REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

(Sharr Steele-Prohaska, 1996) Cultural heritage tourism is an important link that should

be part of all ecotourism products and tour packages. People travel to see how other people live,

to experience their neighbourhoods, and to understand the natural environments that define their

existence. According to (Alejadria Gonzalez, 2016) among visitors to Palawan, ecotourism was

identified by the respondents as the primary theme, followed by cultural tourism, and

gastronomic tourism. Ecotourism, as perceived by tourists, is defined as the enjoyment and

appreciation of nature through natural attractions and nature-based activities. Cultural Tourism,

as perceived by tourists, involves activities and attractions related to the lifestyles and history of

the people living in a destination. Hence, (Johnston, 2000) this definition spans the range of

marketing labels associated with ecotourism, e.g. nature, cultural, ethnic, and adventure travel. It

refers to tourism products that claim to be socially or environmentally responsible, while

applying sustainability criteria determined either in isolation of, or without appropriate dialogue

with, the involved indigenous peoples.

(Jose Mencio Molintas, 2004) Stated that, Indigenous Peoples/Indigenous Cultural

Communities (IP/ICC) refer to a group of people sharing common bonds of language, customs,

traditions and other distinctive cultural traits, and who have, under claims of ownership since

time immemorial, occupied, possessed and utilized a territory. Indigenous communities, peoples,

and nations are those which, having a historical continuity with pre-invasion and pre-colonial

societies that developed in their territories, considered themselves distinct from other sectors of

the societies now prevailing in those territories, or parts of them. Indigenous peoples’

communities can be found in the interiors of Luzon, Mindanao, and some islands of Visayas. He

stated that according to Tunay na Alyansa ng Bayan Alay sa Katutubo TABAK, there are more
than forty ethnic groups that comprise the Philippine indigenous population, and these can be

classified into six groupings excluding the Islamic groups. (Asian Development Bank, 2002) The

introduction of Islam split the peoples of Mindanao into two distinct categories, Moros and

Lumads. The 18 nonMuslim or Lumad groups are the Bagobo of Davao del Sur, South and North

Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat; Mansaka of Davao del Norte; Mandaya of Davao Oriental;

Subanen of the Zamboanga Peninsula; B’laan of Davao del Sur, South Cotabato, North Cotabato,

Maguindanao, and Sultan Kudarat; T’boli of South Cotabato; and Tiruray of North Cotabato,

Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat. There are at least 13 Islamized ethno linguistic groups

indigenous to Mindanao, they are the Maranaw, Maguindanao, Tausug, Yakan, Samal, Sangil,

Molbog, Kalibugan, Kalagan, Palawani, Iranun, Jama Mapun, and the Badjao.

(Technology Integration Division, 2009) The southern Philippines were part of an ancient

trading network which, over time, expanded from regional to global. This made the area

appealing to many outside powers. In the 14th century, Arab Muslim traders were the first to

introduce Islam to the inhabitants of the southern Philippines. Residing in an expansive

archipelago of some 7,107 islands, the Yakan were one of many isolated tribes that attracted

proselytizing foreigners. The Yakan were one of many isolated tribes that attracted proselytizing

foreigners. Yakan population in Zamboanga engaged in the sale of crafts. Woven wares, for

which the Yakan are renowned, are especially desirable. Visitors to the “Yakan Village” also

seek other items such as traditional weapons. The Yakan are subsistence farmers who reside

primarily in the mountainous interior region of Basilan Island where they cultivate rice and

cassava. Although they comprise less than half of the island’s total population, Yakan is the

dominant tribal culture on Basilan.