"Coding will never be my thing," was the thought boggling my mind as I passed my test paper in Information and Communications Technology. Grasping our lesson in HTML Lists and Frames was difficult for me since we haven't had the time to master these lessons in application. But even though I had this not-so-good memory of this quarter, the thing that excited me the most was the fulfillment of another culture-infused activity, community-based research that focuses on different categories that you randomly choose by luck and by chance. I was the team leader of City of Vigan II, and the category that I was able to pick was arts and culture, and the rest was history.
With my able and proficient teammates, Jericson, Drexel, Ghaveriel, and Ashdeine, we were able to lay out our plans and recommendations for what to do and include in our study. At the end, we decided to do research on the arts and architecture of Vigan.
We started to wander around the city. We asked a lot of business owners and manufacturers of burnay and damili, specifically in Barangays Pagburnayan and Bulala, about the process of making these prized products. The process of obtaining data was laborious, as we tirelessly walked around town with the blazing heat coming from the damilazan.
Finding and identifying different architectural styles present in the city was fun and enlightening because buildings and infrastructure in the vicinity are very different from others in terms of intricately crafted designs and styles. From Ilocano vernacular style to modern style, our group was able to identify the changes in architecture in the city over time, stating its distinguishable attributes and features that make it a whole lot unique and different from others.
In researching the abel industry in Vigan, I found out a lot of things that changed my perspective regarding this one. Abel patterns prominent in the city, namely binakul and kantarinis, are slowly dying. Abel houses and factories around the city, like Rowilda's Handloomweaving, seldom practice weaving with binakul patterns anymore. It was heartbreaking to see this side of the hill, where such patterns in the city are slowly facing "extinction".
On the other hand, in order to increase the accuracy, currency, and validity of the information we ought to include in our study, we visited the City Hall to inquire more about the arts and architecture of Vigan. The staff of the City Cultural Affairs and Tourism Office and the City Engineering Office were accommodating, providing the information we needed with kindness and calmness.
After we had presented our study to the whole class, I felt enlightened and proud to be a Bigueño, for it concerns my cultural roots, and it truly quenched my thirst with regards to more data and information about these arts and architecture of the city. After everything we've gone through, I think the study we conducted, entitled "Doon Po Sa Amin: Nakaraan ang Bida sa Kasalukuyan; Tan-ok iti Artes ken Arkitektura: The Unwaning Treasures of the Fernandine City," sailed out perfectly the way we wanted it to.
Even though this quarter was not the most perfect one yet, it was indeed the most interesting quarter since I was gifted the experience and opportunity to be a part of such an able and amiable group, wherein we were able to discover and deepen our cultural roots together. Inside that 55-page study lives the greatness of the arts and architecture of Vigan, a manifestation of our hard work and determination to preserve, maintain, and conserve these unwaning treasures from the past as we continue our mission to gift them to the next generation. Nothing can sever the roots I had tied, for which I believe that the cultural heritage and identity of the city are what make me who I am today. It is time for us to expand our horizons and embark on new explorations. It is time for the whole world to know the greatness of a Bigueño, a colorful spectacle anyone would never dare to miss.
References:
[1] Real, J. (2023). Untitled Picture. Telegram
[2] Real, J. (2023). Untitled Picture. Telegram
[3] Real, J. (2023). Untitled Picture. Telegram
[4] Real, J. (2023). Untitled Picture. Telegram
[5] Real, J. (2023). Untitled Picture. Telegram
[6] Vera Cruz, E. (2023). Untitled Picture. Facebook Messenger
Congrats for surviving another quarter! Goodluck sa last Q^^
ReplyDeleteThe level of commitment you demonstrated in creating your community-based research is truly exemplary! Your blog exudes a sense of passion and dedication that is a clear indication that this project was more than just a requirement to fulfill, but rather a pursuit to satiate your thirst for knowledge about our municipality's rich culture. Your efforts are truly praiseworthy, bestie!
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