FROM IFUGAO TO CHINA: PUPIANS CLINCH TOP RESEARCH AWARD ON INTERNATIONAL STAGE

BY JOANNA MARTINEZ | PHOTOS BY TEAM TANGLAW & ASIAN CULTURAL HERITAGE YOUTH FORUM

FROM Batad, Ifugao to Zhuhai, China, Team Tanglaw lived up to their project’s tagline, to illuminate light to every Filipino as a guide to the path of hope unto a better future for the environment, community, and economy and to help rethink tourism in Banaue Rice Terraces– one of the Philippines’ renowned heritage site.

Team Tanglaw is a group of Tourism Management students who bagged the “Most Outstanding Proposal” at the 1st Asian Cultural Heritage Conservation and Utilization Research Proposal Competition which was attended by 20 groups of students from Asia held at Sun Yat-sen University, China on April 23.

The group is composed of Christine Joy Isidro, Aaron Paul Fuellas, Jillian Cathreen Tiamzon, Kent Charles Monteza, Marianne Valerie J. Casala, and John Gil Concepcion.

Isidro explained that they began their research proposal in November 2022, deciding to do their fieldwork in Ifugao.

The team visited Ifugao to study the effects of climate change, interviewing locals about their insights on the environmental issue.

Isidro pointed out that the team dug deeper into fieldwork since online research about the effects of climate change in Ifugao Rice Terraces is limited.

The proposal highlighted three pillars of sustainable tourism – the environment, economy, and socio-cultural aspects that helped the team mitigate the impacts of climate change in Batad.

“May practices na naapektuhan iyong farming nila kasi nga, iba-iba ang panahon eh. Minsan sobrang lakas ng ulan at naapektuhan iyong cycle of farming. Then, sa physical aspect, ‘yong mga nasisirang terraces dahil sa mga pests and pinaka nakita namin ‘yong irrigation system nila is natutuyo. Then, ‘yong landslides.”

IGNITING THE LIGHT OF TEAM TANGLAW

Team Tanglaw disclosed that Ifugao and its people inspired them to preserve the heritage site. Fuellas gave a reminder to respect the heritage site as tourists and Filipinos.

“Very hospitable and welcoming ‘yong mga tao. Kung gaano nila nirerespeto yung heritage site, dapat ganoon din ‘yong gawin natin as a tourist at mga Pilipino dahil tayo mismo ‘yong nakakaapekto doon sa heritage site na ito, lalo na sa mga locals.”

Casala also shared that they wanted to spread awareness, especially to the Ifugao youths who are losing interest in continuing their culture and traditions.

“Isa sa mga problems din nila ay nawawalan ng interests ang mga kabataan na ipagpatuloy ‘yong nasimulan ng culture nila, ‘yong iba kasi umaalis sa lugar.”

They revealed that their secret formula for success was “Travel with a Heart and Purpose.”

DIMMING THE LIGHT TO GUIDE ONE’S PATH: A CALL FOR ACTION

Team Tanglaw had to walk through a dim road to compete and win in China. The lack of support from the university almost hindered them from bringing the voice of the Ifugao people to the international stage.

Coach Professor Yolanda Montances revealed that the PUP administration did not support the team financially so she had to borrow from her credit card to push through their trip.

“Walang binigay na financial support ang PUP bago kami umalis so what I did nag-loan ako sa credit card para suportahan iyong ibang ‘di kaya ‘yong airfare which is around 24 to 30k.”

The incident prompted Concepcion to urge the administration to support PUPian representatives competing outside the school, recognizing their demands throughout the process, not just after they have won awards.

Concepcion also emphasized his hope that PUPians can spark conversation about their research paper and do their part in resolving climate change.

“Sana as PUPians and youths we can be involved and engaged more sa mga conversations at sa mga nangyayari. Sana tayo rin we can do something to contribute and advocate for climate change.”

The team has established an organization called PUP Balikhaan that focuses on the protection and preservation of heritage sites in the country. Their website is accessible through Wix, where it showcases their journey and their #RethinkTourism campaign.