¡VIVA LA VIRGEN! : A STUDY ON THE HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE AND DEVELOPMENT OF RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS AS A BASIS FOR CONCEPTUALIZING A SAFEGUARDING PLAN –  THE CASE OF THE PEÑAFRANCIA FESTIVAL

Jessa Mae Millena Bilason; Margaux Millicent Caguin; Johannah Roce Calma Lazarte; Chariz Steffanie Dejucos Soriano; Kim Nuelle Amleht Tariman Sosito; Joanne May Basan Valmores; Jame Monren Tapalla Mercado

Jessa Mae Millena Bilason Tourism Management Department, College of Tourism and Hospitality Management, University of Santo Tomas
Margaux Millicent Caguin Tourism Management Department, College of Tourism and Hospitality Management, University of Santo Tomas
Johannah Roce Calma Lazarte Tourism Management Department, College of Tourism and Hospitality Management, University of Santo Tomas
Chariz Steffanie Dejucos Soriano Tourism Management Department, College of Tourism and Hospitality Management, University of Santo Tomas
Kim Nuelle Amleht Tariman Sosito Tourism Management Department, College of Tourism and Hospitality Management, University of Santo Tomas
Joanne May Basan Valmores Tourism Management Department, College of Tourism and Hospitality Management, University of Santo Tomas
Jame Monren Tapalla Mercado Tourism Management Department, College of Tourism and Hospitality Management & Research Center for Social Sciences and Education, University of Santo Tomas

Abstract

The study is about the heritage significance and the development that has occurredover the years to religious festivals, to be used as a basis for creating a safeguarding plan. For this study, the proponents will be focusing on the case or the PeñafranciaFestival in Naga City. The proponents will identify the heritage significance that would mainly be on its historical, aesthetic, social, spiritual, symbolical and economic significance only and the developments in the festivals as a religious and communal activity will also be discussed. The perspective of representatives from these different stakeholders, such as: Local Government Unit, Church, Historians, Academe, and the Private Sector on the heritage and development of the PeñafranciaFestival will also be asserted. The proponents used qualitative approach for the study, with the use of in-depth interviews with the stakeholders, and collection of data from different sources like, archives. After a rigorous data gathering and research, the proponents were able to identify the different heritage significances of the festival in its long existence, and that the stakeholders agree that the development that has and will transpire are not damaging to the essence of the festival, if assessed thoroughly. Because of this, the proponents concluded that a safeguarding plan is necessary to ensure the preservation of the festival in the long run and that this study can be used as a basis.