Journal in Urban and Regional Planning

UP School of Urban and Regional Planning

http://journals.upd.edu.ph/

Identity as a Development Catalyst for both

Community and City (The Case of Baguio City, Philippines)
Mark Anthony M. Morales
Assistant Professor, School of Urban and Regional Planning, University of the Philippines Diliman
[email protected]

Abstract

The inability to rise above poverty weakens one’s sense of pride and self-confidence, increasing
vulnerability to social exclusion. To address this concern, access to education enables the poor to acquire skills
that enhance quality of living, improving their level of acceptance in society. Unfortunately, many developing
societies find it difficult to ensure access to education for all its citizens, especially the poor.

In search for alternative platforms that poor citizens may use, it was found that education is a cultural
development medium that provides skills celebrating values and beliefs binding people together; making it
easier for people to be accepted in the communities which they seek to belong in. Aside from education, there
are other platforms of cultural development such as sports, religion, and art. In search of a cultural development
platform to focus this research on, “Art” was found to not only provide skills and opportunities promoting
acceptance amidst poverty-driven social barriers, but also highlight distinct local cultural attributes unique in a
city as expressed via tourism; a development catalyst hinged on a city’s unique identity.

This paper discusses the case of Baguio City, home to a community adorned with an indigenous identit y
where not only is this identity used as a city development catalyst (tourism), but its governments’ collaboration
with art-engaged volunteer groups enable us to look deeper at theoretical discussions stating that ‘improved
social capital establishes a sense of identity’. To a certain degree, identity can also be recognized as a
development catalyst –and not just a result - of enhanced social capital due to the learnings captured in this
research.
Keywords: Poverty, Art, Local identity, Social capital, Cultural development

1. Introduction
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) has recognized these factors in
Poverty is and has always been a sobering reflection of
poverty’s absolute and relative impacts to society. In the
failure to create a just and humane society. Though there
words of UNESCO:
have been significant improvement on poverty reduction,
progress has been uneven; some regions in East Asia and
“Absolute poverty measures poverty in relation to the
Southeast Asia may have met the target of halving its
amount of money necessary to meet basic needs such as
poverty rate, but other regions, such as sub-Saharan Africa
food, clothing, and shelter. (However), the concept of
and Southern Asia, still lag behind (United Nations, 2014).
absolute poverty is not concerned with broader quality of
Moreover, the United Nations Development Programme
life issues or with the overall level of inequality in
(UNDP) states that as early as 1990, major population
society. The concept therefore fails to recognize that
movement began shifting the main burden of poverty to
individuals have important social and cultural needs.
urban areas (United Nations, 1990), establishing the urban
This led to the development of the concept of relative
spatial trend where poverty will become more pronounced
poverty. Relative poverty defines poverty in relation to
in decades to come. Amidst well-documented discussions
(or compared with)…other members of the society:
on economic vulnerabilities encountered by the poor
people are poor if they fall below prevailing standards of
(Chamhuri, Karim, & Hamdan, 2012), the inability to rise
living in a given societal context.” (UNESCO, 2009).
above poverty also leads to a weakening in one’s sense of
pride, dignity, and self-confidence; factors that increase
Simply put, this paper seeks a social understanding of
one’s vulnerability towards social exclusion (Grabska,
poverty amidst an abundance of literature that measures
2006; Howe & McKay, 2007; Jenson, 2000; UNESCO &
poverty by means of a person’s ability to acquire or
IOC, 2010).
consume commodities.

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 Identity as a Development Catalyst for both
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The study likewise considers an approach that dwells on of being poor, and their ability to get out of poverty’s social
how individuals or groups are able to stack themselves up consequences (Howe & McKay, 2007).
against a community perspective in determining one’s state

Figure 1 Social Consequences to Consider in Escaping Poverty (Howe & McKay, 2007).

