The Cultural Heritage Offices of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila, Philippines. These offices include the following:

• Manila Archdiocesan Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church (MACC)

• Archdiocesan Museum of Manila (AMM)

• Archdiocesan Archives of Manila (AAM)

The history of the Catholic Church in the Philippines is tied up with the country’s history. The artistic and historic collection of the church are rich in historical and cultural heritage of the Filipinos.  Hence, the church greatly encourages the preservation, restoration, fruition and development of this legacy!

On June 28, 1988, the Pontifical Commission for the Conservation of the Patrimony of Art and History of the Church was created by the Apostolic Constitution under the approval of the Holy Father John Paul II. This commission is entrusted with the custody, protection and conservation of the entire church’s artistic and historic heritage.

In response to this call, the Episcopal Commission on Cultural Heritage in the Philippines was also created. It serves as the Archdiocese’ coordinating body with the Pontifical Commission to assure the realization of its goals and objectives.

The Manila Archdiocesan Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church (MACC) was created to serve as the church’s cultural heritage watchdog at the Archdiocese of Manila.  It serves as a coordinating body dedicated to the conservation and preservation of the rich heritage of religious art of the Archdiocese, including a complete inventory of all its religious and historical artifacts at the different churches all over the diocese.

Through AAM and AMM, the Archdiocese of Manila is actively involved in the conservation of archival documents and in the preservation of its museum collection. A Conservation Laboratory was set up in 1988 to cater to these needs. In addition, a museum housing various church collections was established in 1987.

Archdiocesan Archives of Manila

The Philippines was a colony of Spain for over 300 years! It is for this reason that the history of the colonial Philippines is tied up with the history of the Church in the colony. Spanish colonization was a joint enterprise between the State and the Church, under the patronage of the King of Spain.  Under the rationale for conquest, which the Spaniards defined for themselves -- colonization was justified only in terms of evangelization.

The Archdiocesan Archives of Manila is the repository of our Catholic history. Its documents and holdings provide us with information about the Church’s colorful past.  However, at some point in our history, it suffered the tragedy of neglect. Fortunately, and just in the nick of time, some persons with the vision and know how  for the preservation of the past, have combined resources and directed efforts to arrest the ravages of neglect, conserve and organize  the bulk of what remained of the collection for the benefit of today’s researchers.

Archival Collection

The Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines was juridically established in 1579  with the organization of the Diocese of Manila as a suffragan to the Archdiocese of Mexico. In 1595, Manila was elevated into an archdiocese, consisting of three suffragan dioceses, namely: Nueva Segovia in the Ilocos, Nueva Caceres in Southern Luzon and Cebu.  Later in 1865, the Diocese of Jaro was also erected. 

Most of the Archival Holdings at AAM are Spanish manuscripts. Although the Spaniards were very good at record keeping, the gaps in our Archival Holdings may be attributed to the losses during the 20^th century transfers and the destruction of documents due to poor storage conditions.

In 1976, Sr. Ma. Rita Ferraris, RVM prepared a Summary inventory of the Archival Holdings.  This classification is based on provenance and the functions of the Archdiocesan Office.

The Archival Holdings are arranged into four main Record Groups. Each Record Group is divided into several Series.  Under each Series is a group of Sub-series. Under each Sub-Series are Folder File units, and under each Folder File are the  archival documents.

The documents are carefully placed in folders, which in turn are stored in non-acidic archival boxes. The boxes are housed on metal shelves at the AAM Stack Room  that provides an environment with controlled temperature, humidity and lighting.  The total AAM collection is about 700 cu. ft.

