Research Defense

• Importance of preserving indigenous cultures

  • Particularly their intangible aspects like music and dance, which are vital components of cultural identity
  • Cultural erosion caused by factors like globalization and discrimination, which threaten these traditions
  • Digital era offers new opportunities for preservation, but challenges remain in documenting and protecting these cultural legacies
• Strategies and technologies used globally to preserve indigenous cultures

  • Advanced 3D technologies
  • Government funding for cultural heritage management
  • Programs integrating communities into sustainable practices
• Cultural awareness and sensitivity

  • Concerns about cultural appropriation
  • Lack of awareness among mainstream populations
• Specific examples from places like the Philippines and Malaysia

  • Challenges faced by indigenous communities, such as limited access to education and exploitation of cultural heritage
• Efforts to document and educate about these cultures are essential for preserving and promoting awareness
• The need for ongoing research and action plans to preserve indigenous cultures is emphasized
• Initiatives like compiling playlists of music and dance traditions

  Aims to deepen understanding and appreciation of indigenous cultures and their unique heritage
• Intercultural Communication Theory


  • Helps in understanding how cultural exchange dynamics work, particularly through mediums like dance and music
  • Highlights how these art forms facilitate the preservation and sharing of cultural heritage by bridging cultural differences and fostering understanding
• Community Cultural Development Framework


  • Focuses on empowering communities to take ownership of and promote their cultural heritage
  • By utilizing dance and music within this framework, these artistic expressions become powerful tools for cultural preservation, intergenerational connection, and fostering cultural pride within the Aeta community
• Research Design


  • Arts-based research (infuses performing arts into scholarly inquiry to advance knowledge)
  • Stands along constructivism theory (theory based on observation of how people learn which is through construction of knowledge based on experiences)
• Research Locale and Participants

  • The study will be conducted in Botolan Zambales within the Aeta community of LAKAS Bihawo
  • Purposive sampling will be used to recruit 10-20 individuals from LAKAS Bihawo who have experience in performing native or local music and dances and are at least 18 years old
• Data Gathering Procedure


  1. Obtaining Permission and Building Relationships

  2. Engaging in Open Dialogue

  3. Recording and Transcription

  4. Data Analysis and Archiving

  5. Continuous Collaboration and Feedback

  6. Validation of Playlist
• Narrative analysis


  Qualitative method used to interpret human experiences and motivations by intently examining the stories people disclose in a specific context
• Thematic analysis


  • Qualitative approach that is usually applied to sets of text, for example; interviews
  • To ensure the validity of the analysis, member checking will be utilized
• • The researchers made use of consent forms for participants + asked permission from school to conduct study
  • Consent forms address cultural sensitivity, intellectual property, data privacy, anonymity, community impact
• • The compiled recordings will be submitted to the Cultural Affairs Office (CAO) at DLSZ to reach a broader audience and will also be distributed to schools to educate students about the culture of the LAKAS Bihawo Community
  • From the playlist, we will have possible music concerts