FEATURE: ALAPUAP: The app built by KSU students that could redefine tourism in Kalinga

Tabuk City, Kalinga – An application developed by students of Kalinga State University (KSU) may soon become the province’s official digital tourism guide.

On March 3, 2026, the Department of Science and Technology–Kalinga (DOST-Kalinga), led by Provincial Director Jasmin Donaal, presented to the Provincial Government, headed by Governor James Edduba, a proposal to adopt “ALAPUAP,” a chatbot-driven tourism website and mobile application.

During the meeting, DOST-Kalinga conveyed its plan to draft a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to formalize the proposed partnership and support the adoption and implementation of the ALAPUAP platform by the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU).

How ALAPUAP Was Created

Behind the innovation are KSU Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) students Mark Alvin M. Pugal, Joselyn A. Tayab, and Ranee Mae O. Awingan, under the guidance of their capstone project adviser Mathew Jun Pego Mariai.

In an interview with Guru Press Cordillera, Awingan shared that the idea for ALAPUAP emerged after their adviser challenged them to explore innovative ways to use technology to promote tourism in Kalinga.

The team realized that many outsiders primarily associate Kalinga with traditional tattoos and the legendary mambabatok Apo Whang-Od. This inspired them to create an application that could answer such questions interactively and dynamically.

“During personal experiences and conversations, we noticed that whenever we introduce ourselves and our province, people often ask, ‘What else does your place offer besides traditional tattoos or Apo Whang-Od?’ Many of us can relate to that kind of question,” Awingan shared.

After mapping out the system, the team first presented the concept to the local tourism office for initial approval. They later defended the project before a capstone panel, where feedback helped refine its design and functionality.

ALAPUAP’s Functions

Symbolizing the fusion of ancestral wisdom and technology, ALAPUAP was coined by adviser Mariai from the words “Apu” or “Apo” (elders in Kalinga) and “application.”

According to Awingan, the system serves as a centralized digital platform where tourism offices across Kalinga can upload and manage information on destinations, festivals, accommodations, restaurants, and local cuisine.

The platform also allows visitors to register, explore attractions, and leave reviews.

“ALAPUAP was developed to address the lack of a centralized system for managing and promoting tourism information in Kalinga. Traditionally, tourism offices relied on manual or fragmented records,” Awingan explained.

Challenges in Development

One of the biggest challenges in developing the app was transforming the concept into a fully functional system. The team had to integrate user registration, content management, review features, and data synchronization into a single platform.

Connectivity in remote areas also posed a challenge. To address this, the team implemented an offline-first design that allows data to be entered and stored without internet access and automatically synchronized once online.

Through continuous testing, faculty guidance, and collaboration with tourism offices, the team successfully completed the application.

Once the proposed partnership is formalized, ALAPUAP is expected to further boost the promotion of Kalinga’s rich cultural heritage and tourism offerings.