The four main Record Groups and Series are as follows:

• General Administration (RG.I) – divided into 8 Series (i.e., S.01 to S.08)
• Sacraments (RG.II) - divided into 6 Series (i.e., S.01 to S.06)
• Personnel (RG.III) - divided into 2 Series (i.e., S.01 to S.02)
• Asuntos Generales (RG.IV) - divided into  3 Series (i.e., S.01 to S.03)

Organization

The Archdiocesan Archives of Manila is an office of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila (RCAM).  A few of the other offices at RCAM are the Archdiocesan Museum, the Matrimonial Tribunal, the Archdiocesan Office for Research and Development (AORD), the Treasury and Accounting, the Chancery and the Archdiocesan Office of Communication. The Archive is directly attached to the Chancery Office,  and permission to undertake research is obtained from the Local Ordinary, His Eminence, Jaime Cardinal Sin or his representative, the Chancellor – Msgr. Roberto Canlas. With this permission, the researcher is accommodated at the Archives Office subject to the rules and regulations prepared by the Chief Archivist.

The Archives Office, as in any archival institution, has a two-fold purpose:

1. To preserve documentary material
2. To make these materials available for research use

Hence, it has two sections, namely: the Research Section and the  Conservation Section. Since its reorganization in 1976, it has been  consistently up-graded in the areas of personnel, facilities and services.

Facilities

The Archdiocesan Archives of Manila occupies at least 1/4 of the third floor space of the Arzopbispado Building in Intramuros, covering a floor area of approximately 250 square meters.  This area is subdivided into:

• Stack Room for storing archival records. Occupies 170 sq. meter (68% of floor area), including a 12 sq. meter vaulted area and a 15 sq. meter Sorting/Processing area
• Conservation Area and Laboratory where actual restoration and conservation works are done. Occupies 40 sq. meters (16% of floor area)
• Search Room where researchers are entertained. Occupies 28 sq. meters (11.2% of floor area)
• Staff Room, where AAM Staff hold office. Occupies 23 sq. meters (9.2% of floor area)

The Stack Room is where the Archival documents are stored and classified. It is equipped with 3 air-con units (5 Hp in total), 3 dehumidifiers at 1/5 Hp each, 1 thermohygrograph, 1 portable psychrometer and, 3 wall thermometers. The room is divided into the metal shelves area, the vault, the processing area and the microfilm storage area. There are 48 metal shelves with a capacity of 15 boxes per shelf. There are totally 626 boxes stored at the Stack Room.  The processing area with its 42 unclassified boxes has a large working table. Two microfilm filing cabinets are located near this table.

The Conservation and Laboratory  areas are fully air-conditioned  areas where most of the restoration works are done. It is equipped with laboratory facilities including a sink, a refrigerator, an oven, a triple beam Ohaus balance, distilling apparatus, pH meter, a stereozoom microscope with radial arm, a humidifier, archival aids tool kit, tacking iron, photographic equipment for documentation purposes, light table and, other instruments for analysis. In addition, it also has a multi-purpose chamber for fumigation and a leaf casting apparatus.

The Search Room is an airconditioned area where researchers are entertained. It has 1 long table, which can simultaneously accommodate at least 6 researchers.  A microfilm reader with printer, and a computer are available for use, if necessary.  This area also provides mini library covering books of general references, materials on the subject Archives and Finding Aids.

The Staff Room is the work area of  most of the AAM personnel. It is provided with computers, printers, an electric type writer and other office equipment necessary.

Conservation Section

Personnel

The Archives Office has 6 personnel viz:the Chief Archivist who is also the Director, the Assistant Archivist/Assistant Director, the Chemist Conservator, the Researcher/Restorer, the Lab Aide and, the Translator/Cataloguer. The later is a position which is open only on a contractual basis. There are also volunteers who come regularly as the need arises.

The Chief Archivist evaluates and edits permanent records and historically valuable documents, and arranges them in a systematic order (if they are not yet arranged) so as to reflect the functions or activities of the entity from which the records were gathered. He participates in research activities based on archival materials and directs safekeeping of archival documents and materials. He establishes date of writing, author or original recipient of documents and determines their historical value. He also prepares document descriptions and reference materials. He develops finding aids for ease of retrieval and, he issues guidelines and policies for the strict compliance of researchers.