2. Review of Related Literature This phenomenon is happening in other developing

countries all over the world as well. In 2005, only 68% of
In Search of a Catalyst Development the primary school-enrolled children in Sub-Saharan Africa
reached the last grade of primary education. Even worse is
Since “access to support and knowledge” is an effective the situation in Uganda, where only 32% of the children
way of addressing social concerns of poverty (Howe & enrolled in the first grade finished the last grade of primary
McKay, 2007), development platforms have been used by education. These sobering statistics are aggravated by
government to address it. For instance, education – long observations that not only do early school leavers lack
considered as society’s ‘great equalizer’ (Mann & Mann, certificates, those few years in school most likely do not
1868) - has been a medium that upholds numerous social, equip them with skills useful for their future lives (Blaak,
economic, and cultural advantages, as well as one that aids Openjuru, & Zeelen, 2013). In this regard, are there
in the development of vital skill sets that is of benefit for an alternative mediums – aside from education - that poor
improved quality of living among the poor (Tarabini, citizens may also use to access support and knowledge, so
2010). Education is also seen as an effective medium used as to address (among others) the social consequences
by government to enhance the poor’s quality of living and concerning poverty?
level of acceptance and standing in society (Griliches,
1996). Unfortunately, many developing societies, Literature states that education is a medium of cultural
particularly those with high poverty rates, find it difficult to development; providing skills that recognize and promote
ensure access to education for all its citizens. In their work aspired values and beliefs that bind people together, as well
entitled “Issues and Concerns of Philippine Education as benefitting people (e.g. the poor) who express these
through the Years” Durban and Catalan (2012) wrote the celebrated values and beliefs in an impressive manner.
following: Obtained through “cognitive development, recreation,
spiritual enrichment, and aesthetic experiences” (Church,
Education has been looked into as the means of A., Burgess, J., Ravenscroft, N., 2011), these values and
alleviating poverty, increasing economic benefits and beliefs are both developed and expressed through
ultimately uplifting the standard of living of the Filipino education, sports, religion, and art (Cochrane, 2006;
masses. However, it is a sad reality that due to poverty, Tarabini, 2010; Throsby, 1999; United Nations, 2005).
only seven out ten pupils who enroll in Grade 1 finish
the elementary curriculum, and from the seven who
continue to secondary, only 3 are able to complete the
curriculum. From this three, only one can complete the
tertiary education. Based on this scenario, how can we
expect our students to help in nation building when they
do not have the necessary skills and trainings?

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Figure 2 Unique Feature of Art as Cultural Development Medium.

Culture Expressed through Art: Impact to Community Seeking to understand these benefits further, the study
and City focuses on the role of social capital in the context of
cultural development. Broadly speaking, social capital is
In search of a cultural development medium to “understood as referring to community relations that affect
concentrate this research on, Art is found to not only personal interactions” (Durlauf, 2005). It is a recognized
provide skills and opportunities promoting acceptance fact that social capital is a positive externality from an
amidst poverty-driven social barriers (i.e., as a community organizational standpoint, and an aspect that focuses on
development catalyst), but also highlights local cultural relationships forged between individuals (Durlauf, 2005; N
development attributes unique in a city (i.e., as a city Lin & Et.al., 2001). Perhaps of greater value for this
development catalyst). Identity is defined as a set or research, particularly on the aspect of social capital, is that
collection of “cultural experiences that characterize and “inventory of social capital (by itself) is impossible to
reinforce one’s sense of self” (Wilson, 1984) as well as conduct because virtually any kind of social network
“the extent to which people recognize a set of focal relationship and set of social norms counts as social
elements that set their culture apart from others” (He & capital” (Putnam, 2002). As such, there is a need to
Wang, 2014). It is the expressed totality of cultural values pinpoint specific variables as measurable contexts that
and beliefs binding people and the city together, enable us to establish a positive externality that would lead
highlighting the features that make them unique. Identity us to discussions on the enhancement in social capital. For
thus enables them to not only promote a sense of belonging this particular research, these variables are deemed to be
and acceptance among communities, but may also be used “skills development” (cognitive art-skills), alongside
to package a city’s unique identity as part of its tourism community relations, as well as social access/acceptance
agenda. for the benefit of people especially those who are poor.

