Research

Jelina Haines holds a PhD in Computer Science and Technology from the School of UniSA – STEM, University of South Australia, and has been involved with the University of Arizona. With 21 years of experience, she has worked extensively with the Indigenous Elders community in various roles, focusing on preserving cultural heritage and traditional knowledge. Her research expertise includes qualitative community-based participatory research and video ethnography of Indigenous human information behavior, user experience, and design needs. Jelina is known for redefining traditional learning by combining art and technology, utilizing methods such as video dialogue interviews and data visualization to portray living culture and history. She has received several awards for her contributions to research and Indigenous communities, including the 2022 ASIS&T ProQuest Doctoral Dissertation Award and the Michael Miller Medal – High Commendation Award from the University of South Australia.

Current Research Work
Research Topic: Los Pintados: A Living Legacy Reimagined in the 21st Century
Role: Principal Investigator/Researcher – Jelina Haines
Date: January 2024-2026

Background story

My current research project is focused on comprehending the rich cultural heritage of the Visayas Region located in the southeast of the Philippines, in its closest neighbor, Mindanao, with a particular emphasis on exploring the traditional art of Batok or Los Pintados. The Philippines is infused with a tapestry of history, colonized for 333 years by the Spanish and 48 years of American settlement followed by the Japanese. In some way, Filipino traditional art has steadily revived and captivated people’s hearts with the enchanting beauty of 7,107 islands, stretching from the southern part of China to the northern tip of Borneo. The country boasts a diverse and unique culture, influenced by over a hundred ethnic groups and a blend of foreign cultures, including Malay, Chinese, Indian, Bangladeshi, and Pakistani. It is truly a melting pot of various cultures, traditions, and folklore stories. Despite this, Filipinos have a growing desire to preserve their ancient heritage, such as the Los Pintados, and the revival of the Baybayin language while remaining open to foreign artistic influence. Filipino art represents everyday life, the land, and its surroundings in an unidealised way closest to the Filipino soul, culture, tradition and native soil.

The vibrant tradition of Los Pintados is far from being a relic of the past. In the 21st century, it’s undergoing a fascinating reinterpretation and re imagination, showcasing the enduring power of Filipino cultural identity and artistic expression.

Stay tune as the research project progresses…