The Pamulinawen STEM Fest: Honoring Cultures and Filipino and Thai Women’s Ingenuity drew pre-service teachers, science educators, and students from the Philippines and Thailand to UNP-CTE’s Function Hall on March 25, 2026. Inspired by the Ilocano folk song Pamulinawen, the event featured women’s roles in culture and science.
Drawing inspiration from Pamulinawen, a beloved Ilocano folk song, the event underscored the vital role of women in shaping communities through the fusion of culture and science. One of the festival’s highlights was the STEM Lecture and Demonstration segment, where participants showcased practical, community-driven innovations designed to address real-world challenges.
Engineer Rachelle Lacuesta, an MST student and faculty member of Mariano Marcos State University, together with Ms. Kathleen Rafanan, an MST student and faculty member of the UNP College of Arts and Sciences, delivered a lecture on the Context-based STEM Education Model and soap production. This was followed by Nattawadee Leekhammong, a science student from Chiang Rai Rajabhat University, who presented her study on air purifier production using pineapple leaves.
Meanwhile, BSED Science students showcased their projects, including paper production by Daniela Rapisura, wine making by Sherie Ann Pangramuyen, and fermented plant juice preparation by Irish Aquino, highlighting the application of science to sustainable and community-based practices.
In addition to the scientific exhibits, the event celebrated cultural identity through performances such as the Pamulinawen community dance and other cultural presentations. A guided exhibit tour allowed attendees to engage more deeply with the showcased projects. The festival concluded with a salo-salo, where Filipino and Thai participants shared food and stories, promoting camaraderie and cross-cultural appreciation.
Through the integration of science, culture, and collaboration, the Pamulinawen STEM Fest at UNP-CTE served as a platform for honoring tradition while celebrating the ingenuity and contributions of women in STEM across borders.
Article by Melody Marquesz.