Identity, reflected or expressed through acquired skills Interestingly, Wuthnow mentions of possible “new
used to celebrate a community and city’s binding forms of social capital”, such as “social skills to help make
distinctiveness, underscores a role in local cultural people comfortable in these groups and organizations (e.g.
development that improves investment opportunities (e.g. self-confidence; a non-cognitive skill-set), and the
via tourism) and city competitiveness. It establishes a networks that may be helpful in elevating one’s place in the
distinct program theme (e.g. music festivals, art community. But these associations have not been fully
performances) where people engaged in art - especially the successful in bridging socio-economic levels or drawing in
poor - can participate in its activities and events, and serves marginalized people” (Putnam, 2002). Wuthnow’s search
as a catalyst of broader social engagement with local and for social skills could be drawn towards non-cognitive
visiting communities patronizing said cultural development skills-sets such as self-confidence; further, his search for
program (i.e., improved community relations, social access networks could be related to art-engaged groups or
or acceptance). To be more specific, several academic organizations where poor individuals are seen to join and
researchers highlight the notion of art in promoting a benefit from. Based from these discussions, this study may
“sense of belonging and engagement with disempowered contribute and move social capital discussions forward in
members of the community as well as providing a means of terms of using culture – particularly in the promotion of
expression and a vehicle for public participation” through identity through excellence in a cultural service – to bridge
projects, as embedded in local tourism programs people in improving community relations and gaining
(Goldstein-Gidoni, 2005; McHenry, 2011; Nakagawa, social access by membership to groups espousing these
2010a; Pol, 2002; Sasaki, 2010). cultural services, especially the poor.

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Putnam (2002) himself appears to share this line of It is at this juncture that this research sought to find out
thought (i.e., social capital for the poor), when he wrote the what particular binding agent promotes the creation and
following in ‘Democracies in Flux’: strengthening of social networks and relations due to its
root feature of being embodied in everybody regardless of
Most empirical research on social capital thus far has wealth, power or status, thereby serving as an inclusive
focused primarily on the quantity of social ties, but the platform that may augment city development via a cultural
social distribution of social capital is at least as identity-based tourism strategy.
problematic as trends in the overall quantity. Social
capital is generally distributed unequally. Citizens who In search for an answer, this research came across an
lack access to financial and human capital also lack assessment of Putnam regarding the unique feature of
access to social capital. Social capital is accumulated culture in society. In the words of Putnam, while the world
most among those who need it least. Social capital may is becoming smaller and more homogenous at some levels,
conceivably be even less equitably distributed than local cultures are making efforts to retain or, in some cases,
financial and human capital. rediscover their identity in a variety of ways (Putnam,
2002). As reflected in Table 1, cultural identity – binding
Identity (A Root Social Capital Feature?) values and beliefs promoted, expressed, and celebrated
through cultural services – is a resource embedded in
Amidst definitions cited in previous parts of this paper, everyone, enabling social networks and relations to take
perhaps what is of value to know is that social capital is root while devoid of notions of privilege or exclusivity, and
based on “social networks and social relations measured this is observed in other social capital resources such as
relative to its root” (Nan Lin, Cook, & Burt, 2001). To be wealth, power, and status. Culture is thus positioned as
more specific, Lin mentioned a strategy of conceptualizing being an inclusive medium connecting people in a social
and measuring social capital based on a resource (“root”) fabric and bound together by a common identity,
embedded in the individuals and communities where benefitting people most especially the poor and
interaction and engagement is taking place. In the words of marginalized.
Lin, valued resources in most societies are (usually)
represented by wealth, power, and status. Thus, social 3. Methodology
capital is analyzed by the amount or variety of such
characteristics in others with whom an individual has direct In line with previous observations regarding deprived
or indirect ties (Nan Lin et al., 2001). Based from this access to education among the poor in the Philippines,
notion, we understand that people and groups tend to aspire efforts to identify local study areas, particularly those that
engagement with individuals and organizations that use art as an alternative skills development platform, were
embody qualities reflecting, among others, wealth, power, limited to the most populous island within the Luzon Island
and status; as such, they tend to benefit from acquired cluster in the Philippines (Durban & Catalan, 2012). Online
social networks and relations which lead to enhanced social research among government websites comprising the fifty-
capital. However, beyond “wealth, power, and status” (a bit one (51) potential case study areas within the island mass
exclusionary or elitist in nature?), are there other resources was initiated; looking for local governments that specify
that possess a more inclusive feature or “root” to enhancing “culture” and “art” as key drivers in their city
social capital?

