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Cartwheel launches the Music and Art Education Program
Strengthening its mission of providing indigenous peoples with access to quality and culturally appropriate education and keeping cultural heritage alive, Cartwheel has developed and launched the Music and Art Education Program. The program aims to integrate indigenous music and art into the basic education curriculum of Cartwheel’s partner indigenous communities. It upholds the importance of arts education especially among the indigenous youth in knowing and appreciating their unique identity and culture and expressing themselves through their own forms of art.
The first phase of the program is the Music and Art Exchange Workshop with partner Music for the People (MFTP), a classical ensemble based in the U.S. The workshop will serve as an initial activity to jump start the process of curriculum development for the music and art program. The workshop will culminate in a concert where the community musicians and artists will perform with the MFTP Ensemble. Soon thereafter starts the curriculum development stage with workshops participated by the community elders, teachers, and youth. The product of this phase in the program will be put in writing through a manual or handbook to serve as an implementation guide for the teachers.
Cartwheel’s first partner for the program is the Tala-Andig community of Miarayon, Bukidnon. The launch took place in June 2007 with 5 members of MFTP working with community members in an 8-day workshop and a culminating concert in Cagayan de Oro city.
Read more about the Music and Art Education Program launch in Miarayon here.
Cartwheel scholars guest speakers at IP Conference
Cartwheel scholars and graduates Geneth Layocan and Paula Subalan were special guest speakers at the national conference on Indigenous Higher Education in the Philippines: Focus on Mindanao. The two-day national conference, organized by the University of Southeastern Philippines in partnership with Minority Care International, aimed to bring to light the ongoing efforts and future directions towards quality higher education for indigenous people. Geneth and Paula each shared their experiences and insights being indigenous youth studying in big-city universities. Both graduated in March 2006 – Geneth attained her diploma in AB Sociology from Bukidnon State University while Paula graduated with a degree in AB Socio-Anthropology from Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan. They are both currently working at Pamulaan Center in Davao as Youth Volunteers.
Cartwheel scholar passes LET Exam
Cartwheel scholar Pinky Enecito passed the 2007 Philippine Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) last October. Pinky earned her degree in Bachelor in Elementary Education in Bukidnon State University last March 2005. Since graduating, she has been a teacher and adviser in St. Therese of Miarayon High School in her hometown in Miarayon, Bukidnon. Pinky joins Cecilia Enecito, who passed the LET in 2005, in the roster of LET passers among Cartwheel’s scholars.
New community partners
In Cartwheel’s effort to continue bringing education where it’s needed most, Cartwheel staff and volunteers conducted visits to other IP areas and communities seeking partnership. Cartwheel is prioritizing the communities of our scholars, thus deepening our relationship and engagement with these communities. In Mindanao, Cartwheel explored potential areas in Cotobato, Sultan Kudarat and Davao. In Luzon, visits to Palawan and Nueva Ecija were also conducted. The area visits have resulted in the forging of new partnerships for Cartwheel with the communities in Marilog District in Davao, Putlan in Nueva Ecija, as well as in Aborlan, Palawan. Activities are already underway in Nueva Ecija and Cartwheel is looking forward to future developments with these new partners.
Peace Education that works
Peace Education sessions have facilitated another breakthrough in the community of Mangyans in Paitan. The three-month project in partnership with Tugdaan Center, ILAWAN Volunteer and Leadership Center, Cartwheel and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) through their Conflict Prevention and Peace Building Programme, culminated last February 28, 2007.
After three sessions of Culture of Peace were conducted, thirty-six (36) Mangyan Peace Advocates coming from three Barangays were formed. A Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) Plant is operating with VCO products already out in the market! These endeavors sustain the efforts and advocacy of the Mangyan community of Paitan and of Tugdaan, an IP community run school.
Cartwheel Scholar completes Education Degree
March 2007 marked another graduation of one of Cartwheel’s college scholars. Loella Onda received her diploma in Bachelor of Elementary Education (Filipino) from Bukidnon State University. Her sponsor, Mr. Efren Samonte, formerly of Unilever , flew to Bukidnon from Manila to meet Loella for the first time and join her in celebrating this significant event. Soon after graduation, Loella retuned home to Miarayon, Bukidnon and joined Cartwheel’s Pre-School Program as Teacher for the Sta. Teresita Pre-School in Sitio Abel.
Volunteers ignite the Cartwheel Team
Volunteers continue to play a big role in Cartwheel’s work. In the past year, Cartwheel has been lucky to have a number of generous people choosing to share their time and talents in the service of the indigenous peoples. Australian volunteer Katharine Sciglitano worked at the Cartwheel office, helping in resource mobilization and the development of the Cartwheel’s Music and Art program. Kath worked closely with former Cartwheel scholar and Program Officer for Adult Education Eleneday Batistil in planning and coordinating the workshop with Music for the People in Miarayon and the culminating concert in Cagayan de Oro City. Eric Sister was on hand, as well, to capture the Music and Art program activities and produced a video documentary of the proceedings entitled, “Tala-Andig Kay”. Another volunteer, Leelinda Abanonga took time out as Project Leader of The 500-Peso Project in Cagayan de Oro.
Thank you to all the generous people who share our mission!
