logo
Palawan Island's Art And Culture Groups Confront Development Boom

Palawan Island's Art And Culture Groups Confront Development Boom

Forbes16-05-2025

A Philippine woman wears a straw while she participates in the Foundation Day Festival. | Location: Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines.
Palawan Island, a western Philippine archipelago, has emerged as one of Asia's most sought-after luxury destinations, and it's easy to understand why. Spanning 264 miles between the South China Sea and the Sulu Sea, the island is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. That rich biodiversity includes sheltered lagoons, limestone cliffs, mist-shrouded jungle mountain ranges, inland freshwater lakes and one of Southeast Asia's most ancient and diverse rainforests.
Such prismatic beauty has attracted both international jetsetters and deep-pocketed developers. In recent years, preservation has solidly bumped up against progress. Tourists have taken note, with a nearly 90% increase in visits during 2023, no doubt a post-pandemic bump, but the numbers continue to rise.
A catamaran On Matinloc Island near El Niño In Bacuit Bay, Palawan Island, Philippines. (Photo By: Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The tourism boom has attracted some of the world's most exclusive hospitality brands, with Amanpulo and El Nido Resorts commanding rates upwards of $2,000 per night during peak seasons A night at Banwa Private Island, tucked in a marine-protected sanctuary on the island's northeastern coast, easily equals the down payment on a modest house: $100,000 a night.
Yes, raise an umbrella cocktail to the island's success, but with development comes growing concerns from local communities about cultural preservation and authentic representation.
'This sleepy town is no more,' says Matt Lubetich, who first visited the island's capital, Puerto Princesa, in 2006. 'Logging on the island stopped thirty years ago, for the most part. If developers stick to their original eco-plans, there won't be a problem. But if for any reason they decide to break the sustainable development covenant they made amongst themselves years ago, then there will be.'
A mountain lagoon, with Kayangan Lake in the distance. Palawan, Philippines.
Lubetich, who splits his time between the Philippines and Seattle with his wife and three children, cites Megaworld Corporation as one of the biggest property investors in the western Philippines. Filipino billionaire Andrew Tan has partnered with Nepalese business magnate Binod Chaudhary to launch projects on two fronts: the 462-hectare Paragua Coastown (hotels, residences and shops) in the San Vicente municipality, and the six-hectare Baytown Palawan in Puerto Princesa City, which will have a similar development mix.
Megaworld is sinking nearly 50 billion Philippine pesos ($895 million) to create the developments, certain to further boost tourism numbers.
What will it all look like, and what will future guests experience? Megaworld starts with not just a luxury hotel, but a luxury hotel district–international five-star brands, surrounded by a high-end retail and dining complex, premium residential condominiums and a waterfront promenade pushed up against Palawan's natural beauty. The master plan also incorporates a dedicated cultural center and educational facilities.
EL NIDO, PHILIPPINES | A local man plays the guitar for tourists. El Nido is one of the top tourist destinations in the world.
But will those centers be a mere nod to Palawan's cultural tapestry that spans 87 cultural groups? That cultural weave is in sync with the island's ecological landscape; both are diverse and harbor deep and abiding history. The island's indigenous groups include the Tagbanwa (also called Tagbanua), Batak, Palawano and Molbog peoples. Each has distinct traditions, craftsmanship and artistic expressions that have evolved over centuries.
'I grew up fishing in Alaska, and when I first went to Palawan, it was like a warm Alaska: rough and edgy,' says Lubetich, who founded Evening Sea Entertainment in 2011 with his wife Ester Lubetich. 'I get a strong sense of place there. The Palaweños are very much bootstrappers, they get things done on their own terms. They treat everyone as equals, always with a sense of 'let's enjoy each other.''
The Tagbanwa, one of the oldest tribes in the Philippines, are known as skilled musicians. They use a range of instruments, including a gimbal (drum), babarak (nose flute), aruding (mouth harp), and babandil, a type of gong. Dancing naturally follows suit, some of it connected to rituals, including those held after a full moon, which is thought to ward off epidemics.
Palawan has 87 cultural groups.
The big question: how much will Palawan's influx of luxury development affect the island's indigenous groups? And which way will the scales tip for artists, in terms of opportunities versus challenges? Increased interest in indigenous art forms can indeed increase sales. But many local artists worry about the authenticity of representation.
The response from Palawan's artistic community to the development surge has been multifaceted. Some have embraced the potential for wider recognition and economic opportunity, while others have organized to ensure cultural preservation and appropriate representation.
Various arts groups are holding the line, including the Palawan Heritage Center, located in a Puerto Princesa legislative building. Opened in 2012, the museum offers a comprehensive look at indigenous tribes and highlights local fine arts. It's known for its interactive modules, which include holograms. There's also a documentary on the Tau't Bato tribe (also known as Taaw't Bato), or 'People of the Rock,' who live in field houses, and during rainy months, caves.
A woman in traditional costume walks from a crowd of dancers during a street dancing competition in downtown Puerto Princesa, Palawan, PHILIPPINES.
As on other Philippine islands, festivals reign supreme in Palawan–the top tier being the month-long Baragatan Festival, a celebration of all things Palawano.
The most promising news in the ongoing efforts to safeguard Palawan's culture and traditions is the 2024 launch of the Culture and Arts Summit. The two-day event tackled such topics as defining and governing culture, along with the economics of culture.
The summit also addressed the need for Palawan to establish a cultural inventory, considering that its traditions are scattered across the island. Additionally, it suggested placing cultural officers in local governments as overseers.
'This summit marks a significant milestone in the cultural landscape of Palawan and indeed the entire nation,' said Bernan Joseph Corpuz, deputy director of operations for the National Commission on Culture and the Arts. He spoke during the summit's opening. 'It serves as a testament to the unwavering commitment ... to preserving, safeguarding, promoting and celebrating (Palawan's) rich culture.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Upcoming Rams mini-camp hopes to give Hawaii tourism much-needed summer boost
Upcoming Rams mini-camp hopes to give Hawaii tourism much-needed summer boost

