RRL of Beliefs, Traditions and Cultural Practices in Folklores of Bula, Camarines Sur, Philippines: Basis

for Contextualizing Instructional Materials in Teaching Language and Literature

Asian Journal on Perspectives in Education (AJPE) Online ISSN: 2799-1296 AJPE (2021), Volume 1, Issue 2

Jerald Alpe Bermas Faculty, Universidad de Sta. Isabel

The Bicol region and its many provinces have independently evolved their own set of Cultural norms,
beliefs and superstition going back centuries. Superstition have played a major role in shaping the psyche
of all Filipinos, young and old. Superstitions and how they manifest have rooted itself into the collective
identity of Filipinos, to the point where some of them are considered commonsense.
A study was conducted on the cultural practices and traditions in the town of Bula, Camarines Sur
(Bermas, 2021). Culture and Cultural practices are a major part of our case study, Bermas, 2021 aims to
shed light as to what these how these practices manifest in of the oldest towns of Bicol and how to
contextualize it in a teaching environment. Knowing this gives us insight as to how these beliefs system
affect not only the people of the town but of related sub-cultures as well.
The study was conducted using qualitative content analysis and coding frames in order to properly
analyze the data. The study examined multiple theories, including Functional Theory as the primary
theory, as well as Sapir-Whorf Theory and Theory of Community Practice as supporting principles that
complement the Functional folklore theory.
After collecting the results, a qualitative content analysis was conducted by transcribing and translating
them. Additionally, the study employed a narrative study analysis design to interpret the folkloric stories
shared by the informants. The narratives were collected through a responsive narrative interview, which
included a short questionnaire for the personal demographic profile of the respondents, an interview
guide, a tape recording, and a postscript or interview protocol. This study utilized a methodology that
involved various steps such as identifying relevant materials, structuring main categories, generating
subcategories for each main category, evaluating the category system against collected materials and
theories, and interpreting collected narratives based on their main research questions.
Historically, many centers of population in Bicol have been connected through transportation over land.
Culture has mixed and intermingled throughout the years. These connections become readily apparent
when you consider the findings of the research. Bulaeños share many similarities in their beliefs of
supernatural creatures, paranormal activity, myths and even sayings with the greater Bicol region.
This gives is insight to the shared cultural identity of Bicol. While the research strictly focuses on the
town of Bula itself, inferences can be made as to how their beliefs influenced and in turn were influenced
by other cultures.
Tagubhang: The Lifeblood of Living Traditions
Lourdes Lobis Nieva, Central Bicol State University of Agriculture-Sipocot, Philippines
The Asian Conference on Arts & Humanities 2016
Official Conference Proceedings

How traditions and beliefs evolve and spread their influence not only through generations but regions.
Tagubhang is a literary theory that originated from the oral narrative tradition of the culturally rich district
of Partido in Camarines Sur, Bicol Region, Philippines. It was inspired by the continuous rendition and
performance of these traditions and culture, including that of superstition and similar beliefs, and seeks to
explore their significance in the larger context of literature (Nieva, 2016). The presented study is
descriptive qualitative research that aims to develop a theory on Tagubhang through the use of a theory-
building approach. Its focus is to provide an in-depth explanation of the Tagubhang theory and its
underlying principles.
The term Tagubhang is derived from a word that refers to the process of mending or patching up
something that is torn or damaged, with the goal of strengthening it and prolonging its usefulness. In a
broader sense, the concept of Tagubhang can also be applied to various aspects of life, including
relationships, organizations, and even sociocultural aspect of a society.
By identifying areas of weakness or damage, and taking steps to repair and strengthen them, through
word of mouth and written accounts, beliefs and traditions can be spread all throughput a region,
Tagubhang as a theory states these beliefs can be molded and “strengthened” based on how the people of
a society perceives them. The Tagubhang theory is an important part of the cultural heritage of the Bicol
Region in keeping it’s traditions alive and thriving. If a tradition is continuously patched and strengthened
then it will be passed from generation to generation.
The significance of this study in relation to the shifting landscape of superstitious beliefs between
generations in the Bicol Region is that it offers us insight through a local literary theory as to how these
traditions and beliefs change into what we know them today.
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Many studies have been done on the culture and beliefs and history of the Bicol Region. Despite the
cultural richness of the Bicol region and the widespread prevalence of superstitions and traditional beliefs
among its people, there is a lack of credible research that delves deeply into the impact of Bicolano
culture and superstitions on each generation. While there are some studies on Bicol culture and folklore,
they mostly provide a regional level of understanding of their beliefs and practices. This research gap is a
significant issue, as the cultural practices and superstitions of the Bicolano’s are known to shape the
psyche of the people and influence their daily lives.
Thus, there is a need for further research to explore and document Bicolano culture and superstitions in-
depth, including their origins, evolution, and significance to the people. This research should also aim to
uncover the impact of Bicolano culture and superstitions on different generations, as these practices have
been passed down from one generation to the next. By examining how the beliefs and practices of
Bicolano’s have evolved over time and how they continue to shape the lives of the people today,
researchers can help preserve and promote this rich cultural heritage while also identifying areas where it
needs to adapt to the changing times. This gap in knowledge needs to be addressed urgently to promote a
better understanding of Bicolano superstitions, which are an essential part of the region's identity and
heritage.

The research sample for this study will include individuals from different generations and cultural
backgrounds residing in various areas of the Bicol region in the Philippines. The participants will be
selected through purposive sampling to ensure representation of different age groups and cultural
practices. The study will aim to interview a minimum of 30(????) participants who will be asked to share
their personal experiences and beliefs on Bicol superstitions and its impact on their daily lives. The
sample population will include individuals from rural and urban areas, different ethnic backgrounds,
educational levels, and professions. The participants will be approached through different channels,
including including but not limited to online surveys and personal interviews(? Hehe), to ensure a diverse
range of participants. The study will of course seek informed consent from each participant and will
maintain their anonymity and confidentiality as per their wishes. The research aims to provide an in-depth
understanding of the superstitions and cultural practices prevalent in Bicol and how it shapes the daily
lives and well-being of the individuals belonging to different generations.