water for three to five application of wax to a sculpture, or the days, then used to mix with sand and lime, washing and rebinding of a book. Ethical could turn the aggregates into a fluid standards within the field require that the mixture, similar to the concrete mixture conservator fully justify conservation nowadays with the sablot paste as the

53

Journal Sampurasun Vol. 04, Number 01, June 2018

binder. The compressive stress of the tourism as a tool for regional development in samples constructed did not have significant Izmir corroborated with the findings of difference with the samples made using Tutur.The practical implication of this study cement as binder. Thus, sablot paste could is pointing out the possible policies and be a substitute for cement. Having been necessity of cooperation between the considered as a vanishing species of trees, government and private sector in Izmir, Rabena (2010) conducted a propagation being the most populated andthe most technique for sablot. industrialized city, which plays a great role in the development of the AegeanRegion. The AIC through its Research and Technical Alivizatou (2016) aimed to centre cultural Studies group, also supports those who are heritage studies within a wider concern for involved in research within the conservation the preservation of humandignity and justice field, and to help promote and advance and to use these alternative discourses as a scientific efforts in conservation. The resource for future action, therebycreating a presence of research undertakings also foster proactive, responsive and just future for increased interaction and communication cultural heritage studies. In a Philippine between conservators and scientists of all setting, Ueno (2014) found out that there is disciplines relevant to conservation. Tutur lack of human resources to safeguard Lussetyowati (2015) conducted a case study cultural heritage. This is attributed to lack of on the Musi Riverside Palembang, human resource development and training Indonesia, where preservation and institutions along this line. He further conservation of cultural heritage was commented in his report that the situation realized through tourism.Thestudy linked involving cultural heritage in the Philippines tourism with heritage and culture, and found and its protection is extensive with out that it benefited the local economy. The questions. Dela Paz (2015) conducted a main idea in cultural heritage tourism which literature review on protection of built was to save urban heritage and culture, to heritage. He said that protecting the built share it with visitors, and to reach economic heritage relies on an organized, systematic benefits was realized. and integrated outline involving extensive research, documentation, analysis, and The study of Gunlu, et al (2015) with the reporting of the various aspects of the same concept of cultural preservation and building artefact being studied. More related literature have been read about the binding systems from history. The Among construction materials, their simplest, and possibly the earliest, binding exposure on water has been a standard material used was wet mud, and there operating procedure of handling them. They arerecords of its use in ancient Egypt. may have strong, mild or no effect at all Another example of a binder from the when soaked in water. The following studies distant past was the useof naturally would reinforce the researcher’s purpose occurring bitumen by the Babylonians and when her investigation also used soaking to Assyrians in their brick and discover more information about her subject alabaster(gypsum plaster) constructions. matter. Li, et al (2009) conducted the effect https://knowledgepoint.org/upfiles/1427893 of soaking medium density fibreboard 6733462015.pdf.Lime-pozzolan mixture (MDF) in soybean protein, a renewable and have been the major types of binding abundant material that offers an alternative materials which have survived indifferent to formaldehyde-based resins. The study regions ofthe world for 8000 years. traced strong relationships between However, no mention was made about the mechanical and soaking properties of MDF natural binder, sablot (Litsea Glutinosa) of and processing parameters. Properties of Ilocandia (Philippines) described in this MDF made using soybean protein adhesive paper. The binder has survived almost six are similar to those of commercial board. centuries basing from those who started the On the other hand, Ruså-Lie (2015) also construction in the 15th century, as the studied the effect of soaking at two churches are still structurally fit up to this hardening temperatures on material writing. properties and morphology for the

