The University of Southeastern Philippines — College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) has recently concluded the Capacity-building in Writing Bagobo-Tagabawa Learning Materials Phase 2 through the extension program, Pangandoy: A Community-Based Education for the Bagobo-Tagabawa Indigenous People last September 2-6, 2024, at the Velvet Suits, Oroderm Strip Mall, Davao City.
The five-day event gathered several CAS faculty members and collaborated with Matanem Reynante Talabon and Bai Maricel Talabon, teaching personnel of Tagabawa Christian School in Astorga, Sta Cruz, Davao del Sur, to co-write learning materials based on Tagabawa folklore and indigenous way of life.
The first day of the capacity-building was graced by University President Dr. Bonifacio G. Gabales who acknowledged the growing realization of the University’s goal to transform vulnerable and disadvantaged groups and communities. Meanwhile, CAS Dean Dr. Marnie Grace I. Sonico lauded the dedication and commitment of Mathematics, Filipino, and Language educators who were present in the workshop.
During the morning session of the same day, Matenem Reynante, Administrator of Bagobo-Tagabawa Christian School, updated the team regarding their use of the instructional materials previously given to them. Transitioning to the afternoon session, Project Leader Dr. Catherine M. Roble headed the workshop proper. Subsequent are the breakout sessions where each prescribed lesson in a learning area, namely English, Filipino, Mathematics, and Literature, was contextualized into the Bagobo-Tagabawa worldview.
The second day saw the formulation of learning competencies and assessments across learning areas. Dr. Roble once again headed the workshop proper. This was followed by the breakout session for Formulating Learning Competencies and Assessments in the Bagobo-Tagabawa Learning Materials for each learning area. Assoc. Prof. Sajed S. Ingilan and Asst. Prof. Joy R. Risonar facilitated the English learning area; Asst. Prof. Junil A. Altes, Dr. Geoffrey S. Marfa, and Assoc. Prof. Luden L. Baterina facilitated for Filipino; Assoc. Prof. Remegia L. Ganot, Assoc. Prof. Fe F. Largo, and Assoc. Prof. Percival B. Cabang for Mathematics; and Asst. Prof. Josephine May Grace A. Famoso, Assoc. Prof. Angelo Lenard E. Yu, Ms. Maria Danica P. Ching, and Mr. Frank Lloyd A. de la Cruz for Literature.
The CAS faculty was privileged to collaborate with representatives from Tagabawa Christian School, namely Reycel Grace R. Talabon and Charmaine Faith C. Talabon, who provided the contexts and translations relevant to the writing of the learning materials. Illustrations were also created by young Bagobo-Tagabawa artist Joquim E. Alig.
The third day was spent on the presentation and review of enhanced outputs, directed continually by Dr. Roble. The Filipino, Mathematics, and English learning materials were reviewed by Assoc. Prof. Luden, Assoc. Prof. Cabang, and Assoc. Prof. Risonar, respectively.
The participation of the elder Matanem Alberto L. Bonleon not only provided time-tested insights during the consultation process but also captured the multi-generational approach of the extension program, confirming the consent and intent of three generations of the Bagobo-Tagabawa community in Astorga to partner with USeP.
During the fourth day of the extension, the CAS Gender and Development Focal Person Reah Izza T. Paglinawan presented key insights and guidelines for crafting Gender-Sensitive Learning Materials. She emphasized a contextualized awareness of the topic especially that gender-sensitivity for the Bagobo-Tagabawa and other indigenous cultures does not always mean gender-neutral as certain instances call for either the male or female address. The rest of the day was spent to continuously review and evaluate the learning materials.
On the fifth day, apart from the crafting of the learning materials, the resource persons from the Bagobo-Tagabawa community also graced the workshop’s mini-talk show wherein Bai Maricel and Matanem Reynante outlined the traditional role of women and men in the community. The elder Matanem Alberto also gave his attestations to the perceived history and lore of their community. Assoc. Prof. Ingilan and the Institute of Languages and Creative Arts Director Francis N. Regino hosted the mini-shows.
The presentations and evaluations of final outputs by all the included learning areas were also accomplished during the last day. Copies of the learning materials were given to the Bagobo-Tagabawa resource persons. The five-day capacity-building was capped by the awarding of certificates and the closing remarks of Extension Director Dr. Roby Pagong.
The Pangandoy projects to continue the next phase of the capacity-building in October this year in which the faculty envisions visiting the Bagobo-Tagabawa Christian School in Astorga to further finetune the learning materials as they are applied in the classrooms with the end goal of hopeful collaboration between USeP and the indigenous communities.
Caption and phots by Ambrosio Delalamon
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