The Assistant Archivist, who is under direction of the Chief Archivist, likewise performs the same duties as the Chief Archivist and acts as In-Charge of the Archives in the absence of the Director.

The Chemist Conservator is the Head of the Conservation Section whose primary role is the preservation of the entire archival collection by scientific means and the restoration of priority materials which are at stake of being permanently lost due to their deteriorated condition. Responsibilities of the Conservator include: 

1. Laboratory management and supervision
2. Preservation and restoration interventions
3. On-the -job training of staff
4. Research and development
5. Extension services in the form of technical assistance related to this highly specialized field -- within the Arzobispado, within the Archdiocese of Manila and, outside the Archdiocese of Manila.

The Researcher/Restorer is assigned to both the Research and Conservation Sections. He attends to researchers' needs, viz: the boxes and/or the microfilms. He takes charge of encoding classified, translated documents and makes sure the inventory of the archival holdings is updated. He undertakes research on specific topics assigned by the Archivists from the available materials at the AAM. He also inspects the archival boxes and the microfilm cabinets taking note of those which need immediate conservation attention. At least once a week, he engages in minor restoration practices under supervision by the Chemist Conservator. He also takes care of administrative files such as office revenues, purchases, requirements etc. including corresponds and inquiries.

The Lab Aide attends to the daily monitoring of temperature and humidity conditions in the Stack room and to the cleanliness thereat and the entire Archives Office. He undertakes encapsulation, dehumidification, fumigation and photodocumentation of the archival materials. He is also assigned to segregate adhering documents, to clean them using a soft brush and, to apply first aid by way of a lining tissue used as a temporary backing for the fragile and powdery paper.

The Translator-Cataloguer makes complete translations for short documents which are mainly Spanish. Summary translations are done for long ones. To facilitate retrieval or tracing, documents are classified into decrees (papal, royal, episcopal, government) directives, correspondence, reports, petitions, including date, provenance, author or source. This is part of the modernization program of the AAM, not to mention that it makes archival holdings as accessible as possible. Each document is given an access code indicating shelf number/location and row, box number, folder/book number, archival document number of folios or folio number. Example:1.B.51.1434 f.432. The document referred to is in Shelf 1, Row B, Box No.5, Folder No. 1, Document No. 1,434, and Folio No. 432.

The volunteers who come to give assistance to the Archives undertake either minor conservation works, encoding, cataloguing and indexing jobs, etc. They are given daily allowances to cover for their meals and transportation expenses.

Services

Research Services

The facilities of the Archdiocesan Archives are open for use by those, who comply with the requirements mentioned in the Guidelines for Research.  Finding Aids are available to facilitate their search for materials. An AAM staff is available to assist them in their needs.

Conservation Works

There are over 3M records at the Archives that need to be restored.  The AAM laboratory is headed by a Chemist-Conservator, who specialized in Italy and Austria in the field of Paper Conservation of documents and other works of art.

Extension Services

As part of the commitment to educate and promote awareness of the preservation of our cultural heritage among the clergy and laity, extension services in terms of  giving Technical Assistance, Trainings and Seminars, and Observation Tours are provided, if necessary.

Technical Assistance

The AAM provides technical assistance related to conservation of paper documents and other art works.  Free consultations are made available to interested individuals whenever the schedule would permit. All requests are referred to the Chemist Conservator. It is open to members of the Archdiocese of Manila, other dioceses and private individuals or institutions, who require such service.

Trainings and Seminars

Trainings and seminars are also given by special arrangement to include: 

• Seminars for Parish Secretaries on “Management of Church Records and Archives”
• Seminar on “Paper Conservation”
• Seminar on “Classical Bookbinding”
• Seminar on “Setting up Museums and Libraries”

Observation Tours

Observation tours or group visits are also entertained occasionally. Interested parties may request for permission in writing from the Director of the Archives.

