DOTOC: A Case Study of a Religious Performance in Minalabac, Camarines Sur

Dotoc is a religious performance where kantura sings hymns for nine consecutive nights before the feast of the patron saints. It is a solemn and colorful performance which entertains and attracts people to come into church. The emergence of dotoc can be traced since the mid-20th century in the Rinconada Area of Camarines Sur, particularly Bula, Bato, Nabua, and other neighboring towns. This paper assessed the status of the third generation Dotoc practice in the municipality of Minalabac through interview, observation, and participation in the community. Constraints and challenges were examined as well as the safeguarding measures to protect and promote such intangible cultural heritage. Results show that the Dotoc practice is performed in Minalabac municipality however, it was unstable in Mataoroc when the little ermita became the Parish of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. The community failed to raise awareness to preserve and promote Dotoc practice and perform it on a yearly basis. Also, it was found out that there are very limited studies about this topic. It is recommended to conduct in-depth study of dotoc practices in other parts of Camarines Sur such as those performed in different parts of Rinconada area to assess its status and document narratives and history of the practice.