54

Journal Sampurasun Vol. 04, Number 01, June 2018

martensitic ferritic steel S165M. He found unobtrusive section of the cultural property, that S165M is a remarkably resistant alloy, or on mock-ups. Representative samples of producing consistent qualities regardless of original material of the cultural property the soaking time and/or the hardening removed during treatment must be retained temperature. with the cultural property, in a file, or with the owner/custodian. This part was also Having convinced of the uniqueness of this undertaken in this study. organic matter used prior to the introduction of the present popularly developed cement, 2. Method the researcher is more determined to offer a genuine act of preservation and conservation The researcher used the historical and by using the original binder of bricks, sand experimental methods of research to and lime; the sablot. The role of sablot, undertake the study. It is reiterated that AIC through a historic and technical approach, Code of Ethics favours the conduct of should be appreciated as it has once shaped researches in aid of cultural heritage the cultural heritage of Ilocandia, buried in preservation and conservation, from which its antique, baroque churches and structures. this undertaking based its legitimate Further, this study also aims to substantiate conduct. The historical part was used to binding characteristics of sablot unexplained recount the use of sablot (Litsea glutinosa) by the forefathers through initial, when it was used as binder for bricks and as experimental studies to perpetuate its legacy a plaster to cover the brick surface over the in the conservation and preservation of the centuries prior to the cement age. It was cultural heritage of Ilocandia, the land of presented through documentation and frugal and caringIlocanos of Northern interview to capture the cultural essence of Philippines. This part of the research the indigenous material. Pictures of the conforms to the Commentary of the AIC chosen churches are presented, most of which states that using materials and which were inscribed in the UNESCO methods that are consistent with currently World heritage list. accepted practice will help the conservation professional to avoid the adoption of insufficiently tested materials and methods The technical approach to this research and to determine whether the use of existing utilized the conduct of experiments to materials and methods is appropriate in new reconstitute the sablot paste based from the treatment situations. Materials and methods interviews with Ilocano elderlies. Through become recognized as currently accepted this, the researcher was able to formulate a practice through appropriate testing and first-hand experience withthe sablot paste publication in peer-reviewed literature. This described from the interviews. Three (3) process provides an understanding of the samples with sablot paste were extracted characteristics and properties of the from a demolished antique fence. Their materials and methods, especially their strength, measured by the ultimate aging properties. compressive stress, fc’, were compared with the ultimate compressive strength of hollow Materials and methods become part of blocks today. Three (3) cylindrical concrete currently accepted practice through: samples, 6 inches (150 millimeters) in a) replicable research; diameter, 12 inches (300 millimeters) long, b) objective review of past practices; were prepared to compare how sablot fares c) professional consultation and open with the same size as the concrete cylinders. discussion at professional meetings; The sablot samples, aside from comparing d) industrial information (e.g., ASTM, their strength with concrete, were also ANSI); and intended to determine the effect of the length e) publication in peer-reviewed literature. of soaking time on their strength: five (5) The AIC guideline further states that where samples (Group A) with the sablot paste the wholesale application of a material or three (3) days old, and five (5) samples method to cultural property is contemplated, (Group B) with the sablot paste six (6) days testing must be conducted on a small, old. The age of the sablot paste is the duration of its soaking time in water.

55

Journal Sampurasun Vol. 04, Number 01, June 2018

3. Results and Discussion Iloko). The leaves were stored inside the jars, half-filled with water. The sablot The procedures discussed earlier yielded the solution would be taken out from the following findings: burnays to mix with the sand and lime aggregates. A proportion was followed for

uniformity: two parts sand, one part lime, 1 3.1 The Historical Approach part barisangsang, or unprocessed sugar. If not enough, the water component would The Paoay Church again be replenished as the original amount in the same duration before it could bind The Paoay Church is one testimony of the again. This was done for two to three times use of sablot as binder. Started in 1704, and at most, depending upon the state of the inaugurated in 1896 (192 years in the leaves’ decomposition. Almost all of the making), the Spanish friars supervised the churches in Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte construction. (Vigan museum). were built using sablot paste as binder for bricks. Thick masonry walls ranging from Sta. Maria Parish Church 1.0m to 1.5m define the periphery of the structures. Msgr. Roque Reyes, Parish Priest of the Conversion of St Paul Parish, Vigan City, Bantay Parish Church Ilo-cos Sur during the conduct of this research, and Archdiocesan Curator of St. Augustine Church, the Parish Church of Nueva Segovia, also attested that the sablot Bantay, Ilocos Sur, was constructed in 1590. leaves soaked in water develop a sticky substance that blends well with the aggregates for grouting and plastering. He has witnessed the sablot paste in the repair of the Sta. Maria Church where he was once the parish priest. The Sta Maria church is one of UNESCO’s enlisted World Heritage Sites - a baroque church. He further attested that twenty one (21) churches of Ilocos Sur

