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July 6, 2021 – As part of the Department of Education’s Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS), T.A.L.A. (Tuklasin, Alamin, Likhain at Alalahanin) provided psychosocial support to elementary learners amidst the remote learning setup as it wrapped up its first season.

Led by the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS), the 11-episode web series helped children recognize and manage their emotions, especially having been deprived of play and social interaction due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Dahil limitado ang interaksyon sa ating kapwa, naging bihira ang pagkakataong linangin ang socio-emotional skills ng mga bata. Ang programang T.A.L.A. Tuklasin, Alamin, Likhain, at Alalahanin na hatid sa inyo ng DRRMS ay isa lamang sa pamamaraan ng Kagawaran upang bigyang atensyon ang pagtutok sa emotional at social development ng ating mga kabataan,” Undersecretary for Administration Alain Del B. Pascua explained in a message in the last episode of the program.

DRRMS collaborated with other organizations in conceptualizing the child-friendly program, incorporating elements and segments reminiscent of children’s shows like Batibot and Art Angel.

T.A.L.A. made a mark on its audience because of its entertaining storytelling sessions and the presence of Arki (derived from Ready Kid), the official DRRMS mascot, who made each episode more enjoyable and relatable for children.

The program has four segments: Tuklasin, talks about discovery through songs and exercises; Alamin is the storytelling session; Likhain features art-based activities based on the episode’s topic and story; and Alalahanin serving as a synthesis of the whole program.

Moreover, the show leaves parents, guardians, and teachers with important tips on how to help improve their child’s mental health based on the episode and theme tackled for the day in a segment called “Tala Para Sa Mga Magulang.”

Each episode also features a storyteller whether it is a DepEd official from the Central or Regional Offices, a teacher, or a representative from the show’s external partners.

In its last episode, T.A.L.A. showcased the story “Mama, Para! Para kay Mama” to introduce the growth mindset as a dimension of self-efficacy with DRRMS Director Ronilda Co as the storyteller.

“Nawa’y malaki ang naitulong ng mga aralin, storytelling at art activities ng programang ito. Ang mga aral na ipinamahagi ng T.A.L.A. ay habambuhay na dadalhin ng ating mga anak sa kanilang pagharap sa mga darating pang pagsubok. Patuloy tayong magiging matatag at malakas sa pamamagitan ng pagtutulungan at pagkakaisa, sama-sama nating malalampasan ang anumang hamon ng buhay,” Usec. Alain noted.

T.A.L.A. was made possible through a partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Komunidad X, University of the Philippines Los Baños – Department of Human and Family Development Studies, Save the Children Philippines, the DepEd Bureau of Learning Resources, and UPLB Tsikiting Stories.

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