Table 1 Identity as a Social Capital Resource

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or municipality’s overall development agenda (evident in 4. Results and Discussion

policy pronouncements stipulated in each of the
government unit’s official website). Out of this web-based Cultural Development Policy in the Philippines
search, three (3) cases emerged where government efforts
of using culture as a development catalyst in the city also Literature on cultural policies by government
facilitates improved skills development (through art), highlighting how culture impacts the lives of the poor is
community relations, and social access; embodied through few and far between; most of the literature encountered
the efforts of volunteer art groups that highlight the role of pertains to “cultural development” as a policy which
“culture” and “expression of identity through art” to focuses on construction and expansion of facilities for
influence enhanced social capital. The identified study urban regeneration, diplomacy or exchange, as well as
areas are the municipality of Angono, and the cities of funding for cultural activities and events (Attanasi, Casoria,
Baguio and Makati (see figure 3 below). For this article, the Centorrino, & Urso, 2013; Ogoura, 2009; Strom, 2003).
city of Baguio is focused on. Efforts were made to discover if the same policy thrusts are
manifested in the Philippines, a developing society believed
After interviewing concerned national and local to adequately represent a study area that shows how
government officers (specifically those in charge of cultural cultural development impacts the poor.
development policy and tourism programs), requests were
made to local government officials to introduce this Cultural development in the Philippines is led by the
researcher to art-engaged volunteer groups that serve as National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
active government partners in cultural development. Once Acquired NCCA policy documents and interviews with
contact was established, interviews were conducted with NCCA officials point towards “identifying, preserving, and
these volunteer groups to determine in what ways these promoting cultural features” as the national agency’s main
volunteer groups are using culture, through art, in line with and recurring policy theme, classified though five (5)
the cultural development and tourism strategies of the local program tracks namely: (a) Cultural Education, (b) Cultural
governments that they are collaborating with, with Diplomacy, (c) Cultural Heritage Conservation, (d) Culture
emphasis on how it impacts the poor. and Development, and (e) Artistic Excellence and
Creativity. Based from acquired data, it was found that
Philippine policy thrusts share the same as that of other
countries, one which is focused on “cultural development”
itself.

Figure 3 Luzon Island Proper Showing Possible Study Areas.

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Figure 4 Policy on Cultural Development based from 'Philippine Development Plan'.

Regarding the role of cultural development for the poor, An observed pattern is that governance themes seem to
the NCCA recognizes that its policy efforts are reflective to be entrusted to specific government agencies, each with
parts of the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017 to their own institutional mandates that other agencies
2022, the overall policy document drafted by the current recognize. Based from interviews conducted with
Philippine administration. Created through the National government officials in charge with cultural development,
Economic Development Authority (NEDA), the PDP is caution is exhibited with regard to “overstepping” into the
considered as main policy guide by the Philippine mandates of other government agencies (in the case of
government for its governance functions. It is the PDP, DSWD, service provision to needs of the poor and
with its key-result areas specifying “poverty reduction” that marginalized),thus, defining NCCA’s focus on the cultural
serves as inspiration from where NCCA policy on cultural development mandate that was entrusted to them (Morales,
development implies reflective policy connection. Specific 2014a, 2014b). Amidst notions wherein issues concerning
cultural programs and projects directly mentioning poverty is implied or reflected in cultural policy, but not
“poverty reduction” were not found; the reason perhaps specifically mentioned or listed in NCCA program and
being that the main task concerning the social needs 1 of the project levels (i.e., national government level), focus was
poor is primarily delegated to another government agency, moved towards the local level, buoyed by an observation
the Department of Social Welfare and Development that cultural development engagements with the citizenry
(DSWD). The department is tasked to develop and (i.e. communities and individuals, especially the poor)
implement social protection and poverty reduction seems to be more evident at local or city level.
solutions for and with the poor, vulnerable and
disadvantaged (Department of Social Welfare and
Development, 2015).

