Abstract
The unique cultural landscape of Leyte, Philippines, offers the complex interplay between the preservation of cultural heritage and the demands of contemporary performance criteria. The dances of Leyte are the embodiment of cultural tradition in their ability to preserve the history and cultural heritage of the Leyteño people through generations. The increasing pressure of globalization and competition makes the need for preserving such traditions crucial. Hence, this study explores the dynamics of cultural integrity amid innovation in the context of festival dances in Leyte, Philippines, by analyzing the current regulations governing such activities. This study is guided by Social Rule System Theory, Cultural Performance Theory, and Institutional Isomorphism and uses the methodological approach based on a single instrumental case study design and qualitative methods. The analysis of findings shows that festival dances of Leyte continue to be rooted in historical grounding and collective enactment. However, it is vital that a set of standard rules of adjudication should be established to prevent possible cultural erosion and uncontrolled commoditization. Thus, one of the outputs of the study is the creation of Unified Festival Dance Guidelines in order to ensure that the creative processes are consistent with cultural heritage and history. Moreover, through embedding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the said guidelines, the study promotes inclusiveness and transparent governance in the process.
