Pamana sa Mata ng mga … Bata? (Heritage in the Eyes of the … Child?): A Phenomenological Study on the Experiences of Student Tour Guides on Heritage Sustainability – The Case of San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, Philippines

ABSTRACT

This qualitative phenomenological research explicated the new generation’s perspectives and experiences, specifically the student tour guides of San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, on heritage sustainability. Specifically, it determined how the student tour guides learned and understood the different cultural and heritage resources and discussed their views and recommendations on the significance, conservation, and safeguarding of their cultural and heritage resources. The chosen participants of the study were composed of the student tour guides assigned at the Museo San Nicoleño. Observation and Virtual Focus Group Discussion (VFGD) were done on the sixteen (n = 16) active participants to gather the needed information. The repertory grid and thematic network analysis through data-driven development were used as the mode of analysis. Strict implementation of ethical standards was executed in the research fieldwork, such as proper orientation to the parents and the students, and the issuance of the parental consent forms. The study suggested that the children concentrated on the concept of how and what they learned about their local culture and heritage, how they participated in different programs and projects, what are their aspirations and promises, proposed actions to be taken by the children as game-changers of the society, and their perspectives on the available conservation and safeguarding efforts provided by the stakeholders. The findings are summarized using the BuaboBuabo Framework on Children Experiences and Participation on Local Culture and Heritage.

KEYWORDS:

• Children
• heritage significance
• interpretation
• Philippines
• safeguarding
• San Nicolas
• sustainability
• tour guiding

Acknowledgements

The researcher would like to express his sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Municipal Government of San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, headed by Hon. Alfredo P. Valdez, Jr., M.D. together with Mr. Richie Gielbys B. Cavinta, the Municipal Tourism Operations Officer, Prof. Belinda V. de Castro, Ph.D., the Director of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Research Center for Social Sciences and Education, Assoc. Prof. Atty. Gezzez Giezi G. Granado, DCL, CHE, the Dean of the UST College of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Assoc. Prof. Eric B. Zerrudo, Ph.D. and Ms. Beverly M. Bautista of the UST Graduate School – Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the Tropics, Asst. Prof. Maria Regina Policarpio-Arriero, MA of the UST Department of English, Dr. Rolen A. Oracion, the Principal of San Nicolas Elementary School, and Mrs. Madeline T. Nicolas, Mr. Jan-Jan R. Decano, and Mr. Jonathan L. Macatbag, the Advisers of San Nicolas Youth Museum Guides.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by University of Santo Tomas Research Center fo Social Sciences and Education ; the Municipal Government of San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, Philippines ; the Department of Education School Division of Ilocos Norte, Philippines ; and the San Nicolas Elementary School .