In the upland community of Sitio Manabayukan, literacy is not only taught, it is lived, spoken, and passed from one generation to the next. On October 17, 2025, a significant step toward inclusive and culturally grounded education took place as the Culture-Based Curriculum Development component of Project Aytalakad Ing Lahi successfully conducted the pilot testing and validation of Aeta Mag-Anchi Bloom’s Books initiative. The activity brought together educators and community leaders in a shared and collective effort to ensure that the educational materials in their native language remain rooted in cultural authenticity while preserving the integrity of indigenous knowledge and narratives.
The activity was organized and led by Dr. Myrel M. Santiago, Component Head of Culturally-Based Curriculum Development, and Overall Project Head Dr. Francelle L. Calub, in collaboration with the Saint Louis University - School of Advanced Studies. The guest experts included Dr. Stephenie Busbus, Dr. Geraldine Wakat, Dr. Dorothy Silva, Ms. Johnell Desalit, and Ms. Vernalyn Munar. The initiative was also participated by Sitio Manabayukan community members and leaders led by Ms. Gloria William and Ms. Ofelia Dales, along with the teachers of Sitio Manabayukan Elementary School headed by Dr. Carol Simbulan.
Through this initiative, this is to guarantee that the curriculum aligns with the lived experiences of the Aeta Mag-Anchi community and meets educational standards.
The validation and pilot testing commenced through the teaching demonstration of one of the books titled Mitata Anak authored by Ms. Vangie Mangila, Ms. Jonalyn J. Sibal, Ms. Anabelle Gutierrez, and Ms. Crisanta Dalis participated in by Aeta Mag-Anchi students. It was joined by guest experts Dr. Stephenie Busbus, Dr. Dorothy Silva, Dr. Geraldine Wakat, Ms. Vernalyn Munar, and Ms. Johnell Desalit from SLU, together with Dr. Francelle Calub, Dr. Myrel Santiago, and Dr. Brendalyn Manzano of TSU.
Meanwhile, another validation and pilot testing by Ms. Johnell Desalit from SLU, together with Dr. Francelle and Dr. Myrel Santiago, teaching the Kanén in Stage 3 authored by Ms. Vangie Mangila and Ms. Jonalyn J. Sibal.
After the students’ participation in the validation and pilot testing, guests from Saint Louis University asked questions related to the books to test their ability in reading the books translated into the Aeta Mag-Anchi language, identified areas that need improvement, and to test the book guidelines and content relevance to the curriculum. In addition, Ms. Vangie Mangila and Mr. Elimar De Guzman, faculty members of Manabayukan Elementary School, joined the validation and pilot testing by answering the Book Quality Checklist and Teacher’s Book Evaluation Form.
Following the pilot testing and validation, this will further determine the effectiveness of the materials and provide an avenue for necessary adjustments. The process ensures the quality of design and packaging, making the educational resources not only reliable and culturally grounded but also visually appealing and accessible to all learners of Sitio Manabayukan.
More than a validation and pilot testing activity, the initiative became a form of cultural affirmation where Aeta Mag-Anchi students read and understood their language honored in print. Project Aytalakad Ing Lahi, through its commitment, strengthens a deeper message that education has no boundaries and is carried to the future generations of Sitio Manabayukan.
