St. Dominic College of Asia, Philippines

ArtReach Program

St. Dominic College of Asia (SDCA), a higher education institution in the Philippines, fulfils its mission of providing quality education, innovative research, and community service. The Multimedia Department initiated a program to preserve the culture of the Dumagat Tribe, one of the Philippines' largest and oldest Indigenous people’s groups, located in the Sierra Madre mountains of Rizal Province.

Aligned with UNESCO's Sustainable Development Goal of Quality Education, the project engages SDCA students in community service, integrating creativity and arts. Multimedia Arts students actively participate in various community programs, including gift giving, literacy, and training initiatives for the Dumagat Community.

These experiences inspire creative outputs such as digital storybooks and drawing guides showcasing Dumagat culture. Shared within the SDCA community, these materials promote cultural understanding and advocacy.

The ArtReach program, initiated in March 2020, seeks to integrate these creative outputs into SDCA's General Education curriculum, supporting the Commission on Higher Education's efforts to preserve the Philippines' cultural identity through Indigenous peoples' education.

Top 3 Learnings

1. Exploring Dumagat Tribe's culture deepened our appreciation for Philippines' diverse ancestral heritage and cultural richness.
2. The program allowed us to recognize the need for sustainable solutions in remote areas to preserve culture and enhance quality of life.
3. The program deepened our understanding of discipline, enriching personal values and professional knowledge simultaneously.