Wherever I am, the world comes after me.
It offers me its busyness. It does not believe that I do not want it.
Now I understand why the old poets of China went so far
and high into the mountains, then crept into the pale mist.
"The Old Poets of China" by Mary Oliver

International Symposium on Cultural Tourism and Heritage Studies 2024

Details
The inaugural International Symposium on Cultural Tourism and Heritage Studies is organized for scholars, practitioners, and stakeholders with the aim of exploring the dynamics of culture, heritage, and tourism. In this symposium, authors present their research, insights, and expertise in the global discourse on cultural heritage within the context of tourism experiences in Southeast Asia. The plenary sessions will be held on March 6-7, 2024, at The Evitel Resort Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.

PLENARY SESSIONS

PANEL 1: Urban Landscapes

"Experiential Cultural Tourism: Designing sustainable walking tours in the University of the Philippines Diliman"
       Milovy Mariel R. Baduria
       University of the Philippines Asian Institute of Tourism
       Co-authors: Sarah L. Briones and Maria Rose J. Manalo

"In Recto-spect: Investigating the Present Landscape Character and Public Perception of the Recto-Avenida-Carriedo Strip"
       Leijh Hanne Y. Alianza
       College of Architecture, University of the Philippines Diliman
       Co-author: Cathe Desiree S. Nadal, Ph.D.

"The opportunities and threats for Koreatown in Malate’s historic urban landscape"
       Rajee S. Florido
       UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines

"Grassroots-led Cultural Heritage Tourism: The Case of Pasig City’s Cultural Heritage Walking Tour"
       Francis Gabriel O. Santos
       University of Santo Tomas
       Co-authors: Jared Carlo L. Echevarria, Charlon Adrian C. Ruiz, and Genesis Khen A. Demano

PANEL 2: Heritage Studies and Documentation

"Text, Image and Movement: The Legacy of Miguel Covarrubias in Balinese Dance"
       Matthew M. Santamaria, Doctor of Law<
       Asian Center, University of the Philippines Diliman
"Folk or Faux: How Historical Documents Counter the Narratives Promulgated by Leyte Towns’ Historical Tales, Tourism Campaigns, Identity Formations, and Festivals"
       Efmer E. Agustin
       University of the Philippines Tacloban
"The Plant Atriums in the UPM - Museum of a History of Ideas and the Biocultural Heritage of Ermita"
       Honey Libertine Achanzar-Labor, Ph.D.
       University of the Philippines Manila

PANEL 3: Local Government Development Strategies

"Expectation vs. reality: Philippine local tourism officers’ perceived constraints in effective tourism governance"
       Sarah L. Briones
       University of the Philippines Asian Institute of Tourism
       Co-author: Reil G. Cruz

"Developing the Tourism Attraction Potential of the Wulla Poddu Traditional Ceremony as Cultural Tourism in West Sumba"
       Bagus Syarifuddin Latif, S.H., M.H.
       Fakultas Ekonomi dan Bisnis Prodi Pariwisata, Universitas Nasional
       Co-authors: Rai Riya and Elisa Maria Yuliana
 "Development Strategy of Heritage Tourism Destinations of Surakarta Palace"
       Irma Setyawati, S.E., M.M., CPF
       Fakultas Ekonomi dan Bisnis Universitas Nasional
       Co-authors: Lisa Sarinah, Heni Suryanti, Rizki Nurul Nugraha, Dyah Handayani Dewi, and Delila Rambe

PANEL 4: Heritage Policy and Case Studies

"A Case Study on Preserving Cultural Heritage Sites: The Role of Local Government Unit in Naga City, Camarines Sur"
       Anne Marie F. Bagadion, Ph.D.
       Ateneo de Naga University
       Co-authors: Juan Raul D.L. Relloso and Juan Bautista Janthe B. Bagadion

"Talapamana ng Pilipinas: A Case Study of Initiating and Operationalizing the Philippine Registry of Cultural Property, 2015-2020"
       Bernardo M. Arellano III
       University of the Philippines Los Baños
       Co-author: Stephen John A. Pamorada

"Batik Cultural Heritage: A Case Analysis of Indonesia and Malaysia’s Trademark and Copyright Laws"
       Elisor C. Guieb, Jr.
       Polytechnic University of the Philippines
"Soul of Place: A Case Study on the Loboc Children’s Choir and the Promotion of the Intangible Heritage of Loboc & Bohol as Part of the Visitor Experience"
       Jess Immanuel J. Espina
       University of the Philippines Diliman

PANEL 5: Conservation Efforts

"PUSAKA’ PANGADATTAN BANGSA: Photo and Video Documentation of Tabawan Heritage and Tourism by engaging the community and the Local Government of South Ubian, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines"
       Omarjan I. Jahuran
       South Ubian Local Council on Tourism, Culture and Arts
       Co-author: Paul Allyson R. Quiambao
"Flowing Down Magat River: The Story of Five Tributaries"
       Nathaniel A. Aliguyon
       Nueva Vizcaya State University Bayombong
       Co-authors: Joan A. Piñon, Romana P. Dulnuan, and Elson Boie B. Tumaneng
"The Turumba “Museums”: The Presentation of Religious Art and Treasures of Pakil Church"
       Hanzel F. Gapayao
       De La Salle University Manila

"Museo Sugbo: The museum as a source of pride, a link for intercultural dialogue and a tool for economic development"
       Trizer Dale D. Mansueto
       University of the Philippines Cebu

PANEL 6: Festivals and Intangible Cultural Heritage

"Festival work as community work: The making of the Adow ne Domaget (Dumagat Day) 2018 Festival in Dingalan, Aurora, Philippines, a case towards a sustainable community-based festival-making practice"
       Roselle V. Pineda
       Aurora Artist Residency Program and Space

