Months of collaborative work came to fruition as Project Aytalakad Ing Lahi concluded with the formal turnover of 18 culturally-grounded Bloom Books to Aeta Mag-Antsi learners of Manabayukan Elementary School during the project’s culminating ceremony held on 25 July 2026 at the Tarlac State University (TSU) Main Audio-Visual Room. The turnover marked the completion of a joint initiative among Saint Louis University School of Advanced Studies (SLU-SAS), TSU, Manabayukan Elementary School (MES), and the Department of Education – Tarlac Province.
Developed through the combined efforts of teachers, illustrators, language experts, and members of the Aeta Mag-Antsi community, the Bloom Books were designed to support early literacy while reflecting the learners’ language and cultural heritage. Representing SLU during the ceremony were SAS Dean Faridah Kristi C. Wetherick, PhD, Teacher Education Graduate Program Coordinator Dorothy Silva, PhD, Stephenie D. Busbus, PhD, and Ms. Johnell B. Desalit.
In her message, Dr. Wetherick emphasized the importance of recognizing learners’ identities in education, stating, “Culturally responsive education is not about adapting learners to fit our curriculum. It is about allowing the curriculum to embrace the learners’ identity.” The Dean of the TSU College of Arts and Social Sciences Myrel M. Santiago, PhD traced the development of Project Aytalakad Ing Lahi, recognizing the contributions of the partner institutions, teachers, and community members who worked together across the project’s different stages.
The Bloom Books were developed through a series of culture-based curriculum development activities that equipped teachers with approaches to integrating indigenous knowledge, local stories, and community experiences into literacy instruction. As part of the project, members of the SLU team visited Sitio Manabayukan to engage with the Aeta Mag-Antsi community and gain a deeper understanding of the learners’ language, traditions, and everyday experiences. The visit informed the development of the learning materials. Dr. Silva joined the SLU delegation during the community visit and pilot testing.
Building on these engagements, Geraldine S. Wakat, PhD, Dr. Busbus, and Ms. Desalit served as trainers and resource persons throughout the project. Through workshops, mentoring sessions, and technical discussions, they guided teachers from Manabayukan Elementary School in story development, technical review, and classroom validation. Members of the Aeta Mag-Antsi community also took part in reviewing the stories, providing feedback that helped ensure the books reflected local language, culture, and lived experiences before publication.
Reflecting on the project’s journey, Francelle L. Calub, PhD, Overall Project Head, shared, “We knew that the work could not end with a dissertation. We had to ask what happened next.” She further emphasized, “Meaningful extension work cannot remain inside hotels, offices, or meeting rooms. We have to go where the community is, listen to the people, understand the learners’ realities, and allow the local context to shape and improve our work.”
The ceremony also included the signing of the Deed of Donation by TSU President Jasper Jay N. Mendoza, PhD, and MES Principal Cyril E. Dionida, formally entrusting the Bloom Books to the school for classroom use.
During the program, Dr. Busbus shared one of the project’s aspirations for the learners, saying, “Our goal is one book per student… They will bring it home, and it’s their own.”
For SLU, participation in Project Aytalakad Ing Lahi reflects its continuing commitment to advancing research, instruction, and extension through partnerships that respond to community needs. Such initiatives align with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 4 (Quality Education), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
As the Bloom Books begin to be used in the classrooms of Manabayukan Elementary School, they also open new opportunities for Aeta Mag-Antsi learners to see their language, culture, and identity reflected in the stories they read affirming the CICM Advocacy of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation.
As Dr. Wetherick reminded those present, “The greatest power of a book is that it tells every child, every learner: You belong here.” (Article by J. Desalit | Photos by SAS)