Figure 5 Cultural Development through Art from National to Local Government Level.

1
The social aspect of poverty is focused on in this study, as
mentioned in terms of “social exclusion” because of poverty.

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 Identity as a Development Catalyst for both
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An interesting feature of cultural development policy in culture in the Northern Philippines. To be specific, Baguio
the Philippines is that it allows itself to connect “cultural attracts indigenous groups coming from different provinces
development” with “poverty alleviation” through the in the Cordillera region which it belongs to – Ibaloi,
participation of community-based, art-engaged volunteer Bontoc, Kalinga, Ifugao, and Kankanai groups – allowing
groups with their local governments’ cultural development the city to have a unique cultural identity that sets it apart
plans, programs, and projects. The section entitled “Profile from other regional centers in the country (Baguio City
of Baguio’s Art-engaged Volunteer Groups” later on Tourism Office, 2013). This indigenous Cordilleran
discusses the current economic state of the member s of identity – an intangible cultural feature - is embraced by
these groups (most of them falling under the poverty line), Baguio’s local government to enrich the city’s overall
and how they take advantage of the skills they acquire (and socio-cultural experience for both local and foreign
benefits/opportunities that they are exposed in) by being residents and visitors. This is most evident within the
members of such groups. mountain plateau located in the northern part of the city
where most of the city’s developments are concentrated,
and where majority of its facilities and spaces as a tourist
spot and regional center are based. This is the reason as to
why Baguio was chosen as case study for this paper.
Baguio city2, with majority of its developed areas located
on a mountain plateau on the northern part of the city is
located in the province of Benguet; two hundred and fifty
(250) kilometers north of Manila, on an elevation of 1,400
meters, and with a total land area of 57.5 square kilometers
(Baguio CPDO, 2010).
Figure 6 Volunteer Groups as Government Partner: Enabling
Cultural Development to Directly Benefit the Poor.
Baguio City espouses a “culture through art”-based
tourism strategy as a unique identity feature and urban
Likewise, interviews conducted discuss members being
development catalyst. As such, developed art-skills
bounded by a common inclination towards a cultural
expressing this unique identity (i.e., Cordillera tribal
service (i.e., art) and where social exclusion (e.g. due to
heritage) have more use or applications within this study
poverty) is lessened due to the prioritization of a common
area. Moreover, Baguio is characterized as a cultural
passion for excellence on the said cultural service skill-set
center, and possesses numerous opportunities for people
(e.g. dance, painting, music as art-forms) by these groups.
with developed art-skills (observed to be beneficial
especially to the poor who are engaged in art skills
By using culture - through art expression - in creating
development); perhaps due to Baguio’s culture-based
groups that seek to be a positive influence on society,
tourism strategy as based on its unique tribal heritage. With
discriminatory issues related with poverty (which leads to
Baguio’s unique identity, as well as its position as a
marginalization) is put in the back in terms of importance
regional and urban center in Northern Philippines (i.e.,
to group membership; rather, it is the group’s common
industries and development opportunities are seen to be
passion to develop and excel in a cultural service – may it
cluster in Baguio), it is not farfetched to see that Baguio’s
be education, sport, religion, or art – that is brought in the
art-skill based opportunities are in abundance especially for
forefront of the group members’ collective mindset.
poor and marginalized individuals possessing art-skills.
Baguio’s Cultural Identity as a City Development
Catalyst Profile of Baguio’s Art-Engaged Volunteered Groups

