Abstract
This study aims to determine the preservation of Jota Gumaqueña as a representation of Gumaca culture to the selected residents in Gumaca, Quezon. It determined the profile of the respondents in terms of age, sex and address. It also reveals the ways of preserving Jota Gumaqueña as a representation of Gumaca culture in terms of learning and performing the dance, preserving our unique tradition and reflecting cultural heritage and identity. The researcher used descriptive method of research. This study employed simple random sampling design. Under this procedure, the researcher considered using one hundred (100) selected residents in the poblacion area of Gumaca, Quezon to get the 100 % of the respondents. This study determined most of the respondents are age 19-23 years old which account of 28% of the total respondents. It revealed that majority of the respondents are females which account for 61% of the total respondents. In terms of their address, most of the respondents are from Barangay Villa Nava which accounts for 12% total of the respondents. This study found out that the average mean of 3.990 interpreted as "Agree", indicated that most of the respondents agreed on the preservation of Jota Gumaqueña as a representation of Gumaca culture in terms of learning and performing the dance. Likewise, the average mean of 3.840 interpreted as "Agree", indicated that most of the respondents agreed on the preservation of Jota Gumaqueña as a representation of Gumaca culture in terms of preserving our unique tradition. The average mean of 3.988 interpreted as "Agree", indicated that most of the respondents agreed on the preservation of Jota Gumaqueña as a representation of Gumaca culture in terms of reflecting cultural heritage and identity. Based from the results of the Kruskal Wallis H - Test, the null hypothesis of age, sex and address are accepted, which means that there is no significant difference on the perceived preservation of Jota Gumaqueña as a representation of Gumaca culture when the respondents are grouped according to age, sex and address. From the result of this study the following were recommended; to the community, they may be able to learn and perform the Jota Gumaqueña as a representation of Gumaca culture and how they are going to preserve this culture. Barangay Officials, they may be able to educate their constituents about the importance of preserving Jota Gumaqueña as part of our culture and traditions. Youth, this may help them to understand more about the ways of preserving Jota Gumaqueña and how they are going to represent this dance in this generation. And for the future researchers, this study will be beneficial to those who will conduct similar studies in the same field in a way that they will be able to use this for their related studies.
