#TalkThursday: Wakeskating and heritage conservation

MANILA, Philippines – Rappler talks with Ivan Henares, president of the Heritage Conservation Society.

Over the weekend, Philippine conservationists blasted a wakeskating “stunt” performed at a Banaue rice terrace in the Ifugao province. In a YouTube video sponsored by Red Bull, professional wakeskaters Brian Grubb of the United States and Dominik Preisner of Germany are seen skimming on the waters of one of the rice terraces. As of Wednesday, October 30, the video has been viewed over 740,000 times.

Watch the interview below.

In the video description, Red Bull claims they obtained permission from the locals saying, “All agreements have been made together with the locals and under respect of their traditions and culture.” Despite the assurance, the video drew mixed reactions from Filipino viewers.

(READ: Wakeskating ‘stunt’ at Banaue Rice Terraces draws ire)

Watch the video here:

Speaking to Agence France Presse, Augusto Villalon, president of International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Philippines, said the move was “inappropriate,” adding that the “world heritage property and the local residents should not be exploited.”

Heritage conservation architect Joycelyn Mananghaya also weighed in on the issue. If the video ends up encouraging more to do wakeskating on the rice terraces, this would “significantly remove from it the values by which the site has been inscribed in the world heritage list.”

Henares, through his blog and via social media, has pushed for legislation highlighting the needs and importance of heritage preservation in the country.

Henares talks to Rappler about the wakeskating video and what it means in terms of heritage conservation. Does it disrespect the Banaue rice terraces? What is the state of heritage conservation in the country? – Rappler.com