The study aimed to develop culture-based lessons in Biology 9, integrating indigenous medicinal plants and practices in Cagraray Island. These developed lessons were designed incorporating features of research results, problem-based approach, active learning, and culture- or context-based teaching. The accounts from eight folk healers revealed the abundance of indigenous medicinal plants and practices for treating wounds, hypertension, anemia, cough and colds, and asthma. These illnesses were used as springboard for the development of five culture-based lessons with entry points in the K - 12 curriculum. Implemented to 45 Grade 9 learners for five consecutive days at Cawayan National High School, the culture-based lessons were found effective in developing learning outcomes like conceptual understanding, metacognition, science process skills, and cultural appreciation using quantitative data analysis ( p < .05). Qualitative data also supported these findings through Focus-Group Discussion (FGD), journal entries, interviews, and observations. Educational philosophy for culture-based learning revealed the need to incorporate hands-on activities producing concrete evidences for culture-based learning. In general, the study concluded with the potentiality of using indigenous medicine as resources for culture-based lessons in biology. For further study, it is recommended to design and develop more studies about local medicinal plants so they can be integrated, as well as multiple cultural facets, to culture-based lessons.

For many years, folk medicine has been the resort of many less privileged families who do not have access to modern health care facilities. A parasantigwar is a term coined to a folk healer in Cagraray island, Philippines, a native version of a doctor trained in traditional manner providing indigenous medicinal help in the locale. This study aimed to ground the lived experiences of these parasantigwar on their acquisition of folk healing skills. Phenomenology approach was conducted by immersion and interview to 8 identified parasantigwar through referral sampling technique. Result revealed that (1) apprenticeship to a folk healer in the family and (2) life setbacks of families were grounds which opted the parasantigwar to resort into traditional healing through cultural transmission and motivation by needs deficiency. This resulted to the parasantigwar’s acquisition of practices through (1) passed knowledge and (2) aggregated learned skill. It was concluded that family plays an important role in the assimilation of the folk healing skill where this immediate environment is responsible for the transmission of the observed culture and development of motivation to suffice needs. Further studies need to be conducted to understand healing practices especially to the surrounding islands showing similarity in origins of folk healing practice.

The implementation of Philippine K-12 curriculum brings hope to its educational system on lifting up the poor academic standing of Filipino learners in national and international assessments. With its implementation in 2012, rectification in the instructional practices of science teachers was expected to boost the academic performance of learners. This study aimed to document the instructional practices of teachers and its correlation to the academic achievement of learners in science. A total of 96 teachers and 240 grade 10 learners were randomly selected from 6 schools in provincial and city areas of Albay, Philippines. This was employed through paper survey to the identified respondents with focus in the quantitative aspect of the study. Results revealed instructional practices emphasizing the use of differentiation for planning, spiraling and inquiry in the delivery, and product-focused and differentiation in assessment. Negligence in the use of technology is attributed to effort and preparation issues, age, and computer anxiety. Academic achievement of learners across all curricular programs in science was below the expected standards of the national policy indicating that learning is not at par with the prospects of Philippine K-12 curriculum. Correlational test revealed high relationship between academic achievement and instructional delivery, while moderate relationship to planning and assessment of instruction. It was concluded that teachers were not proficient enough in applying K-12 curriculum instructional practices to enhance the academic achievement of learners. The need to participate in ICT-based seminars in science, and paralleling instructional planning, delivery, and assessment practices were suggested.