08/09/2026
๐ฐ CTE UPDATES
Issue No. 2026A - 19 | 8 September 2026
๐ฉ Pre-service Teachers Discover Filipino Heritage at Museong Pambata
๐๏ธ Jeleen Mallari
On September 6, 2026, students from the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and the Bachelor of Elementary Education programs embarked on an insightful field trip to Museong Pambata, led by their department chair, Dr. Cecil Ronia. Enrolled in major subjects like Creative Arts, Music & Movement in ECED and Numeracy Development, the group set out with a clear goal: to observe, analyze, and design play-based, culturally rooted arts and movement activities tailored for young learners.
The tour offered a rich, immersive look into the heartbeat of Philippine history, culture, and traditional milestones. Beyond standard play, the museum deeply highlights the country's roots through historical icons and classic transportation. Students explored exhibits honoring pivotal figures in Philippine history, including national heroes like Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, and many more.
The journey through the nation's heritage extended to traditional modes of transit that shaped Filipino life. The museum showcased classic historical vehicles such as the horse-drawn kalesa, an old vintage train, and a striking display of a Spanish galleon, giving future educators a tangible sense of how the country's story unfolded across generations.
The tour offered an immersive look at how ordinary materials can spark extraordinary imagination. One of the standout features of the visit was the "Hierarchy of Settlement" (Pag-uuri sa Panahanan) exhibit. As noted by Jeleen M. Mallari, the room showcased thousands of cardboard box scraps molded and built into traditional Philippine houses, moving from the Capital City (Kabisera) down to the City (Lungsod), Town (Bayan), Village (Barangay), and Hamlet (Nayon). This display demonstrated how everyday waste can be transformed into powerful teaching tools, proving that children can be resourcefully creative using the simplest materials.
Adding to the cultural depth of the experience, the museum also featured a dedicated traditional house room. This space captured the warmth of Filipino heritage through displayed Filipinianas, old Filipino plates, wooden spoons, classic paintings, mirrors framed in weathered wood, and a vintage radio that echoed bygone eras.
Beyond the visual arts, the tour touched upon cultural soundscapes. A particularly memorable stop was the miniature replica of the Binondo Church. Stepping inside, students could view detailed miniature statues while traditional, soft Tagalog church music played in the background, creating a reflective, serene atmosphere.
The experience left a lasting impression on the future educators, highlighting the importance of weaving local culture, environmental awareness, and resourcefulness into modern teaching.
Reflecting on the immersive environment, Xy M. Catanyag shared how being fully immersed in play revealed how everyday items can be ingeniously transformed into something magical, offering fresh insights on weaving play into lessons in unconventional ways.
Expanding further on the journey, Bekah Infante noted how the museum's new Hiraya portals connected cultural preservation with environmental stewardship. She highlighted how the exhibits showcased the unique livelihoods of indigenous groups by the sea and forests, alongside practical learning concepts like parts of the body and interactive community street simulations. She observed how these connected seamlessly with ancient historical artifacts, including wildlife displays, traditional wooden instruments, native textiles, pottery, nipa hut settlements, and baybayin letterings. Capped off with traditional storytelling sessions and singing traditional songs that brought out her inner child, she reflected that true learning about the Filipino identity extends far beyond the four walls of a classroom.
I want to emphasize how the box-scrap exhibits reshaped classroom perspectives, noting a commitment to incorporating small, unrecognized everyday items into future lessons to show young learners that true creativity has no bounds. Ultimately, the educational tour served as a powerful reminder that nurturing a love for local heritage, environmental consciousness, and hands-on artistry is vital in shaping well-rounded, proud Filipino children.
