Updates: Faculty Activities

Ms. Maria Theresa M. Uy, an instructor of the Department of Family Life and Child Development (DFLCD) at the College of Home Economics, University of the Philippines- Diliman, presented a research paper at the Pacific Early Childhood Education Research Association (PECERA) 2025 Conference held in Shanghai, China from July 10 to 12, 2025. The conference, themed “Early Childhood Education in a New Era: Globalizing and Localizing Curriculum and Pedagogy,” gathered international scholars and educators to discuss innovations in early childhood education.

The paper, titled “Five Years After: Review of the Parenting Roles of Fathers Emerging from the Infant Development Program during COVID-19,” was co-authored with Asst. Prof. Josephine F. Jamero, also a faculty member of the DFLCD. It examined the evolving role of fathers in early learning experiences during the pandemic, focusing on the Infant Development Program (IDP) implemented by the DFLCD in their laboratory school, the UP Child Development Center. The paper was inspired during preparations for the April 2025 launch of a book chapter featured in UNESCO’s Family and Intergenerational Literacy and Learning: International Perspectives, which highlighted family involvement in literacy development during infancy.

The findings revealed that the constraints of lockdowns led to a reimagining of curriculum delivery, placing partnership with families at the heart of the program. With traditional classroom settings unavailable, the IDP’s Responsive Learning Plan (RLP) was designed to support parents as the primary facilitators of their children’s learning. This shift not only addressed the developmental needs of infants but also empowered families to take an active role in the children’s care and development. Notably, fathers emerged as engaged participants, often taking the lead in preparing learning materials and supporting their children’s developmental milestones. In several cases, paternal involvement surpassed expectations, with fathers becoming central figures in the learning process.This provides the context wherein the experiences of the fathers and mothers will be further examined, to raise the possibilities of enriching parenting programs in the future.

The presentation was aligned with PECERA’s parallel session theme on Parenting and Parents Education, offering a localized perspective on how early childhood programs adapted to global challenges. She encouraged aspiring researchers and presenters to embrace opportunities for international engagement, saying, “Play with your ideas and take the leap. You will find the courage and support you need after.” The DFLCD continues to advocate research that highlights Filipino family dynamics and contributes to global conversations on early childhood care and development.

(written by LCL)

Two faculty members and one alumna of the Department of Family Life and Child Development (DFLCD) proudly represented the department at the 22nd Asian Regional Association for Home Economics (ARAHE) Biennial Conference, held under the theme “Empowering Future Generations: Home Economics in the Age of Advanced Technology.” last August 7-10, 2025 at The Prince Hotel, Manila.

The conference featured two paper presentations from the DFLCD, both of which explored evolving family roles and caregiving practices in the Filipino context.

Ms. Ciara Del Rosario, a BSFLCD graduate, and Asst. Prof. Lester John Lim, a faculty member of the DFLCD, presented their research titled “Roles of Filipino Stay-at-Home Fathers in Female Breadwinner Households.” Their study challenges conventional narratives of Filipino fatherhood by shedding light on a quiet but growing movement: men who have embraced caregiving roles in households where women are the primary earners. “We spoke about a quiet but noticeable movement: fathers who have stepped away from the traditional role of sole breadwinner to take on the work of nurturing and caregiving,” Asst. Prof. Lim shared. The presentation emphasized how these fathers are reshaping gender norms and contributing to more equitable family dynamics.

Meanwhile, Ms. Erika Ramiro, instructor at the DFLCD and graduate student of the Master of Family Life and Child Development (MFLCD) program, shared a case study titled “Wala Kayo sa Lola Ko: Providing Childcare to a Grandchild with Special Needs.” Her presentation highlighted the emotional labor, cultural wisdom, and adaptive caregiving strategies of a grandmother who became the primary caregiver for her grandchild with developmental challenges. The case study underscored the vital role that an older caregiver plays in sustaining an inclusive and caring family environment. It also articulated the strong need for intervention practices that adopt a whole-family approach, empowering not only the child with special needs and their parents but also other household members, such as grandparents, who shoulder significant caregiving responsibilities.

Together, these presentations reflect the DFLCD’s enduring commitment to research that honors the lived realities of Filipino families and uplifts the voices of caregivers across generations.

(written by LCL)