Eight participants from Chaminade University in Honolulu, Hawaii are in Negros Oriental to learn the Cebuano language and the Philippine culture for six weeks until July 23.
Headed by their project director, Dr. Eva Rose B. Washburn-Repollo, the participants are recipients of a Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad Program of the U.S. Department of Education, through the Cebuano Language and Culture Program (CLCP) of Chaminade University’s Communication and Education Departments.
Chaminade University is hosting a short-term curriculum development project here in the Cebuano speaking region of the Philippines, particularly in Negros Oriental (Dumaguete City, Apo Island off the coast of the southern town of Dauin, and the northern city of Bais), and in Bohol.
“The participants are undergraduate and graduate Education majors, K-12 teachers, and administrators and higher education instructors who traveled over to develop Cebuano-English educational resource materials on the islands of Negros Oriental and Bohol in the central Visayas region of the Philippines, where the Cebuano language is spoken primarily,” said Dr. Washburn-Repollo, a former Speech professor at Silliman University, and a native of Tanjay and Bais.
The participants of the CLCP are Kalika Ayin, doctoral student LeAndre Browne, Brittni Friendlander (who happens to be Miss Philippines-Hawaii 2022), Terrius Harrisis, Asst. Prof. Maiana Minahal, masteral student Clarissa Torres, Jessica Watkins, and Kauanoeanuhea Zabala-Moore. Travelling with them are Dr. Roseler and Dr. Repollo.
They will be interacting with language experts in the country, and teachers in Apo Island like: Mervena Lou Arranguez, Analie Regalado, Jose Bryan Arranguez, Kathlyn Balucan, Amethyst Arranguez, Harold Suan, Francia Rose Olpos, and Anna Lyn Abella.
Dr. Repollo said the central goal of the CLCP is to increase Hawai‘i’s capacity to offer Filipino culture-based education in its K-12 classrooms. “By honoring children’s home language and culture, the improvement of student engagement and learning outcomes is enhanced,” Dr. Repollo said.
She explained that the lesson plans the participants will develop with the help of Silliman professors and teachers at Apo Island, and other creative products will focus on coral reef, fishing, mangroves, and indigenous remedies.
“The project leverages Chaminade’s strong teacher education program, and links to Hawai‘i’s K-12 classrooms, its success rate working with diverse student populations, and its strong connections to the Hawaii’s Filipino community,” Dr. Repollo said.
Her connections to the Philippines, and partner institutions like Silliman, and her background in curriculum development and creative pedagogies will be supported by Chaminade’s School of Business & Communication and the School of Behavioral Science & Education. (Irma Faith Pal)
