In commemoration of this year’s 55th ASEAN Founding Anniversary, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Regional Office VII has effectively launched a webinar on the Implementation of Physical Activities Towards Health and Fitness (PATHFIT) Courses with ASEAN Framework gracing the theme of “ASEAN A.C.T. – Addressing Challenges Together” on October 04, 2022, via Zoom Conference and Facebook Live Streaming.
The webinar intends to be a walkthrough of the PATHFIT Course content, teaching-learning activities, and assessments for professors and instructors as they prepare to pilot the new Physical Education course for the tertiary level.
The first topic started with a very light walkthrough of CHED Memorandum Order No. 39, series of 2021 “Policies, Standards and Guidelines on the Implementation of Tertiary Physical Education: Physical Activity Towards Health and Fitness (PATHFIT) Courses presented by Melissa L. Castillote, Education Supervisor II of CHED RO VII.
A run-through about the need for a new CMO for tertiary Physical Education to enhance the primary education curriculum, the different key stages of Physical Education PATHFIT, and an overview of the program standards. A comprehensive discussion about setting the mode of the program.
One of the resource speakers is Mr. Elven B. Lorca, Chairman Human Kinetics Department of Cebu Technological University-Main Campus. In collaboration with Dr. Mary Jane Tabasa and Dr. Rafael Matutinao, they effectively introduced PATHFIT 1: Movement Competency Training. Each of them was given an assigned topic to discuss the course description further, course learning, and outcomes wherein active and healthy living, advocacy, and action were emphasised.
According to Mr. Lorca, “the main goal of the PATHFIT 1 is to let our students move more, move better, and move with a purpose,” he said. A CTU pride itself on the roadmap to quality education in pursuance of a premier University.
The third topic run-through the PATHFIT 2: Exercise-based Fitness Activities with its course description, course learning outcomes, intended learning outcomes, list of topics, and sample assessment activities delivered by Ms. Catherine F. Vestil, Physical Education Department Chair at Cebu Doctors University.
It was followed by the PATHFIT 3 and 4: Menu of Dance and Martial Arts expounded by Dr. Ma. Rosita A. Hernani, Chair of the Kinesthetics Department of Cebu Normal University, CAS. Showing the example use of a PATHFIT module entitled Redefining Personal Health and Witness utilized by Cebu Normal University.
The last topic was a continuation of PATHFIT 3 and 4: Menu of Sports, Outdoor and Adventure Activities set forth by Dr. Carlo G. Bernaldez, University Sports and Athletics Director at Negros Oriental State University-Main.
The open forum occurred after discussing each topic, where professors and instructors from different campuses raised questions regarding different classroom states to understand the topic better. The resource speakers addressed it.
The event was virtually participated by professors, instructors, and university students from different campuses, not just for the sake of attending but the eagerness to know more and to be aware of the new Physical Education course for the tertiary level.
The webinar is one of the CHED RO VII series of activities to increase ASEAN awareness in the Philippine Higher Education Sector.
Words by Novy Anne Mahinay/ BS DevCom 4-A Intern