Cultural Learning and Heritage Preservation of the Aetas in Mt. Pinatubo: A Community-Based Cultural Tourism Development Plan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23526762Keywords:
Aeta, community-based cultural tourism, cultural learning, heritage preservation, Indigenous tourism, Mt. PinatuboAbstract
This study examined cultural learning and heritage preservation among the Aeta community of Sitio Tarukan, Mt. Pinatubo, as a basis for a community-based cultural tourism development plan. A mixed descriptive research design was employed, combining quantitative survey data with supporting qualitative interviews, observations, and community-based inquiry. Fifty Aeta community members aged 18–60 years were purposively selected based on their residence in Sitio Tarukan and their knowledge of cultural practices, community activities, or tourism. A researcher-developed questionnaire assessed cultural learning practices, heritage preservation, community involvement, and tourists’ cultural awareness. Frequency and percentage, weighted mean and standard deviation, and Pearson’s r were used to analyze the quantitative data. Results showed high implementation of cultural learning practices (M = 3.56, SD = 0.76), heritage preservation (M = 3.37, SD = 0.79), and tourists’ cultural awareness (M = 3.46, SD = 0.79), while community involvement was comparatively lower (M = 3.25, SD = 0.94). The four components were significantly related to the development of community-based cultural tourism (r = .694, critical value = .247, p < .01). The findings indicate that Aeta cultural continuity is supported by intergenerational learning, elder leadership, heritage protection, respectful visitor behavior, and stronger community participation. A four-component development plan was proposed to strengthen cultural education, heritage documentation, community tourism skills, and mandatory visitor cultural orientation.
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