April 30, 2026
Quezon City, Philippines — The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) convened a Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting to develop an enhanced Araling Panlipunan (Social Studies) curriculum framework for Catholic schools.
The meeting was spearheaded by Mr. Narcy Ador F. Dionisio, CEAP Executive Director, together with the Advocacy and Public Engagement Unit. Educators and partner institutions from various Catholic schools came together to align academic standards through embedding Catholic Social Teaching, civic responsibility, and social advocacies into the learning experience of Filipino students.
A key focus of the meeting was the proposed framework for Araling Panlipunan curriculum enhancement, anchored on five domains: historical and cultural understanding; civic and political literacy; socioeconomic awareness; environmental and sustainable development awareness; and critical thinking and media literacy. These domains are designed to empower learners to be historically informed, civically responsible, socially aware, and globally competent. Mr. Dionisio underscored the importance of weaving these dimensions into curriculum design to ensure that Catholic schools go beyond minimum benchmarks set by the Department of Education.
The TWG is composed of educators and members from Catholic Association of Social Studies Teachers (CASST); Mr. Wilson Padillon (Blessed Sacrament Catholic School); Mr. Renz R. Gali (Miriam College); Mrs. Cheryl Beltran; Mrs. Loida T. Degorio (Immaculate Conception Academy); Ms. Rosanna A. Diwa; Mr. Kristiene Nathaniel Miranda (Claret School of Quezon City); Ms. Shiela Marie Baron; Ms. Cherry Mae S. Tingzon (Notre Dame of Dadiangas University); Dr. Ariel Bravo; Mr. Raymund P. Banaticla (University of St. La Salle – Bacolod); and Dr. Dave Ceasar F. Dela Cruz (St. Mary College of Quezon City). These members were divided into six clusters covering Kindergarten to College, each tasked with reviewing and enhancing the curriculum for their assigned grade levels.
Through this initiative, CEAP reaffirms its mission to nurture learners who are academically competent, socially conscious, environmentally responsible, and spiritually grounded. By enhancing the Araling Panlipunan curriculum, CEAP seeks to form students who embody Catholic values while being prepared to engage meaningfully in the nation’s civic and cultural life.