As noted in earlier sections of this paper, the role of art-

Baguio City was used as the case study in this paper to
engaged volunteer groups enhance the cultural
test the relevance of reviewed literature as applied in the
development policy of Philippine cities 3. .Interviews
Philippine context. The city is famous for its history as a
conducted show that the art-engaged volunteer groups in
mountain retreat in the beginning of the early 1900s; when
Baguio City are school/university - based groups, as well as
the city was made into a rest and recuperation center for
community-based groups; this may be a reflection of the
American forces due to a climate/temperatures similar to
numerous academic institutions inside Baguio, as well as a
the United States. Today, Baguio continues to be a
regional center in the Cordilleras.
preferred vacation spot for both locals and foreigners
seeking respite from the high temperatures prevalent in the
lowlands, especially during the hot summer months
(Baguio CPDO, 2010). Beyond its temperate climate,
Baguio’s city government uses a characteristic that not only
2
Baguio city is classified as a ‘highly urbanized city’ under the
Philippine’s Local Government Code.
augments its reputation as a tourist vacation area, but also 3
Kindly refer to the last two paragraphs in the previous section of
as a regional center representative of Cordilleran tribal this paper entitled, “Cultural Development Policy in the
Philippines”.

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Interviewed leaders of volunteer groups mention that community- and school-base groups help the said
many of their members who make an effort to join this individual further improve skills on their chosen craft,
groups belong to the poorer income groups among Baguio continue one’s formal education aspirations, as well as
City’s population, as well as other neighbouring increase their employment prospects (i.e. skills developed,
municipalities. Interviews with local government officials academic credentials, etc.). This observed complementary
convey that both group types are engaged within a relationship between community- and school-based groups
relatively equal manner by government. School/university- is of particular value to people who are poor, given that
based groups that are sponsored by academic institutions these community-based, grassroot skills provided by these
are mainly in search of talented individuals - usually given groups serve as a development platform that increases a
academic scholarships as members of said groups - to person’s chance at education scholarships. People who are
represent their school or university in related cultural in greater need of support in terms of acquiring skills are
events or engagements happening in the city. Meanwhile, given the opportunity to earn them, thereby increasing their
community-based groups are viewed as more grassroots- chances to get out of poverty. Interestingly, results of
oriented, serving as an initial training ground for members interviews seem to show a causal relationship between
to develop skillsets that they may choose to use in applying ‘skills development’ (cognitive art-skills, non-cognitive
for school-based volunteer groups. This allows them self-confidence), alongside improved community relations
continue their academic aspirations, or as a number of key and social acceptance benefitting members of these groups,
informant interviewees mentioned, these community-based especially those who are poor. Governments are in turn
groups serve as a means of acquiring skills useful for supportive of both types of art-engaged volunteer groups,
employment. Moreover, interviews also revealed that there creating collaboration opportunities through cultural
are many members of these groups who belong to the development activities and events, as well as other means
poorer income groups (for some, even the most destitute) of of support (e.g. finding talented individuals, institutional
the communities they belong to (Morales, 2014a, 2014b). support, providing or matching fund sources) so that the
partnership between these two group-types would be better
Table 2 Summary of Volunteer Group Information 4 integrated with the government’s own cultural development
1) Community-based groups complement school- strategy (i.e., tourism agenda of the city).
based groups (in terms of being a grass-roots
program), teaching the basics to members to improve 5. Findings: Role for Cultural Development for
their potential or gain skills; give them a better chance Community and the City
of acceptance to school-based groups;
2) In case of community-based groups: members not Amidst renewed focus by government institutions on
enrolled in school (e.g. out-of-school youth, working “cultural development” and “poverty”, research conducted
full-time) are still able to acquire art-based skills; shows that local governments – due to its proximity to
learn and interact with members who have formal communities who are poor (in contrast with national
education training (esp. beneficial to poor and government) - highlight the value of a city’s art-engaged
marginalized members); volunteer groups as a partner in cultural development
3) Community-based groups exhibit a wider age- especially for the poor. To be specific, local governments
bracket range among members (young and old); while recognize the role of these volunteer groups in helping
age-bracket of school-based groups are limited to provide skills and employment opportunities for the poor,
school age brackets; and and are manifested in pronouncements of scholarship
4) Members of school-based groups given educational support by government as entrusted to these volunteer
scholarships by academic institution governing it; groups (Morales, 2014b). Interviews with local government
individuals w/ potential in a particular art- officials also show recognition in providing these groups,
form/discipline that said volunteer group promotes especially its poor members, a medium or platform to
(e.g. dance, music, painting, etc) showcase their skills to the communities in which they
interact – or seek to interact – with. This is exhibited
It was also observed that both community-based and through cultural activities and events in the city as
school-based volunteer groups are vital partners in cultural embedded in its tourism agenda.
development, with the grassroot-level feature of
community-based groups finding and developing talent acts Art-engaged volunteer groups likewise use the cultural
as a preliminary training ground or platform that makes an service of art to help promising and deserving individuals,
individual more competent in a particular art form or especially those who are poor and are deprived of access to
medium, thus increasing their chances of being accepted in education, with opportunities to hone and showcase their
a school-based volunteer group (and acquire an academic talent into something that they can use in society.
scholarship) should he or she choose to pursue it. Both