Research Section

AAM continues to serve an increasing  number of  Filipino and foreign researchers who are interested in various research topics.  The main functions of the  Research Section are as follows:

Appraisal and Acquisition

Non-current records from the different offices of RCAM are evaluated and appraised by the archivist. Those with archival value are brought to AAM

Arrangement and Description of Archival Holdings into Record Groups

Archival documents brought to the AAM are classified according to Record Groups and Series before being placed in folders and stored in boxes at the AAM stackroom

Access & Reference

Graduate, Postgraduate students and Professional Researchers may be admitted to the Archives  upon approval of their application. A letter of request is submitted to the Director of the Archives, who endorses their application to the Local Ordinary or  his representative.

Conservation Section

The Archdiocesan Archives of Manila is active in conservation works. When the AAM office was transferred to the Arzobispado Building in 1987, a Conservation program was launched to preserve and restore the remaining holdings. With over millions of records to restore, AAM faces a giant task in the field of cons ervation.

The scope of the Conservation Program include:

• Preventive Conservation –  Storage of documents at environmentally controlled area, including regulated temperature, humidity and lighting
• Curative Conservation – Actual treatments such as deacidification and fumigation

With only a limited number of personnel to conserve the voluminous documents, majority of the work load is concentrated on first aid preservation treatments or minor conservation.  Paper acidity, which is said to be the main cause of deterioration, comes from four main sources for which the conservation schemes developed at the AAM are focused:

1. Residual chemicals and impure or inferior materials used in the paper manufacturing process,
2. Prolonged contact with other acidic materials,
3. Poor environmental conditions, including polluted air, and
4. Acidic degradation products

While preservation arrests or slows down deterioration, restoration or full conservation further attempts to bring back deteriorated paper to its original form, durability and chemically stable condition. But, the latter is rather time consuming and costly. However, in comparison to international standards, the cost of conservation of documents in the Philippines is much less expensive. Minor conservation which is sufficient to enable the continued safe use of documents costs no less than $50/documents (which is usually per folio) in the U.S.A. as against P300 (US$10) in the Philippines. Full conservation which includes chemical treatment and repair done to minimize visual intrusiveness of paper, that is, so that the document would not only be stabilized but would look like its original condition, costs several hundreds to more than a thousand US$/document in the U.S.A as against a few thousand pesos. (Abbey Newsletter; Feb. '90) Costing is usually based on the extensiveness of treatment and the condition of the document.

The preservation measures undertaken at the AAM Lab include: a) environmental control of the stackroom, b) segregation or sorting of documents which are already adhering to each other, c) the application of a lining tissue as backing on powdery documents (ave. 50 folios or leaves/month) d) the encapsulation of brittle documents with Mylar polyester sheets (ave. 250 folios/month), and e) the fumigation of 4 archival boxes in the improvised fumigation cupboard every two weeks.

To monitor the daily temperature and relative humidity, the stackroom which is approximately 170 sq. meters in area, with its 3 air-con units (2HP@) and 3 dehumidifiers (1/5HP@), is provided with one thermohygrograph and a psychrometer, rotated to different locations 4x/month. Fluctuations are noted and corrected to attain a constant environment near the ideal condition acceptable for paper longevity and for the microfilms to be preserved. Each of the ~700 archival boxes is provided with silica gel crystals in pouches, regenerated every now and then in the lab oven when the color changes from blue to pink, meaning that enough moisture has been absorbed. Acidic air

is also eliminated by way of deacidifiers sprayers in the interior and exterior of the boxes. Light deterioration or photodegradation is controlled by way of a light meter which measures light levels, making sure that they are within the acceptable lux for paper.

Research and development is not undermined at the Conservation Section. With the progress in science being increasingly felt, it is not excusable to use already unacceptable methods or materials. Access to recent developments is made possible through memberships and subscriptions to international organizations such as: a) the Institute of Paper Conservation (IPC), b) International Center for the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property in Rome (ICCROM), c) International Institute for Conservators in London (IIC), d) Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI), e) Pulp and Paper International (PPI), f) Conservation Information Network, and g) the Abbey Newsletter.

