Reliving the Bayanihan Spirit: SPRCNHS Landayan Annex Narratives in the New Normal

Abstract

Bayanihan spirit has been culturally embedded among Filipinos throughout history. Bayanihan also known as tulongan or damayan, is common among Filipinos. In the Philippines, this is a system of mutual assistance and care that serves as a foundation for family and community. In times of adversity, natural calamities, and acts of God, bayanihan becomes a distinct Filipino culture. During this pandemic, the educational system becomes vulnerable to ensure the safety of all learners as well as stakeholders. The study is qualitative research and employed a narrative approach. The study explores the educational and socio-cultural contexts of the experiences among participants, embracing the stories of the pandemic and how it affected them in the "new normal" of the educational processes. Five teachers and five external stakeholders participated in this study. The paper also converges and corroborates the aggregate of teacher and stakeholder narratives. The outcomes include an understanding of the new normal, school and community preparation for the start of classes, narratives of the Bayanihan spirit as manifested by teachers and stakeholders, symbols describing feelings about Bayanihan, and significant experiences during the pandemic.