Yahoo

time10 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Upcoming Rams mini-camp hopes to give Hawaii tourism much-needed summer boost

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Many are excited and ready for the NFL's Los Angeles Rams to host their summer mini-camp in Wailuku next week. Officials hope this showcases how these partnerships can give a much-needed boost to our tourism industry. The Yaroshuk family hasn't been to Hawaii in 18 years. So they're soaking up every minute they can. The Los Angeles Rams are heading to Maui next summer 'Just a nice getaway,' said Lina Yaroshuk, a visitor from Toronto. 'Just 10 days away from the usual you know, people wanna go somewhere on holidays where they can just relax, do some hiking, you know visit some areas you haven't seen in a while.' They're not the only ones returning to the islands this summer. The Los Angeles Rams are ready for their Maui mini-camp next week. 'Let's not kid ourselves, we're not getting anything football wise done, but it'll be a cool trip to be able to connect, so we'll enjoy it and look forward to it next week,' said Sean Mcvay, Los Angeles Rams head coach.'Every time we have something big come to the state, whether it's a training camp for a football or a concert, revenue generally rises because many people from around the country fly over,' said Rep. Adrian Tam, House Tourism Committee chair. The timing couldn't be better. Even though the state says visitors numbers are up so far this year compared to last year, they're expecting a modest slowdown during summer. According to a statement from Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism Director James Tokioka, caused by political and economic uncertainties both nationally and internationally. 'I don't understand, Just have a look around, everybody could enjoy yourself for sure,' Yaroshuk said. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Officials say if we want our tourism industry to not only survive, but thrive, we need to offer more. 'Beaches and our natural environment is a huge factor, 100-percent, it's our branding,' Tam said. 'But we have to give them more than just our beaches and our natural environment. We have to think outside the box and we have to look into concerts, sporting events, and conferences.' So people like the Yaroshuks won't wait another 18 years to come back. 'You know what I've got a few more days, I'm looking forward to renting a car and going further up north, just exploring more of what the island has to offer,' Yaroshuk said. 'But so far, no disappointments, I'll be back.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Idaho Springs gondola project underway, expected to open March 2026
Idaho Springs gondola project underway, expected to open March 2026

Yahoo

time10 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Idaho Springs gondola project underway, expected to open March 2026

IDAHO SPRINGS, Colo. (KDVR) — Mountain towns along the Interstate 70 corridor are bustling this week thanks to consistently hot weather. Big projects are underway to draw even more tourists, including a $71 million gondola and mountain top development in Idaho Springs. The Mighty Argo Cable Car will travel 1.2 miles from the Argo Gold Mine and Mill to the top of the mountain, where an event center, bars and restaurants will provide views of the Continental Divide. You could soon see a Colorado gold mine from the sky in Idaho Springs FOX31 spoke with tourists who say they look forward to enjoying the new features in a town they have come to love. 'We have nothing like this where we're from,' said one visitor. Construction is underway and Black Hawk helicopters will bring in towers in the coming weeks. Seventy-five percent of Clear Creek County is made up of public lands. More than 300,000 people head to the high country to hike the highest peaks in the summer, but bad weather can drown out profits for small businesses, which lost 40% of their revenues during several days of heavy rainfall in May. Tommyknockers restaurant owner and gondola project investor Steve Indrehus tells FOX31 the boost in tourism will improve tax revenues, which support the town. 'It is everything from our police force to the potholes and with recent developments with things in the community, like the Anderson mine dropping off a little bit, they were a big supporter of the community with taxes. I believe that the gondola project will pick up the beat there,' Indrehus said. The project will also include the Virginia Canyon Mountain Bike Trail System, which is already receiving international recognition. Construction should be completed in March of 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Japan implements strict border control measures targeting foreign tourists who skip out on hospital payments
Japan implements strict border control measures targeting foreign tourists who skip out on hospital payments

Fox News

time17 hours ago

  • Fox News

Japan implements strict border control measures targeting foreign tourists who skip out on hospital payments

The Japanese government recently announced it will no longer allow foreigners into the country who have outstanding medical bills from prior visits. Officials decided on the new policy Friday during a meeting of relevant ministers, according to a report from The Japan Times. Foreigners who stay in the country for more than three months will also need to join Japan's national healthcare program, kokumin kenkō hoken, which could impact exchange students who are not enrolled, according to the report. Fox News Digital previously reported Japan set a tourism goal of 60 million visitors by 2030 after a record-breaking year in 2025. With an increase in travelers, the Japan Times reported politicians were scrambling to find a solution to unpaid medical bills and premiums that were falling on taxpayers. "If our current systems are unable to address the realities of globalization and fail to dispel public anxiety, then drastic reforms must be undertaken," Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reportedly said during the meeting. A Health Ministry survey found just over 60 percent of foreign residents required to pay the premium complied, which falls below the 93 percent including Japanese citizens. Ishiba added the country will consider the rights of travelers, so they won't be "isolated in our country," but noted "strict measures" would be taken against anyone who is noncompliant. Companies who employ foreign workers, but fail to cover social welfare premiums, will be banned from offering employment to travelers, according to the report. It is unclear when the new policy will go into effect.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store