The Conservation Section is also a member of the Philippine Association for Scientific Conservation, Incorporated (PASCON) with Ms. Maita M. Reyes as the founding President; and the Manila Archdiocesan Commission for the Conservation of the Patrimony of Church Art and History (MACC), which Fr.Ruperto Santos spearheaded.

Books, journals, technical reports and conference proceedings are acquired regularly as reference materials. Among the more recent updates are: a)the use of Argon (an inert gas) as a safe non-toxic pest control for books (de Cesare: Abbey Newsletter, Feb. '90), b) the manufacture of Paper Washing Machines in Austria which can clean, deacidify, bleach, and disinfect a great number of sheets of paper or books, c) the control of foxing by keeping the iron left on paper in its insoluble form (Margaret Haye: Budapest Conference 1990), d) the development of computerized leafcasting by Dr. Helmut Bansa of the State Library of Munich, and e) the signing of the Permanent Paper Law in the U.S.A. on October 12, 1993 whereby acid-free and/or alkaline paper shall be required for use in government documents.

With the high cost of the technology involved, budgetary constraints and the last priority indications, cost effective measures have been introduced in the lab to cope up with the lack of materials and equipment. When acid-free papers ran out, others similar papers are deacidified using a basic solution until a pH between 7.5 to 8 is stabilized. The same is done with silicon to produce silicon release paper. As regards Japanese tissues which are quite expensive, local makers of hand-made papers have been approached to produce similar paper using rice or grass pulp which are abundant in the Philippines. Experiments on thjs are underway. For the thermohygrograph, the graph papers are photocopied and sized with MC, and pen inks are re-wet with available local ink using a syringe when the expensive imported replacement supplies ran out. For moistening very brittle documents, an ordinary vaporizer (P=400/unit) is used as a humidifier. For testing paper weight or grammage, the letter weight scaler (P400/unit) is used, in lieu of the analytical balance (35,000/unit). Before the tacking iron and the archival aids tool kits were acquired, a very small portable flat iron was used.

Among the possible contributions of the AMM Lab to the field of paper conservation are: a) the "Paste and Tissue Strips Method" of Preservation, b) the "Fill and Press Method" of book conservation, c) AAM Lab Pressing Technique, and d) "Book Insert Conservation Aid".

There are technical problems encountered in the lab such as when recycled pulp fillers do not match the color of the document, that is, after drying. Further to this, when stain marks appear around the patched areas, the document is thoroughly washed again where some fillers get loose and are removed. Consolidation has to be undone and redone and some original pieces are lost in the process. In dealing with documents previously repaired with "Scotch tape" or heavy layers of brown brittle acidic cellulose adhesive tape, more often than not, the information would already be imprinted on the tape and separated from the paper. In this case, the document is moistened from under to attract water soluble components back to the paper upon drying. The tape is then cautiously removed with a tacking iron. When this is not successful, there in no choice but to leave the tape on the document.

      To date, the Conservation Laboratory of the Archdiocese of Manila continues to progress despite the limitations. And yet, plodding and tedious though the job may be, it has to strive. The documents being preserved and restored are in themselves an impact to our present civilization. Can we remiss in our obligation for their conservation?

Guide for Researchers

This section describes the qualifications of prospective researches, the requirements for research, the rules and regulations to be followed and other related information.

Note: Knowledge in Spanish will facilitate research, since a high percentage of the collection is written in this language.

Who May be Admitted to the Archives

1. Researchers from institutions of higher education and those pursuing scholarly research may be admitted into the Archives.
2. Graduate and Postgraduate students, who are currently enrolled.
3. University students are not admitted except those researching for their thesis. A letter of recommendation from proper university officials is required from them.

