NCCA, KCFI Champion Filipino Values in Manila Schools Through ‘Baláy Pinoy’ Caravan
By Rebelyn Beyong
MANILA – The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Knowledge Channel Foundation, Inc. (KCFI) celebrated Filipino Values Month through the Bálay Pinoy School Caravan 2025, bringing interactive values education to high school and elementary learners in Manila on November 20 and 25.
Centered on this year’s theme “Unity and Change: Promoting Values for Common Good,” Bálay Pinoy is the NCCA’s flagship initiative to promote the 20 core Filipino values—including love for family and community, faith, compassion, and good governance—by integrating them into meaningful activities that build a resilient society.
NCCA Deputy Executive Director Marichu Tellano highlighted the significance of instilling these virtues during the formative years to shape the character of the youth.
"Dahil ang paniniwala natin dapat nagmumula sa murang edad ang pagbabalik tanaw kung ano mga mahalagang pag-uugali, pananaw sa buhay, at kung ano iyong mga importanteng bagay na mabubuo sa atin bilang isang tao, isang mahusay na estudyante at bata, at isang mahusay na Pilipino," Tellano stated.
Digital creativity for high schoolers
The caravan kicked off its first leg on November 20 at Florentino Torres High School, attended by 50 high school learners from 10 high schools across Manila. Recognizing the digital landscape the youth inhabits, KCFI Platforms and Partnerships Head Danie Sedilla-Cruz led an engaging Audio-Visual Storytelling workshop. During the workshop, she shared insights on content creation, stressing the importance of message over mere noise, especially in the digital age.
The session transitioned into "Edu-Tok," a TikTok challenge designed to inspire creativity among high school learners. Learners were tasked with strengthening their understanding and practice of Filipino values through short-form content creation. "We have to be critical... Everything that is there is content created by someone with an intention, with a message," Sedilla-Cruz told the learners, emphasizing the "MCT" (Message, Content Type, Platform) framework to help them become responsible digital citizens. Winners of the People’s Choice Award for the challenge received special tokens.
Fun and values for the youngest learners
The celebration continued with the elementary leg on November 25 at Fernando Ma. Guerrero Elementary School. 200 grade school learners were treated to lively performances by renowned ventriloquist Ony Carcamo, along with a selected learners from F. Ma. Guerrero ES. Carcamo, a multi-Palanca award-winning short story writer, playwright, and poet, engaged the children with humor and storytelling rooted in good manners.
The highlight for the younger audience was the appearance of Heneral Tuna, the intergalactic cat and star of the NCCA’s animated values series of the same name. Heneral Tuna, who made his debut on the Knowledge Channel in 2023, delighted the learners, serving as a relatable hero who embodies resilience and love for country.
Rina Lopez, President and Executive Director of KCFI, emphasized the critical role of early values formation in her message to the learners and teachers. also highlighted the crucial partnership between the home and school in teaching values. "Kapag bata pa tayo, dito na po ang puso at ugali natin. Kung matuto kayo maging magalang, matapat, may malasakit at may takot sa Diyos, ngayon, madadala ninyo ito hanggang paglaki... Hindi lang kayo nagiging magagaling na estudyante, nagiging mabuting tao at mabuting Pilipino kayo." Lopez said.
To reinforce the viewing experience, the caravan featured a “Knowledge on the Go” segment. Learners participated in a quiz bee based on episodes of Heneral Tuna and Wikaharian, winning prizes for correct answers. The activities aimed to nurture a generation that finds joy in discovery.
Sustaining values education
Beyond the caravan, the partnership aims for long-term impact through the development of new educational resources. "May proyekto po kami ng NCCA para gumawa ng 10 modules on Filipino values para sa GMRC Grades 1 to 3," Lopez announced during the event.
The project involves developing 10 digital educational modules based on Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) competencies. Each module will include activities and assessment tools to help learners apply Filipino values in daily life. These resources will be made freely accessible to educators via the KCFI website, the NCCA Learning Hub, and the Knowledge Channel Portable Media Library (KCPML).
Bridging the connectivity gap
As a token of gratitude and to ensure continuous learning, NCCA and KCFI turned over KCPML packages to the host schools (covering the High School and Alternative Learning System (ALS) levels, and the Kindergarten to Grade 6 levels respectfully). The KCPML provides offline access to over 1,500 video lessons and learning resources aligned with the Department of Education's curriculum.
The Bálay Pinoy Caravan serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring relevance of Filipino values in a changing world. By meeting learners where they are—whether on digital or in the classroom—the NCCA and KCFI are successfully keeping the essence of Filipino identity alive, one student at a time.