Cartwheel Foundation, Inc.

20/08/2026

Last July 29, Cartwheel Program Officers Sharrie Espiritu and Yanna Cariño facilitated a Suli-suli, or kwentuhan session, with Sama-Bajau parents at the Sama-Bajau Activity Center in Parañaque.

The session began with a check-in and kumustahan, creating space for parents to share how they have been and what matters to them at this time. This was followed by a needs assessment, an introduction to the new school year and academic calendar, and discussions on possible livelihood opportunities with the City Livelihood Office.

Through Suli-suli, Cartwheel creates space to listen to the experiences, priorities, and insights of Sama-Bajau parents as programs are shaped with the community.

Thank you to the Sama-Bajau parents who joined us and shared their time, thoughts, and stories. 💛

11/08/2026

Last July 28, 2026, some team members from Thrive and Woolworths visited the Sama Bajau Activity Center in Parañaque City to spend time with the learners, teachers, and volunteer mother cooks.

The visit gave the partners an opportunity to experience a regular day at the Activity Center through classroom observation and participation, as well as helping prepare and serve meals during the school feeding program.

The visit gave them a chance to experience what a regular day looks like at the Activity Center and to better understand the Sama-Bajau community.

Thank you, Thrive and Woolworths, for taking the time to visit and engage with the Sama Bajau learners!

09/08/2026

On this International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, we recognize the enduring knowledge, cultures, and leadership of Indigenous Peoples.

Upholding the rights of Indigenous Peoples includes protecting their right to education that respects and reflects their cultures, languages, and knowledge systems. Across the communities we work with, education is grounded in culture, language, and community.

Cartwheel’s Education and Child Development Program and Young Indigenous Peoples (YIP) Leaders Program are rooted in culturally relevant education that values Indigenous knowledge, identity, and lived experiences while supporting Indigenous children and youth in their educational journey.

We stand in solidarity with Indigenous Peoples around the world in upholding their rights and safeguarding their thriving cultural heritage!

Learn more about our programs and advocacy at www.cartwheelfoundation.org.



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First featured photo was taken during the 4Cs Workshop with the Talaandig community in Sitio Kaulayanan, Bukidnon

07/08/2026

We’re happy to share that Cartwheel Foundation Inc accreditation has been renewed by the Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC) for another five years!

This is a meaningful milestone for our organization, and one we share with the communities we work with, our partners, donors, volunteers, and friends who have supported our mission through the years.

Our sincere thanks to PCNC for this recognition and for the important work they do in strengthening transparency and accountability among nonprofit organizations.

Most of all, we’re deeply grateful to everyone who has been part of our journey. Thank you for your trust, support, and partnership!

𝗔𝗗𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗢𝗥𝗬

The PCNC Board of Trustees, in its regular meeting on August 5, 2026, approved the accreditation of eighteen (18) NGOs/Foundations:

1. BROTHER ANDELINO MANUEL CASTILLO FSC RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FOUNDATION (BAMCREF), INC.
2. CARTWHEEL FOUNDATION, INC.
3. CURE PHILIPPINES, INC.
4. DON BOSCO TECHNICAL INSTITUTE TARLAC, INC.
5. EL OBSERVATORIO DE MANILA, INC.
6. FILIPINO WAR VETERANS FOUNDATION (FILVETS), INC.
7. FOUNDATION FOR A SUSTAINABLE SOCIETY, INC.
8. JUANITO I. KING FOUNDATION, INC.
9. KAPAMPANGAN DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, INC.
10. LEAGUE OF CORPORATE FOUNDATIONS, INC.
11. MARIE EUGENIE INSTITUTE, INC.
12. PAREF SOUTHRIDGE NIGHT SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, INC.
13. PHILIPPINE SUGAR RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOUNDATION, INC.
14. SCTAN FOUNDATION, INC.
15. ST. LUKE’S MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION, INC.
16. THE ZUELLIG FAMILY FOUNDATION, INC.
17. VIVANT FOUNDATION, INC.
18. WORLD VISION DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, INC.

Thank you for your trust and confidence in your Council. It is our honor to be your partner in amplifying your voice.
Congratulations!

05/08/2026

Last July 21, 2026, the Cartwheel team met with some officials of Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) of Lirongan in Talakag, Bukidnon for a courtesy meeting and program update on the Education and Child Development Program in Sitio Kaulayanan.

The team shared recent developments in the program, including updates on the project-based team structure, current implementation, and plans for the next school year.

We thank the officials of BLGU Lirongan for their time, support, and continued partnership in strengthening community-based education for Talaandig children.

31/07/2026

Last June 17, 2026, the learners of the Sama-Bajau Activity Center in Parañaque City celebrated Nutrition Month through an outreach activity organized by the PUP Junior Marketing Executives - JME with the theme Baybayin: Honoring Sea Roots, Strengthening Communities.

As one of PUP-JME official beneficiary communities, the Activity Center became a space for meaningful engagement, shared learning, and cultural appreciation.

The student volunteers thoughtfully designed activities that celebrated the Sama Bajau learners’ identity through a storytelling session and a boat paper-folding activity. The learners were encouraged to appreciate and take pride in their rich cultural heritage and deep connection to the sea.

To add, in celebration of Nutrition Month, the children also participated in a fun coloring activity paired with an interactive discussion on the importance of fruits and vegetables for a healthier mind and body. The outreach concluded with the distribution of grocery packs and clothing to the learners, extending support beyond the day’s activities.

Cartwheel extends its sincerest gratitude to PUP-JME for choosing to support the Sama Bajau learners and for creating a day filled with learning, joy, and an opportunity for meaningful connection.

22/07/2026

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭?

For the Calamian Tagbanwa, Pagpakdul Ta Sadlaw is an invitation to remember through song, celebrate community, and carry forward stories of hope, healing, and home.

Last May 30, these stories came to life through music, conversations, and performances shared by the Calamian Tagbanwa culture bearers and Cultures in Harmony. More than a look back at the concert, this video captures the voices and reflections behind Pagpakdul Ta Sadlaw and the community it continues to support.

Watch the highlights and hear from the people who made this meaningful collaboration possible.

Our heartfelt gratitude to Ateneo Human Rights Center, Cultures in Harmony, MAGIS Creative Spaces, Manila Symphony Orchestra, Sun Life Philippines Foundation, and The Arts and Health Institute for sharing in the vision of Pagpakdul Ta Sadlaw and making this gathering possible.

May the light shared through the concert continue to kindle a deeper respect for the cultures, histories, and communities that have shaped our shared home.



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This highlights video was made possible through the creativity and generosity of CinePat Videography.

17/07/2026

A new school year begins with new opportunities for Sama-Bajau children and their families!

Last June 16, the Sama-Bajau Activity Center in Parañaque City opened for School Year 2026–2027 and welcomed its first learners of the year.

Since then, more Sama-Bajau children have joined the program, and the classroom now welcomes 21 young learners. We are excited to spend another year with our learners as they explore, play, and grow alongside one another!

Our heartfelt thanks goes to the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), the Barangay Local Government Unit of San Dionisio, and our community partners for their continued support as we welcome another school year together.

14/07/2026

Meet the Cartwheel Foundation Board of Trustees for 2026–2027!

Thank you for your continued service and commitment to helping shape our work with Indigenous communities!

10/07/2026

Our 2025 Annual Report is now available to view online! Discover the stories, milestones, and collective impact that shaped the past year!

Visit this link to read the full report:
https://cartwheelfoundation.org/2025-annual-report-creating-safe-spaces-for-indigenous-learners-in-full-color/