4
This information will be substantiated by a survey that will be
discussed in future research papers.

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Local governments get to tap into the skills acquired or These assumed relationships developed from reviewed
developed by these groups by integrating them into the city literature and interviews 6 will form the basis of survey
government’s cultural development programs and events questions that will gather quantitative data sets and
(e.g. tourism programs highlighting the unique culture of variables in terms of respondents’ relationships with the
the city); this will prove to be a mutually beneficial community and the city, and will be analyzed in greater
relationship between government and volunteer groups detail at future articles.
with regard to cultural development. As these volunteer
groups provide its members with the skills needed to excel In conclusion, it seems that the collective expression and
in their craft, its members (especially those who are poor) celebration of local cultural identity – through artistic
are noticeably able to also augment their level of social proponents and initiatives – open cultural development
acceptance to the communities that they seek to gain better opportunities (e.g. art-engaged tourism) in both
access into5. communities and cities; enhancing potentials of urban areas
mainly through related industries (such as tourism),
By excelling in a medium (i.e., art-skills) that allows activities and events beneficial both for the city and the
them to express and celebrate values, beliefs, or important people comprising urban environs. Moreover, there is
features that highlight the identity of communities they potential in the notion that seeks to connect positive
seek to access, their social capital is seemingly enhanced by benefits to poverty-stricken individuals who join groups
using identity as a development catalyst. that allow them to develop skills expressing art-forms that
celebrate unique identity features embedded in the
6. Conclusions communities and cities that they are a part of; especially
through the lens of enhancing their social capital. Moving
This paper sought to establish a theoretical foundation forward, succeeding research papers will be written to
which will form the basis for cases to be documented, such apply the abovementioned theoretical ponderings towards
as the establishment of a sense of identity in the midst of statistical applications that can further give credence to the
cultural development (Nan Lin et al., 2001; Nakagawa, ideas put forth in this paper. Nonetheless, it is at this
2010b; Wilson, 1984), and how the expression of local juncture that we may cite reviewed literature stating that
identity (i.e. unique cultural values and beliefs) - best ‘improved social capital establishes a sense of identity’
expressed through art – impacts community (with emphasis (Nan Lin et al., 2001). Alongside using cultural identity as
on the poor) and the city they are based in. Information a catalyst for city development (viewed as a catalyst - not
discussed in this study gives us ideas of possible causal simply a result - of improving social capital in our
relationships among 1) acquired or developed art-based communities.
skills, 2) self-confidence, 3) community relations, and 4)
social access.

Figure 7 Causal Relationships on Skills Development, Community Relations, and Social Access (a Path Diagram in relation to art as
cultural service).

5
This information will be substantiated by a survey and will be
analyzed via Path Analysis, and will be discussed in future
6
research papers. Please refer to Figure 7.

23
 Identity as a Development Catalyst for both
Community and City (The Case of Baguio City, Philippines)| JURP 2016

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