Discovering the Cultural Setbacks and Experiences of Bicolanos during the Coronavirus Pandemic: An Ethnomethodology Study

Abstract

This paper dealt with the theories and models formed from the cultural setbacks and experiences of Bicolanos during the corona virus pandemic. The research used grounding theory approach with theoretical sampling and codes to themes saturation to see all the overlapping ideas from people in social media, news, videos, radio station, literatures and others. The result showed four theoretical models. The first knowing, expressing and sharing is integral to custom. The perspectives show that jokes and puns are creatively used and people should-have and would-have been experiences. There is a demand to be informed and ideas to be heard. All of this are part of sense of belonging experience. The next theory is the embrace of the new culture and the preservation of tradition. Attributes have shown that Bicolanos prefers to integrate new culture but they will wait for the time to celebrate the traditional ones. The practice of ethics and resiliency as inherent to the region also manifested. Values embedded from young age and modeled by the old are parts of the habits. Despite the pandemic attributes such as compassion, Bayanihan, ingenuity, acceptance, positivity and the value of home is still thriving. The last theoretical finding is the concern for divisions and discord with degradation of proxemics, conflict and dissatisfaction as its attributes. The research shows the value of culture to Bicolanos and how they have responded to the unique circumstance.