Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) offered Pasali Respect Facilitators an inspiring 9-Day Immersion last December 3 to 12 which was held at the PETA Center, New Manila, Quezon City. The event, mainly organized and initiated by the former’s Program Executive Director, Mr. Wilson Billones, exposed the seven facilitators to a variety of theatre performances focusing on the different forms of staging and theatre techniques. This enabled the facilitators to experience and appreciate the production processes, both on stage and offstage, for the enhancement of their Mobile Theater Production and furthermore share Respect Education and Mindanao’s culture.

​Among the unforgettable and exciting part of this immersion was the privilege to witness two amazing actual stage plays, “The Tempest: Reimagined” and “A Game of Trolls”. Both portrayed realities that were experienced by typical and elite members of Filipino society. After which, an enriching linking and learning conversation with the stage actors and some production staff followed.

​Moreover, the facilitators were able to observe 3 classes of weekend workshop rehearsals and got to experience the so-called “shadowing” where they sat, observed, asked and worked with the production and technical teams that were behind the above-mentioned plays. In addition, discussion on Curriculum Orientation and Consultation was also facilitated by PETA artist-teachers. This was apparently a refresher that summarized the noble accomplishments of the Pasali-PETA partnership.

Finally, mixed emotions of excitement and anxiety surfaced during series of rehearsals up to the final showcasing of the “Magkanawong” play - a Mobile Theater Production of Respect Education Program. This instance resulted to a shorter version of a 45 to 20-minute show to cater even non-school-based venues and events. Helpful insights and recommendations were also shared by some of the PETA members and artists to further improve the play. This performance was a breakthrough for the Pasali team in giving their best amidst audience from different walks of life and experience to play along with the theatrical lights and other effects inside one of the most-admired theater center in the Philippines. Though tired and exhausted, this once in a lifetime experience has surely afforded the Pasali facilitators with new learnings that will help them inspire and touch more lives of less privileged children especially of IP and Moro communities in Mindanao.      

The system offers practical techniques to help teachers maximize their potentials. It is a one-on-one follow-up coaching session between the Pasali facilitator and the recipient teacher prior to the actual application inside the classroom. This intervention aims to enhance the lesson plan to make it more creative by employing group dynamics that connect with the topic and by adopting Respect methodologies in the process.

The Buddy-buddy System gives teachers opportunities to be exposed to different teaching approaches as well as understanding children's individual intelligences. What's more is to enhance their teaching method, develop their creative lesson plan and promote active participation of the learners. So far, this initiative was found applicable in the following subjects: Science, Filipino, HEKASI, English and Mathematics. This also facilitates a wholesome learning experience for the children. Teachers in the target schools have already tried it and are able to sustain the use of such methodology .
At the end of the day, both teacher and the learner benefit from the approach

In line with the implementation of Republic act No. 10533, the Department of Education issues the policy on the Learning Action Cell (LAC) as a K to 12 Basic Education Program School-Based Continuing Professional Development Strategy for the Improvement of Teaching and Learning. LAC is supported by DepEd Order No. 35, series of 2016. 

Seizing this opportunity, therefore Pasali Philippines Foundation offers its effort thru a 3-hour session on Creativity on Education every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month. This session combines topics such as Respect Methodologies, Tools of a Teacher, Elements of Artistic Expression, Rules of Improvisation, Integrated Theater Arts, and Creative Lesson Planning. Its aim is to allow the teachers appreciate the use of creative and culture-based teaching strategies in the classroom. This is done by coming up with creative lesson plans integrating Respect Education methodologies while utilizing appropriate group dynamics and exercises in different subjects.

As the process  goes, the facilitators conduct the activity creatively with much of exercises that can be used also by the teachers in their daily teaching. The bottom end of this activity is to persuade the teachers to become innovative in their teaching approaches where each child feels safe, accepted, and able to partake in a wholesome and rewarding learning environment.

In addition, the activity is school-based in nature and is being implemented in the recipient schools of the Respect Education Program primarily with its 10 focused schools in Palimbang (6 schools), General Santos (2 schools) and Maasim and Malungon, Sarangani Province (1 school each). It started last September 23, 2016 and is still currently to more schools due to the requests of the School Heads and teachers.