Vigan Cathedral and Belltower

According to testimonies of popular local aficionados in preservation and conservation led by Archt Rey Florentino in 2000, he well documented that sablot leaves were used as Figure 3. St. Augustine Church of Bantay, Ilocos binder together with lime and the aggregates Sur in the construction of big structures in the Ilocos, including that of the St. Paul were built using the sablot as binder.In the Metropolitan Cathedral, renovated in the same interview with Mgsr. Reyes, the parish early 1900š. priest of Vigan during the conduct of this study, he claimed to have witnessed the repair of Sta. Maria church where he was also a parish priest. According to him, the binding capability of sablot reveals that the soaking period would take 3 to 7 days in big earthen jars at 5-8 cu ft capacity (burnays in

56

Journal Sampurasun Vol. 04, Number 01, June 2018

Figure 4. St. Paul Cathedral of Vigan City, built from 1786 to 1790. Figure 6. St. William Cathedral of Laoag City, built in 1612.

San Juan (Ilocos Sur) Parish Church Badoc Church Some selected senior citizens and elderlies of Ilocos Sur, confirm that sablot was used The same testimonies speak of the in the Ilocos Region as binder in building similarities in the physical make up of the antique structures, particularly the churches Badoc Church with its neighboring which still stand today. They claim that churches. The Badoc Church is under the centuries ago, old Ilocano builders used the matronage of Our Lady Cause of Joy. solution where sablot leaves were soaked for days stored in old earthen jars called burnays, to bind bricks, sand, sugar and lime for grouting, then in plastering the bricks.

Figure 7. Our Lady Cause of Our Joy Church of Badoc, Ilocos Norte, built in 1714.

Sinait Parish Church

Figure 5. St. John, the Baptist Church of San Juan, Ilocos Sur, was built in 1641 Indigenous materials were used for the construction. Coral bricks made of sticky clay and molasses mixed with leaves and Laoag City Cathedral tree trunks of a tree soaked in water or “sablot” were used instead of cement, The first church was made of wood granite or adobe stones. The mixture constructed in 1580 by the Augustinian resulted in a sticky fluid which was then friars when the parish was established but combined with lime from ashes of burnt was damaged by fire. It was re-constructed shells. The bricks were pieced together with in 1612 with its present foundation of stucco, the mixture beaten to paste. All the massive bricks, binded by the same labor was manual. construction materials like its neighboring http://www.philippinesmyphilippines.wordp churches. ress)

57

Journal Sampurasun Vol. 04, Number 01, June 2018

Earthquake Baroque and Neoclassical architecture.

Figure 8. San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish, Sinait, Ilocos Figure 10. The Sta Monica Parish Church of Sur, the Shrine of Apo Lakay, the Crucified Jesus, was Sarrat, Ilocos Norte was built in 1779 built of corals, woven together using sablot, sand and lime. Among the antique churches shown, no one

of them was constructed earlier than 1824, Candon Church the year when Joseph Aspdin introduced

cement to the world. Similarly, the Candon Church was also made of the samematerials like the churches of other towns using sablot as the binder. 3.2 The Technical Approach