Requirements for Research

1. Qualified researches may download the following files from this site:

• Application Form 
• Subject Index
• An alphabetical listing of different topics covered in the archival holding. Includes box locations

  2. Fill in the Application Form and submit it to the Archives together with a letter asking for permission to do research. Address it to:

  Fr. Roy M. Rosales
  Director, Archdiocesan Archives of Manila
  121 Arzobispado St., Intramuros
  P.O. Box 132 Manila, Philippines

Copy furnish:

His Excellency Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin
C/o Msgr.  Roberto Canlas
Chancellor, Chancery Office
121 Arzobispado St., Intramuros
P.O. Box 132 Manila, Philippines

3.     State the following in your application for permission:

• Full name and address of the applicant
• Institution to which the same is affiliated
• Purpose of the research
• Subject matter of the research
• Duration of the proposed research
• Need for photocopy or the like and/or intention to publish

4.      Professional researches must present a certification from the person or institution, who contracted their services for research at the Archives. They must also present a valid I.D.

5.      Graduates and Postgraduate students, who are currently enrolled must present a valid school I.D. and a certification from their adviser or moderator.

6.      A reference interview may be conducted to ascertain some information provided in the form. The applicant may only begin consulting the archival documents once the application is approved.

7.      Once your application is approved, the researcher is subject to the regulations of the AAM.

Research Hours

1. The Archdiocesan Archives of Manila is open for research only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8:30am to 11:30am and 1:30pm to 4:30pm.
2. Once your application is approved, please arrange a schedule for research with the AAM staff in-charge.
3. Submit the subject or topics of research to the AAM staff in-charge, who alone is authorized to have access to the Stack Room and bring out the documents to the Search Room.

Schedule of Fees

Particulars                                Fee

Research Free                           PHP 75/day or
                                                 PHP 50 for use of the Archives                                                  for less than two hours.
Manual Genealogy  Search        PHP 75/hour
Photocopies                               PHP 2/page (8” x 13” and 8” x 11”)
                                                  PHP 5/page (A3)
Microfilm printout                       PHP 10/page
Color photographs                     PHP 100/image
Color slides                                PHP 120/image

Restricted Documents

Researchers may study the records before 1930, except for the contents of the following:

1. Box 14.A.1 to Box 22.A.1 – Informaciones Matrimoniales
2. Box 23.A.2 – Asuntos Esponsales/Casos Matrimoniales
3. Box 23.B.4 to Box 23.B.6 – Demandas Sobre Divorcio
4. Box 33.C.7 to Box 33.C.8 – Abjurations, Retractions and Conversions
5. Box 41.A.1 to Box 42.E.13 – Asuntos Civiles, Asuntos Criminales, Casos Morales