"Savoring Culture: Exploring the Origins, Cultural Preservation, and Symbolical Tapestry of Baler Suman (Filipino Rice Cake)"
       Melissa Grace P. Nacino
       Aurora State College of Technology
"The Mari-it in the Selected Twelve Folktales of Malay, Aklan"
       April Rose I. Nalangan
       University of the Philippines Open University

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Hon. Maria Belen S. Acosta, CESE
Secretary, Mindanao Development Authority
Signing Minister, BIMP-EAGA
Secretary Maria Belen S. Acosta serves as the Chairperson of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), taking a leading role in coordinating various initiatives crucial for the socio-economic advancement of Mindanao. In this capacity, she collaborates with national agencies, local government units, non-government organizations, civil society organizations, and development partners. Additionally, she holds the role of the Philippine Signing Minister for the BIMP-EAGA economic cooperation, representing the country in this regional initiative. Before her tenure as MinDA Secretary, she had a notable career as a City Councilor in Davao City, where she initiated youth and sports development programs, as well as livelihood skills training for women's groups. She received recognition for her contributions, including the TESDA Kabalikat Award and being named one of the Ten Outstanding Councilors of the Philippines in 2009.

ISCTHS SECRETARIAT

Matthew M. Santamaria, Doctor of Law
Co-Chairperson, ISCTHS Secretariat
Professor and Assistant to the Dean for Cultural Affairs
Asian Center, University of the Philippines Diliman
Honey Libertine Achanzar-Labor, Ph.D.
Co-Chairperson, ISCTHS Secretariat
Professor, University of the Philippines Manila
Special Assistant to the Chancellor for the Museum of a History of Ideas

 COLLABORATORS

Asian Center Museum, University of the Philippines Diliman
The Asian Center Museum started as a museum laboratory of the then Philippine Center for Advanced Studies. Inaugurated in 1973 under the purview of renowned Filipino anthropologist F. Landa Jocano, it was envisioned to provide instruction to students of Philippine Studies in the fields of ethnography and archaeology. It now serves as the Asian Center’s own hub for culture and the arts. The museum houses a wide range of artworks and artifacts from the Philippines and other Asian countries, including a collection of sculpture, pottery, basketry, weaponry, farming and hunting implements, clothing, textile, jewelry, and musical instruments. The museum mounts regular exhibitions that showcase the Asian Center Art and Ethnographic Collection and complement institutional events such as performances, recitals, and book launches in line with the cultural program of the Asian Center.
Museum of a History of Ideas, University of the Philippines Manila
The UP Manila Museum of a History of Ideas is the first museum to be established at the UP Manila Campus. The heritage building of the College of Dentistry building, erected in 1931 and restored by the Architectural firm of Eduardo Calma for adaptive reuse, stands now as home to this museum. The museum honors the university’s pivotal role in the emergent nation. The current installation of the permanent exhibit explores the Ideas the university was associated with during its first decades, when critical developments associated with the formation of a nation, and the emergence of the sovereign citizen became the defining feature of modern life.
Springer
Springer is a leading global scientific, technical and medical portfolio, providing researchers in academia, scientific institutions and corporate R&D departments with quality content through innovative information, products and services. It has one of the strongest STM and HSS eBook collections and archives, as well as a comprehensive range of hybrid and open access journals and books under the SpringerOpen imprint. Springer is part of Springer Nature, a global publisher that serves and supports the research community. (Excerpt from Springer website)
The Faura Project
As an organization that aims to position Padre Faura Street as a heritage zone, The Faura Project magnifies long-overlooked issues across fields through events and programs that focus on heritage conservation and other related issues along Padre Faura Street and Ermita, Manila that are taken for granted. At the core of the project is the awareness that the promotion of heritage can be best undertaken if its culture-bearers increase their awareness of heritage and thus, pride of place.
Bunga Artslink Media Production
Bunga Artslink was founded in 2004 as a group of Sama and non-Sama performing artists, researchers, and indigenous peoples engaged with research, production and practice of the Igal and Pansak dance and music traditions of the Sama peoples. For any organization interested in Sama culture, Bunga Artslink provides educational experiences with members of the community. Leading the group is Dr. Matthew Santamaria, one of the Philippines’ most well-known scholars on Philippine and Asian Dance Forms.

SPRINGER BOOK PRIZE FOR BEST PAPER

The International Symposium on Cultural Tourism and Heritage partners with Springer, a leading publisher of global scientific, technical and medical portfolio, for the awarding of the Springer Book Prize for Best Paper as a culmination to this inaugural symposium.
The Best Paper is selected based on the following criteria: (a) innovation and contribution to the advancement of the field; (b) clarity and appropriateness of research design, data collection techniques, and analysis methods; (c) Relevance within the existing literature and applicability in the ongoing discourse in cultural tourism and heritage studies; and (d) overall coherence and style of the manuscript.
The winner, to be announced at the closing of the symposium, shall receive a certificate and a book voucher from Springer.
For inquiries, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Asian Center, University of the Philippines Diliman offers M.A. degrees in Asian Studies with four fields of specialization: Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and West Asia. The UP Asian Center also has an M.A. program in Philippine Studies that allows students to major in Philippine society and culture, Philippine foreign relations, or Philippine development studies. It also offers a Ph.D. program in Philippine Studies in conjunction with the College of Arts and Letters and the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy. For an overview of these graduate programs, click here. As an area studies institution, the Asian Center also publishes Asian Studies: Journal of Critical Perspectives on Asia, the latest issue of which can be downloaded at the journal's website. For other news and upcoming events at the Asian Center, click here.