The technical approach used the experimental method of research. The composition of the sablot paste so described in the interviews was reconstituted and subjected to compressive strength tests so as to establish some first hand information about the construction material of the 16th century. In Table 1, three sablot samples were extracted from an old fence, and they represent original sablot mixtures, while the concrete samples represent modern Figure 9. St. John de Sahagun Church of Candon City, structures. Ilocos Sur was built in 1695, rebuilt in 1709 Table 1: Compressive Stress, Fc’ Values of Samples in MPa, using Sablot and Cement Sarrat Church # Sablot Cement The Roman Catholic Church of Sarrat, 1 1-3/4”x2-1/2”x6” 4.87 10.51 dedicated to the matronage of Santa Monica 2 2-3/4”x3-3/4”x6” 11.86 22.12 is located in Barangay San Leandro, 3 2-3/4”x3-1/2”x7 9.82 10.31 Poblacion, Sarrat, Ilocos Norte, Philippines Average 10.89 12.27 (Dela Torre, 2006). It was built in 1779 and was originally known as San Miguel The concrete cylinders paired with the Church. The Santa Monica Church complex debris samples were molded from ungraded includes the convent connected to the church mixed aggregates hauled from the by an elevated three-level brick stairway. riverbanks of Banaoang Santa, Ilocos Sur Sarrat Church is the biggest in Ilocos Norte which is one of the most accessible hauling and possibly in the whole Ilocos region. The site. This should explain why the church is made from red bricks built in compressive stress results were low in contrast to the lowest fc’ used for concrete

58

Journal Sampurasun Vol. 04, Number 01, June 2018

which is 17 MPa. The use of ungraded and 6 days as variable were analyzed, the t- mixed aggregates was used to capture value computed (t = -9.329) was less than country-side construction which usually use the significant value of t at .000. Therefore, ungraded mixed aggregates to make small the soaking time is significant. bungalows or one-storey residential houses. This further suggests that the soaking time When the strengths of the samples made of affects the strength of the samples. The sablot paste were compared to the strength samples in Group B molded using the sablot of the concrete samples, a t-value of 0.267 paste six (6) days old are stronger than those was computed which is less than the samples molded with sablot paste three (3) significant value of 0.802, making it not days old. It was observed further during the significant. This suggests that the fc’ values experiment that in three-day time, the leaves of the samples out of sablot paste are as soaked in water started to exude white sticky strong as those of cement. substances called latex. This reaction with water last only for seven (7) days, since all Table 2 shows the strengths in terms of the the latex are dissolved as the leaves start to ultimate compressive stresses of the samples disintegrate. The most sticky sablot paste mixed by the 3-day old sablot paste occurred from the 3rd to the 6th day. When mixed with sand and lime the resulting Table 2. Compressive Strength of Samples with 3 mixture became fluid and plastic, similar in days soaking time (Group A) appearance and manageability as the

Sample # Fc’, MPa (psf) present-day concrete mixture. After the 7th 1 0.81 (16,884.6) day, the sablot solution loses its binding 2 0.83 (17,301.5) power. 3 0.80 (16,676.2) 4 0.78(16,259.3) 5 0.82 (17,093.0) a. Economics of the Sablot Paste Average 0.808 (16,843.0) A practical financial analysis has been Table 3 similarly reveals the strengths conducted to convince the potential taker of measured in terms of the ultimate this proposed technology. Being affordable compressive stress of the samples mixed and readily available are two of the major with 6-day old sablot paste. considerations in endorsing the sablot to

solve housing problems for the rural poor. Table 3. Compressive Strength of Samples with 6 days soaking time (Group B) The proponent came up with the findings presented subsequently. A one square meter Sample # Fc’, MPa (psf) wall panel is taken as the subject of 1 0.95 (19,802.9) comparison. Its thickness is set to be 2 0.90 (18,760.7) uniform at one inch on both sides, internally 3 0.94 (19,594.5) and externally. The proportion of the 4 0.93 (19,386.0) concrete plaster and its area of coverage 5 0.91 (18,969.0) shall also be the wall coverage of the plaster Average 0.926 (19,302.7) using sablot as binder. The volume per mix is 0.085 cu.m. The coverage area for this The results of the compressive tests show volume of plaster is 1.8 sq.m. The sablot that the samples in Group B resisted paste contains one part lime and two parts relatively higher stresses than those in sand, practically yielding the same volume Group A. Apparently, the length of soaking of mixture as the cement plaster and the time affects the strength of the resulting same coverage of plastered area. mixture. The samples of Group B were 244 days old. The cement plaster uses an approximate The sablot paste where the leaves were volume of 25-30 liters of water to mix the soaked in clean water was six (6) days old. aggregates for every bag of cement. The When the fc’ values of the two groups of same volume of water is also the same samples using the soaking time of 3 days volume of sablot solution needed to mix the

