26 Papers presented during the 17 th Conference of the Science Council of Asia (SCA), 14-16 June 2017 SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND INNOVATION FOR INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT Volume XVII, No. 2 | JUNE 2018 | NRCP RESEARCH JOURNAL EXPLORING THE GENDER DIVISION OF LABOR IN THE WOOD CARVING INDUSTRY OF PAETE, LAGUNA Samuel Brando H. Piamonte 1 , Lei A. Pangilinan 2 , Harold M. Carag 3 , Zoraida V. Amper 4 , Patricia Camille V. Antony 5 , Annica V. Quakenbush 5 , Danao Afuang 5 1,2 Department of Social Sciences, niversity of the Philippines Los Baﾓos ͵ Institute of Biology, niversity of the Philippines, Diliman Ͷ Bondoc Peninsula Technological Institute, Technical ducation and Skills Development Authority 5 niversity of the Philippines Los Baﾓos ABSTRACT This study aims to explore the wood carving process in Paete, Laguna in terms of its division of labor and gender dimension. It also seeks to identify the reasons that lead to the level of participation of women in the said industry. ualitative methodology was utilized to address the objectives of this research through interviews with keyǦinformants, wood carvers, and business owners. Results revealed that the wood carving industry in Paete is dominated by men. The core processes of carving are performed mainly by men while the finishing processes are performed by women. Women’s institutionalized secondary role in wood carving, their physical limitations, the existence of Pagtataka in which women engage instead, and finally, their reproductive roles at home are the unearthed reasons for the low participation of women in the wood carving. Recommendations are presented towards the end of the study. Keywords: wood carving, gender division of labor, Paete