Patnubay para sa Magulang: Empowering Learning Indigenous Peoples Initiative for Sama-Bajau Parents
“Ahiya na ang onde onde.”
(“The child is already whole.”)
Though usually regarded as the world’s future, they are complete human beings now—at whatever age, in whatever developmental stage. They have needs now that ought to be addressed appropriately. They have rights now that ought to be respected and upheld at all times.
An eye-opening truth for some, this was a central point of discussion in the Empowering Learning Indigenous Peoples Initiative (ELIPI) Session on Positive Child Discipline shared with parents of Sama-Bajau learners residing in San Dionisio, Parañaque, held at the Sama-Bajau Activity Center on February 23, 2021.
Educator and theater artist Fredyl Hernandez of the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) was the main facilitator who emphasized the recognition of children as complete human beings with inalienable rights of their own. He shared Rated: PG, the video version of the banner play of PETA under its Advocate Rights to Safety (ARTS) Zone Project—a theater and cultural campaign against corporal punishment of children. He used this to initiate creative processing of insights and sharing of key inputs with the parent-participants.
Fredyl Hernandez (standing, rightmost), senior member of PETA, leads the workshop on Positive Child Discipline
The workshop aimed to deepen conversations on parenting that arose from Empowering Learning Indigenous Peoples Initiative (ELIPI) Sessions attended by the Sama-Bajau parents on January 27 and February 4, 2021, on the topics of COVID-19 health protocols and stress management.
Among the specific topics discussed during the three-hour workshop on February 23 were the following: (i) core principles of the rights of the child; (ii) evolving capacities of children, (iii) characteristics of effective child-rearing practices; and (iv) positive discipline.
To deepen their understanding and appreciation for the discussion points, simple expressive arts-based activities were shared with the participants. Among these were the creation of paper doll banderitas that symbolized what they hope to give to their children.
Paper doll banderitas created by the parents as a means to express their hopes for their children
From this exercise, Sama-Bajau parents expressed that children should be cared for and valued, should be provided with food, toys, and resources, and should be given access to education and opportunities for a good life.
In the ensuing discussion, the parents agreed that discipline should not be tantamount to punishment (“And disiplina ay hindi kapareho ng parusa”). In the final activity, each parent, thus, shared what they would like to stop doing and start practicing, as they seek to find a way of parenting that is more expressive of the love and value that they have for their children.
In family life, it is indeed ideal that parents and guardians recognize the wholeness of those for whom they care. Opportunities for them to engage in learning and conversation on relevant parenting topics become opportunities that inevitably enable their entire families to thrive.
Parents of Sama-Bajau learners with resource persons and organizers of the ELIPI Session on Positive Discipline
The series of Empowering Learning Indigenous Peoples Initiative (ELIPI) Sessions for the Sama-Bajau was organized in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development-National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR) and the City Social Welfare and Development Office of Parañaque, and in partnership Consuelo Zobel Alger Foundation.*
*Consuelo Zobel Alger Foundation is a private, for-purpose organization that champions women and children’s rights in the Philippines and in Hawai’i. With over 30 years of existence, the Foundation has been preventing and treating abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children, women, and their families. The Foundation is named after its Founder and Benefactress, the late Doña Consuelo Zobel Alger, whose generosity and genuine love for children allows us to renew hope for those who have lost it and give hope to those who never had it.
Consuelo Foundation’s Life Skills Plus program empowers children and youth through education and skills training so they, too, can lead, dream, and reach their full potential—and make a difference in our world. This program provides the learners with relevant learning materials to ensure sustained access to quality education. Children and youth are assisted with essential interventions to further build their knowledge, skills, and competencies to be empowered individuals.
For inquiries and info about Consuelo Foundation and this project, you may email: ask@consuelo.org or visit their social media accounts at Facebook and Instagram.