59

Journal Sampurasun Vol. 04, Number 01, June 2018

aggregates in the preparation of the sablot In view of the findings solicited from the plaster. study, the experiments conducted suggest that: a) the sablot paste is as strong as By comparing estimates with the cement and cement within ordinary loadings, and b) the sablot plaster, (refer to Table 4) the cement age of the sablot paste has a significant plaster incurs a total expenditure of P 264 effect to its strength. Likewise, like the for every one square meter of area plastered, studies of Li, et al, Rusa-lie and Ridzuana, while the sablot plaster only incurs a who noted the respective duration of their minimum expense of P171.50 for the same individually set soaking times with respect area, using current market prices during the to their subject matter of choice for conduct of this research. maximum effect, the researcher also discovered that the soaking time of sablot Table 4. Comparative Estimate on the Use of paste to produce stronger binding capability Cement and Sablot as Wall Plaster is three (3) days.

Qty Unit Cement Unit of Total Cost Plaster Measure Compo- 5. Acknowledgment nents Portland 1 230 bag 230 Cement The author is deeply grateful to Dr. Edelyn 0.05 600 River Sand Cu,m, 34 Cadorna, Director, Research and Statistical 7 Assistance Center (RSAC), University of Total 264 Northern Philippines, Vigan City, for Qty Unit Sablot Unit of Total Cost Plaster Measure extending her technical expertise in the Compo- statistical analysis of this study. nents 0.5 275 Lime Bag 137 0.05 600 River Sand Cu.m. 34 7 6. References 171.50 https://www.heritage.org.ph/. Ann Marie Sullivan, Cultural 4. Conclusion Heritage & New Media: A Future for the Past, 15 J. MARSHALL REV. INTELL. The Ilocos churches are testimonies of the PROP. L. 604 capability of the sablot solution to bind the (2016) https://repository.jmls.edu/cgi/viewconten construction aggregates used during the pre- t.cgi?article=1392&context=ripl cement era. The research conducted about Szczepanowska, Hanna M.. 2013. the binding technology using lime from the Conservation of cultural heritage: key study of O. Kirka (2005) documented that principles and approaches. Routledge. ISBN the structures built using the ancient binder 978-0415674744. has lasted for 8000 years. The natural binder Chapin, F. Stuart III, Gary P. used in Ilocos has survived for barely six Kofinas, and Carl Folke (eds). 2009. centuries or 600 years already, in as far as Principles of Ecosystem Stewardship: documents reveal, which is already Resilience-Based Natural Resource comparably effective, since this binder is an Management in a Changing World. organic matter. Therefore, its use could be Springer. ISBN 978-0387730325. continued and adopted, to carry on a genuine Curtis, Gregory. 2012. The preservation and conservation of the heritage Stewardship of Wealth, + Website: structures. Efforts for its propagation should Successful Private Wealth Management for already be targeted to facilitate its Investors and Their Advisors. Wiley. ISBN reproduction as an assurance to its 978-1118321867. availability. One method of reproduction Robinson, Joe Sam, M. Sami Walid, was discussed in the research of Tiwari, et Aaron C. M. Barth (Editors). 2012. Toward al: 2015. Healthcare Resource Stewardship: Health Care Issues, Costs, and Access. Nova Science. ISBN 978-1621001829.