Rules and Regulations for Research

1. The researcher is limited to three (3) folders  at a time.
2. Records may not be checked out of the Archives.
3. The researcher is allowed to use only pencil for taking notes. Use of fountain pens, ball-point pens and any other marking pen is prohibited.
4. Researchers are prohibited to write on the documents, or on any of the containers holding them. Mutilation and defacement of documents will result in the immediate cancellation of research privileges.
5. Eating, drinking, or smoking is strictly prohibited in the research area.
6. The researcher will respect the fragile nature of the records. Care must be exercised not to exert any pressure on records, such as resting an arm on a document or by writing notes on paper placed on top of any record.
7. The use of certain records is restricted by Canon Law or Civil Law, by reason of their origin, or by donors. For the protection of its records, the Archives also reserves the right to restrict the use of documents which are confidential in nature, are not arranged, are of exceptional value, or are fragile. See section on Restricted Records.
8. Sacramental registers, i.e., Baptismal, Marriage and Confirmation books are not open for consultation by the general public. The Archives, for a fee, may conduct genealogical searches provided the requesting party provides several information for commencing the search specifically, full names and dates when a sacrament was performed. A report detailing the number and kind of records consulted/per day and the outcome of the search will be prepared by the Archives staff. Reproduction cost shall be borne by the researcher.
9. The researcher is not allowed to rearrange the record collection that one is working on. Papers are generally in chronological or some other established order. If each item in a folder is turned like a page, the existing order in the folder will be preserved.  Please notify an AAM staff if any misfiled paper, or item in need of conservation.
10. A researcher may request an AAM staff to photocopy a maximum of 50 sheets/research day, if necessary, on the condition that this act can be done without causing any injury to the records, and that no copyright restrictions are violated.
11. Cost of photocopies shall be borne by the researcher. Photocopies may not be reduplicated or deposited elsewhere without the prior written consent of the Archivist. Supplying a photocopy is not an authorization to publish, air, broadcast in any mass medium, cable television or the internet.
12. Researchers are not allowed to photograph or scan the documents. However, you may request for this service, if necessary.  The Archives staff may photograph a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 36 images for print or slides, when this can be done without harm to the records.
13. Records may not be checked out of the Archives.
14. The researcher assumes full responsibility of conforming to the laws of libel and copyright, which  may be involved in one’s use of any record preserved at the Archives. The researcher further agrees, by signing the Application, to hold harmless the Archives and its staff against all claims and actions arising out of one’s use of the records.
15. PERMISSION TO PUBLISH, AIR IN PRINT, BROADCAST MEDIA, CABLE TELEVISION, THE INTERNET OR ANY OTHER MEDIUM, ANY RECORDS IN ITS ENTIRETY OR A SUBSTANTIAL PORITON THEREOF MUST BE REQUESTED IN WRITING FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE ARCHIVES AND COPY FURNISH THE CHANCELLOR, AS THE LOCAL ORDINARY’S REPRESENTATIVE, PRIOR TO PUBLICATION/AIRING. THE RESEARCHER HAS THE SOLE, LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR OBTAINING THIS PERMISSION

Finding Aids

To facilitate research, Finding Aids are readily available the Archives. A researcher, who  wishes to consult any available Finding Aid may simply request an AAM staff for assistance.

Some of the more important and commonly used Finding Aids are as follows:

Archives of the Archdiocese of Manila: A Summary Inventory by Sr. Maria Rita Ferraris, RVM. Manila. AAM, 1981

Archdiocesan Archives of Manila: A Catalogue of Archival Documents, Testimonies and Holdings by Rev. Fr. Ruperto Santos. Manila. RCAM, 1994.

Anales Ecclesiasticos de Philipinas (1574 – 1862) : Ecclesiastical Annals of the Philippines.  Edited by Rev. Fr. Ruperto Santos and translated to English by Professor Andres Pelingo. 2 Volumes.

AAM Indices

• Title Index (Abjurations – Youth Issue)
• Date Index (1573 – 1926)
• Name Index (Abad – Yusi)
• Place Index (Abucay – Vigan)

Subject Index for AAM prepared by Paolo Colabres in 1999. This is available in *.PDF format and is downloadable from this site.

• Title Index based on box titles or Record Group – Series prepared  for AAM by Sr. Ma. Rita Ferraris, RVM.

AAM Microfilm catalogue in 3 volumes.

• Vol. 1 – Non-genealogical Records (1573 – 1959)
• Vol. 2 – Genealogical Records (Archives: 1615 – 1955)
• Vol. 3 – Genealogical Records

MANILA ARCHDIOCESAN COMMISSION FOR THE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF THE CHURCH

Our Vision

A high level of consciousness, appreciation and concern of the cultural heritage of the Archdiocese of Manila among the hierarchy of the Church, clergy and the laity.

Our Mission

To promote proper stewardship of the cultural heritage of the Archdiocese of Manila, since we recognize  that these are instruments for evangelization and pastoral services.

As Pope John Paul II reminded members of the Pontifical Commission, “If we want to insert the cultural heritage in the dynamic dimension of evangelization, we cannot limit ourselves just to their protection, it is also necessary to activate them in an organic and wise program of promotion in order to include them in the vital circuits of the cultural and pastoral action of the Church.”  It is within this context that the Pontifical Commission and Diocesan Commission operate.

