Four Research Projects on Local Knowledge approved for 2012 by the United Board for Philippine-based partners of AUDRN

In Search of Indigenous/Traditional Knowledge and Practices of Tan-awan Village, West Negros University

The broad aim is to discover, document and preserve the indigenous /traditional arts, culture and practices of Tan-awan Village and share it to others through establishment of local theatre and publication before it is lost due to abrupt changes in our society.

Image credit: Tess Tabada

Passing On the Gift: Local Healing Modalities in an Ayta Community in Floridablanca, Pampanga, Philippines, Miriam College

One major goal is to use the local knowledge shared with the younger Aytas and other young people who may want to accept the gift of healing methodologies that are passed on. The research findings could be used in classrooms as material for courses such as Sociology 101, Theology 104, and International Studies courses on the undergraduate level and Religious Education 211 -Inculturation and Filipino Theology on the graduate level.

Image Credit: kamoteus @Flickr

The Virgins of Cavite: Religiosity, Arts and HistoryDe La Salle University – Dasmarinas, Cavite

This study is expected to provide an extensive documentation both in written and in multi-media format on the faith- ritual-historical dimensions of Caviteño's devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It will help renew and strengthen the veneration to and appreciation of the role of the Blessed Virgin on the lives of the Caviteños.

Image Credit: lolay @Flickr

Building Bridges between Formal Laws and Living Laws: An Action Research on Indigenous Laws in the Philippines AUDRN and 5 institutions (Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Urios University, La Salle Bacolod, Angeles University Foundation, Miriam College)

The main goal of this study is to gather and document IP laws and dissect them vis-à-vis national official laws (particularly the Republic Act No. 8371, otherwise known as “The Indigenous Peoples' Rights Act of 1997) in the hope of identifying gaps—contextual divergence, conceptual variances and even political premises—in order to provide an analysis of existing conflict, bridge understanding and consensus among stakeholders, and offer case studies that could inform suitable legislative bills for possible sponsorship in Philippine Congress.

Image Credit: Joel C. Yuvienco