60

Journal Sampurasun Vol. 04, Number 01, June 2018

National Academy of Sciences ISSN: 2349-8080 Volume 2 Number 12 Committee on Ensuring the Utility and (December-2015) Integrity of Research Data in a Digital Age. Mancielito S. Tacadena, “Sablot - 2009. Ensuring the Integrity, Accessibility, The Tree that Preserved the Old Houses” and Stewardship of Research Data in the https://aichannel.wordpress.com/2010/11/21 Digital Age. National Academies Press. /sablot-the-tree-that-preserved-the-old- ISBN 9780309147828. houses/ Van Dyke, Fred. 2008. Conservation Benny Tuazon, “Native Trees Biology: Foundations, Concepts, Deserve a Visit Applications (2nd Edition). Springer. pp 39- http://www.manilaspeak.com/commentary/n 48. ISBN 978-1402068904. ative-trees-deserve-a-visit, February 25, Jeannet, Jean-Pierre & Hein 2014 Schreuder. 2015, From Coal to Biotech: The https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservation transformation of DSM with business school -restoration_of_cultural_heritage support, Springer. pp 295 -296. ISBN https://tawidnewsmag.com/ 9783662462980 International https://rainforestrestorationinitiative. Standardization for Organizations (ISO wordpress.com/2017/01/25/sablot/ 20121) http://www.stuartxchange.org/Puso- American Institute for Conservation puso.html of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC) – Code https://www.pinterest.co.uk/nitoteves of Ethics. Conservation-us.org. Retrieved on /philippine-native-trees/?autologin=true 2012-06-29 Vigan City Museum Interviews with ICOM-CC International Council of senior citizens and elderly Museums Committee for Conservation Interview with Msgr. Roque Reyes, Muñoz-Viñas, Salvador,Contemporary Parish Priest of St. Paul Parish, Vigan City, Theory of Conservation. London: Ilocos Sur and Archdiocesan Curator of Elsevier/Butterworth Heinemann,2005, p. Nueva Segovia 185. TuturLussetyowati, “Preservation and Ruså-Lie, André, The effects of Conservation through Cultural Heritage varying soaking times at two hardening Tourism. Case Study: Musi Riverside temperatures on material properties and Palembang” published inProcedia - Social morphology for the martensitic ferritic steel and Behavioral Sciences, Volume 184, May S165M, University of Stavanger, Norway, 2015, pp 401-406, Elsevier, open access Published on June 11, 2015 http://www.regionalstudies.org/uploads/net https://brage.bibsys.no/xmlui/handle/11250/ works/documents/tourism-regional- 301582 development-and-public-policy/gunlu.pdf Norma Esguerra, Sablot (Litsea Assist. Prof. Dr. Ebru Günlü glutinosa), Lour Rob., A Symbol of Ilocano Research Assist. Kamil Yağcı, Prof. Dr. İge Ingenuity in Construction, Phil E-journal, Pırnar “Preserving Cultural Heritage and (UNP Research Journal, Vol 22, No 1, 2013) Possible Impacts onRegional Development: Alfredo Rabena, Propagation Case Of İzmir” Techniques of Endangered Sablot (Litsea Marilena Alivizatou,Intangible glutinosa) Lour. C.B. Rob, Phil E-journal, Heritage and the Museum: New Perspectives (JPAIR Multidisciplinary Research Journal, on Cultural Preservation, Routledge, Taylor Vol 5, No. 1, 2010) and Francis Group, 2 Park Square, Milton In Vitro Propagation of Litsea Park, Abingdon OX 14 4RN, 711 glutinosa (Lour) C.B. Robinson - An Third Avenue, New York NY 10017 USA Endangered http://www.getty.edu/conservation/publicati Medicinal Tree in Madhya Pradesh, ons_resources/pdf_publications/pdf/heritage India by S.K.Tiwari, G. Krishnamurthy, _values_vl.pdf M.P. Goswami, Amit Pandey and P.K. Alternatives ToPortland Cement Singhal https://knowledgepoint.org/upfiles/1427893 International Journal of Current 6733462015.pdf Research in Biosciences and Plant Biology, Jaime SK Yeung,“Alternative Binders for Concrete Other Than Cement”.

