The Sipaway Ecotourism Workers Association (SETWA) members are mapping the cultural heritages of Brgys. San Juan and Ermita in Sipaway Island wrapped up yesterday, Oct. 6.
The mapping activity which began on Oct. 5 is the third phase of the series of activities for the Island Community-Based Ecotourism Project, aimed at establishing the cultural significance and identity of cultural heritage resources using the gathered data.
On the first day, San Carlos City Tourism Consultant Joselito Costas emphasized to the participants that with cultural mapping, they will understand the present condition of the resource, know how the resource is being used, and identify and express their meanings and values.
Costas added cultural heritage tourism serves local cuisine, uses interpretation for authenticity, employs local people, travels to cultural attractions away from their normal place of residence, and intends to gather new information and experiences to satisfy the cultural needs hence, the full support and will of the community are beneficial factors in effectively interpreting and sustaining the tourism activity.
Costas also discussed the Philippine Laws on Heritage, principles of successful and sustainable community-based cultural heritage tourism, heritage, and heritage categories.
Former Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) and SETWA member Jesus Lu Sandoval is grateful to participate in the activity since he learned so many things about cultural heritage.
He also thanked the Tourism Office and Costas for guiding the participants to learn and sustain that learning for future generations. (PR)