Adams folk attend first world confab on tourism, culture in Cambodia

Nestled at the northern edge of Luzon island, the Indigenous Peoples of Adams, Ilocos Norte composed of the Yapayaos, Isneg, Bagbag-o and Kankana-ey live harmoniously amidst diverse cultural beliefs and traditions. (Lei Adriano)

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff reporter

Adams, Ilocos Norte—In a move to promote Adams, Ilocos Norte to a greater heights, at least five representatives from the municipal local government unit here attended a three-day world conference on tourism and culture in Siem Reap, Cambodia on February 4-6, 2015.

Bringing together for the first the ministers of tourism and ministers of culture, the town of Adams in Ilocos Norte, a home to a diverse culture and a melting pot of different identities, beliefs and traditions represented the Philippines as stakeholders to help identify key opportunities and challenges and learn from sharing of world regions.

“The material culture found in Adams is rich in terms of social significance and social sentiments as people associate it with them. It’s pretty interesting how they value these items to the extent that a treasured jar is worth a man’s life. Modern mentality would look down on that as a way of giving justice and fairness and vengeance to the abused but that’s their culture, their moral standards. It’s nice to know more how it works, why it happened and whether or we are still continuing that practice,” said Bernard Joseph Guerrero, a histo-cultural researcher who is currently doing a research project in Adams town who also accompanied a group of selected Indigenous Peoples representatives in Cambodia.

The event, jointly organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and hosted by the government of Cambodia will tackle wide range of topics, including government models, promotion, and protection and safeguarding of culture, innovation, the role of creative industries and urban regeneration as a vehicle for sustainable development in destinations worldwide.

As the people of Adams and its local government level up to promote its cultural heritage and eco-tourism sites, Guerrero said it is just timely that they will be exposed to the UNESCO world conference to promote Adams in a platform that promotes responsible, culturally-aware, inclusive and sustainable tourism and contribute to the socio-economic development of host communities, promote cross-cultural exchanges and generate resources for the safeguarding of tangible and intangible heritage.

“Researches can only go so far. We need to share what we have in order for them to realize our value,” said Mr. Guerrero.