61

Journal Sampurasun Vol. 04, Number 01, June 2018

Hong Kong Concrete Institute.Hong Kong researches in the UNP Research Journal and Concrete Institute www.hongkongci.org Philippine Engineering Journal, UP Li X, Li Y, Zhong Z, Wang D, Diliman,, Academic Excellence Award Ratto JA, Sheng K, Sun XS, Mechanical (2006), 2012 Staff Writer, UNP CGAD And Water Soaking Properties Of Medium Journal, LGU-Sto. Domingo Arangkada Density Fiberboard With Wood Fiber And Awardee on Education, Most Outstanding Soybean Protein Adhesive,Bioresour Engineer Mentor in 2011, Best Paper Technol. 2009 Jul;100(14):3556-62.doi: Presentation for Extension Projects for 10.1016/j.biortech.2009.02.048. Epub 2009 Socio-Economic Category “Livelihood and Mar28.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubme Productivity Program: Development of d/19329303 Metalcraft Enterprises in the University of Kunikazu Ueno, 2012 Survey Northern Philippines by the Philippine Report on the Protection of Cultural Association of Extension Projects Heritage in the Republic of the Philippines, Implementation at Banga, Aklan in 2010, Tokyo, Japan, Report on International 3rd Prize, Infrastructure Category Cooperation Japan Consortium in Cultural “Utilization of Research and Development Heritage Technology in Organic Agriculture: The F.I. dela Paz, “Architecture as UNP Experience at Banga, Aklan in 2010, Artifact: The Meaning and Measure of Built 3rd Best Scientific Paper in the 2008 Dr. Heritage in the Philippines; A Literature Edgar Padilla Search for the Best Scientific Review of Recent and Current Studies on Paper (Regional), Prototyping of a Heritage Conservation in the Philippine Mechanized Bagoong Squeezer, published Setting one book “Construction Management”, M.J.M. Ridzuana,*, M.S. Abdul ISBN-978-971-0578-00-9, patented aFish Majida, , M. Afendia,, K. Azduwinb, S.N. Paste Bagoong Squeezerwith Utility Model Aqmariah, Kanafiaha, and Y. Dan-mallama, Registration No. 02-2010-000200 granted “The Effects of the Alkaline Treatment’s last May 12, 2014 and Refrigerant Soaking Exposure on theTensile Strength Of Recycling and Recovery Machinewith Napier Fibre,”2351-9789 © 2015 The Utility Model Application No. Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is 2/2016/000196, filed on April 14, 2016, an open access article under the CC BY-NC- granted three (3) externally funded research ND license (https://www.sciencedirect.com/) grants from the Department of Science and Philippines Heritage Conservation Technology, published 20 research outputs, Council Member, Philippine Institute of Civil Philippine Cultural Heritage Act of Engineers, Specialist in Construction 2009 Management Engineering,National Accreditor, Accrediting Agency for Chartered Colleges and Universities of the 7. Biography Philippines (AACCUP), Member, Regional/Provincial Pool of Productivity Norma Esguerra and Quality Specialists in Region 1, Member, GADPool, UNP Center for Gender and Development, Member, Doctor of Public Administration, 2006, University National Budget Circular (NBC) Master of Engineering Management, major 461 Review Committee for faculty in Construction Management, 1997, Master evaluation and promotion of Arts in Mathematics Education, 1990, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, 1979. Previous employment: Associate Civil Engineer to Senior Civil Engineer at the Department of Public Works and Highways (January 1980- May 1983) while teaching on part time basis at the University of Northern Philippines. Full-time instructor since June 1983. Rose from the ranks from Instructor 1 to Professor 6. Has published

62

Journal Sampurasun Vol. 04, Number 01, June 2018

63