Pedagogical Innovations Based on Philippine Cultural Practices: A Framework for Culturally Responsive Teaching in Higher Education

Hannah Camiring-Picpican; Kenedy Flores; Reymarie Caban; Sherelaida Mohadali; Don Galdonez; Cherry Alih

doi:10.63931/ijchr.v7iSI2.168

Authors

Hannah Camiring-Picpican Saint Louis College https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1755-4172
Kenedy Flores Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7885-6069
Reymarie Caban Apayao State College https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3305-1510
Sherelaida Mohadali Tawi-Tawi Regional Agricultural College https://orcid.org/0009-0005-9422-3380
Don Galdonez Philippine Normal University https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2677-9823
Cherry Alih Mindanao State University Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography Tawi-Tawi https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4026-9016

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63931/ijchr.v7iSI2.168

Keywords:

culturally responsive pedagogy, indigenous knowledge systems, higher education, Philippine culture, bayanihan, decolonial theory, kuwentuhan, inclusive education, intercultural competence, culturally rooted teaching model

Abstract

Amid growing globalization and educational homogenization, this research delves into how indigenous Filipino cultural practices may be used as the ground for culturally responsive and inclusive pedagogy in Philippine HEIs. Grounded in Decolonial Theory and Culturally Responsive Pedagogy, the study used qualitative approaches such as ethnographic record, interviews, and observations of classroom interactions to investigate the incorporation of values like bayanihan (solidarity), pagtutulungan (mutual aid), kuwentuhan (narrative sharing), and indigenized rituals into teaching practices. Findings indicate that these practices not only enrich student commitment and identity formation but also develop critical thinking, empathy, and intercultural competence. By thematic analysis, the study evolved the Culturally Rooted Pedagogical Framework (CRPF) as a localized model that synchronizes academic rigor with cultural rootedness. The CRPF prioritizes curriculum significance, faculty cultural awareness, and world-scale adaptability while authenticating local knowledge systems. The study concludes that the incorporation of indigenous pedagogies into HEI practices not only seeks educational equity but also reclaims oppressed epistemologies, making the classroom a culturally affirming and socially transformative environment. This project provides a disciplined and scalable model for decolonizing Philippine higher education.

Author Biographies

Hannah Camiring-Picpican, Saint Louis College

Hannah Camiring-Picpican is a faculty member of the Languages Department under the College of Arts, Sciences, Technology, and Education at Saint Louis College, San Fernando City, La Union, Philippines. She teaches courses in language and communication, and is actively involved in interdisciplinary instruction and student development. Her academic and professional interests include language pedagogy, critical discourse, and education in multicultural contexts.
Email: picpicanh@slc-sflu.edu.ph | ORCID: 0009-0007-1755-4172.

Kenedy Flores, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University

Kenedy Gundran Flores is an Instructor I at Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University – Mid La Union Campus, based in San Fernando City, La Union, Philippines. He teaches courses in Political Science, Gender Studies, and Public Administration under the College of Arts and Sciences. His research interests include youth governance, local political institutions, gender and development, and the digitalization of public service delivery. He is also actively involved in extension programs and policy advocacy aimed at empowering marginalized communities and promoting participatory governance.
Email: kenflores@dmmmsu.edu.ph | kenedygundranflores@gmail.com | ORCID: 0009-0000-7885-6069.

Reymarie Caban, Apayao State College

Reymarie M. Caban is a faculty member at Apayao State College in Apayao, Philippines. She is engaged in teaching and research within the field of social sciences and community development, with a focus on regional development, public policy, and local governance. Her work reflects a commitment to advancing education and sustainable development in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.
Email: cabanreymarie@gmail.com | ORCID: 0009-0009-3305-1510.

Sherelaida Mohadali, Tawi-Tawi Regional Agricultural College

Sherelaida D. Mohadali is a faculty member at Tawi-Tawi Regional Agricultural College in Tawi-Tawi, Mindanao, Philippines. Her teaching and research interests lie in agricultural education, rural development, and inclusive learning practices in Mindanao’s marginalized communities. She is dedicated to empowering learners through context-sensitive instruction and community-engaged scholarship that addresses the unique challenges of island provinces.
Email: yemeza23@gmail.com | ORCID: 0009-0005-9422-3380.

Don Galdonez, Philippine Normal University

Don C. Galdonez is a faculty member of the Faculty of Teacher Development at the Philippine Normal University – North Luzon Campus, located in Alicia, Isabela, Philippines. His academic work centers on teacher education, curriculum innovation, and the professional development of future educators in Northern Luzon. He is committed to advancing transformative education practices and contributing to the development of high-quality teaching standards in the region.
Email: galdonez.dc@pnu.edu.ph | ORCID: 0009-0000-2677-9823.

Cherry Alih, Mindanao State University Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography Tawi-Tawi

Cherry B. Alih is a faculty member at the Mindanao State University – Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography, located in Tawi-Tawi, Mindanao, Philippines. She specializes in interdisciplinary teaching and research that intersect science education, environmental sustainability, and coastal community development. Her work is rooted in advancing inclusive education and fostering resilience among learners in remote and maritime regions of the Philippines.
Email: cherryalih@msutawi-tawi.edu.ph | ORCID: 0009-0009-4026-9016.

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