In a major step toward integrating local heritage into the tourism curriculum, the Aldersgate College, Inc. (ACI) Tourism Management Department participated in the provincial launch of the “nueHABIzcaya” Loom Weaving Familiarization Tour held last February 27, 2026.
Representing the institution’s faculty was Ma’am Rachelle A. De Guzman, MBM, HTM Instructor, who joined the Provincial Tourism and Culture Office (PTCO) for an intensive eight-hour immersion into the province’s emerging cultural circuit. Alongside her, Jasmin Espenocilla of The Paragon documented the event, ensuring the academic community remains informed on the province’s strategic initiatives to promote indigenous textiles as a “living link to the pre-colonial past.”
The familiarization tour provided faculty and student journalists with a technical and cultural deep-dive into the “language of threads” across four key municipalities:
Bagabag: A showcase of Gaddang weaving and intricate bead-making at Aban’s Handicrafts. Quezon: Interactive sessions with the Abel-Ripo Weavers, featuring hands-on weaving and local snacks. Kasibu: An exploration of warping and DIY accessory-making at Mun-Abol Weaving. Dupax del Sur: A demonstration of inabel and card weaving techniques by Aruga Handwovens.
By involving the ACI Tourism Management program, the PTCO aims to bridge the gap between classroom theory and community-based tourism. This partnership ensures that future tourism professionals are not only equipped with industry skills but are also grounded in the preservation of the history, social status, and spiritual beliefs woven into every local textile.
The event concluded at the Provincial Capitol, marking a successful milestone in the collaboration between the provincial government and Aldersgate College, Inc. to put Vizcayano artistry on the global tourism map.