Each area of cultural heritage of the church must not simply represent signs of a historical tradition, but its meaning must come alive to enrich the spiritual formation of the faithful. All conservation measures taken to allow this tradition to continue in time should be accompanied by an effort or contextualization of the object created as a reflection of the faith and religious piety of the local community. Through the object preserved, the faithful should better understand his identity within the Church community. The preservation and promotion of the cultural heritage of the Church must become a vehicle of cohesion among all members of the Church community and evangelization within the Church community.

Three Areas of Priority:

1. Adequate basic training and formation of both clergy and lay people, who have been appointed to look after and work in the field – cultural heritage of the Church.
2. Adequate programs of inventory and cataloguing as an essential preventive measure against disbursement, theft and destruction.
3. The strengthening of communication channels in order to create a spirit of cooperation and support among those who are working or involved in this field, and to allow for a periodical exchange of communication and information.  In addition, promote closer relations of mutual understanding and cooperation with civil authorities.

Other Areas of Concern:

1. The need to look after proper maintenance and develop practical guidelines to collect-display-protect collections. (Preparation of a Maintenance Manual)
2. The need to get lay people involved and make them understand that they are carrying out a specialized apostolate. (Creation of Parish Cultural Heritage Commission)
3. The need to look after and protect authenticity as a primary concern of the work of conservation, preservation, renovation. (Church monuments and sites)
4. The need to integrate the new with the old according to a carefully thought out aesthetic scheme that is in tune with the liturgical needs and worship practices of the local Church community.
5. The fundamental need of providing proper heritage education of clergy – lay people-school children (Catechetical training) – entire community.
6. The need to develop joint efforts uniting civil authorities and local Church officials.
7. The mandatory essential need to inventory and catalogue immovables and movables.
8. The need to carefully discern, evaluate, preserve and enhance the value of Church movables, keeping in mind the essential and mandatory “in situ” approach; focusing on an awareness raising that is not object-centered but goes beyond the object as a sign of the faith of the communication aspect that must be maintained as a fundamental criteria of Church museum collections.
9. The need to develop a capillary system of protection involving the parish communities – to educate them to develop a deeper awareness of their heritage.

ARCHDIOCESE OF MANILA MUSEUM

Tel: 527-7631 to 36 loc. 204; 222; 527-5838
Director: Fr. Albert Flores

The Archdiocese of Manila Museum (AMM) was set up in 1987.  It occupies an area of 350 square meters, located adjacent to the Archdiocesan Archives office at the 3^rd floor of the Arzobispado Building, Intramuros Manila. The first director of the museum was Msgr. Jose Abriol, the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Manila.  Initial items displayed in the museum were from Msgr. Abriol’s personal collections and church treasures of the Archdiocese of Manila, which were kept in the vault bank. These included gifts to the Archbishops of Manila from royalties and important Spanish personalities. In addition, he also purchased other antiques of religious significance through the generous support of the Basilica of Black Nazarenee in Quiapo, Manila. By 1989, there were more than 100 pieces of objects in the collection.

In 1993, Rev. Fr. Ruperto Santos, was appointed Assistant Director of the Museum. He initiated the documentation of collections and developed the theme,  “Philippine Church History” as the Museum’s permanent exhibit. This theme was prepared for the quadricentennial celebration  of the Archdiocese of Manila in 1995. It was during this time that the Museum was graced by a visit from His Holiness Pope John Paul II.

In 1998, Rev. Fr. Jose Peregrino Tomas was appointed as Director of the Archdiocesan Archives and Museum. He took special interest in museum works. Although his term as Director was short-lived, he made several acquisitions for the museum and greatly contributed in re-organizing its collections.

Today, the task of  improving the Archdiocese of Manila Museum  rests on the shoulders of Fr. Roy Rosales, who serves as its Director.