Science and Technology

M e d i a S e r v i c e
January 12, 2009

Editorial and Public Affairs Unit Communication Resources and Publications Division Science and Technology Information Institute Department of Science and Technology DOST Compound, Gen. Santos Avenue Bicutan, Taguig City, Metro Manila

Contact person: Mark Ivan C. Roblas, SEI information officer, Cell. No.: 0917-804-4213, Tel. No.: 837-1925, 8372071 loc 2384

Mathematics, ethnic to Pinoys

Still fear mathematics? Fear not, as mathematics is well part of the Filipino culture, an international paper said. In a paper presented before the Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) Forum on Best Practices on Human Resource Capacity Building in Science and Mathematics Teacher Education held recently and spearheaded by the Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute, Dr. Catherine Vistro-Yu of Ateneo de Manila University and former President of the Philippine Council of Mathematics Educators (MATHTED) said there are lots of mathematics that can be found in the various cultural groups in the country that needs to be explored and integrated in the teaching of mathematics. Given the numerous ethnic or tribal groups in the Philippines and the various labor, professional, and student age groups, our country is no doubt a fertile ground for Ethnomathematics ideas and research, she said. Yu said there is enough knowledge on mathematics in different aspects of Philippine society to equip students in understanding concepts in mathematics. Clearly, if one were to document the mathematical activities of each of these groups, one would have a thick book of resource for Filipino students, she said. Yu cited a study on the Sungka in 1995, a sedentary game for two players that entails filling up ones own large well with cowrie shells distributed among 7 smaller wells on each side of the board, which showed that it introduces many counting techniques to win the game. The sungka board can be used to facilitate numerical computations that resemble the paper-andpencil way of adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing numbers vertically, she said. Yu also cited a University of the Philippines-Baguio study of the algebra of weaving patterns, gong music and kinship system of the Kankana-ey of the Mountain Province in the Philippines. She said that the woven fabric designs made by the Kankana-ey have 28 patterns which are formed by the repetition of some design or motif either vertically or horizontally.

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The 28 patterns were classified according to the seven frieze group structures. The UP team realized that the Kankana-ey strip patters use four of the seven frieze group structures, she said. Yu cited another study in 1995 that showed vending practices of children in Zamboanga City which does not conform to the techniques taught in schools, but are correct, efficient and effective. She added that jeepney drivers in the Philippines possess computational, spatial and visual skills that enable them to pick up passengers, keep track who has paid already and weave through traffic. Much of the successful collection of the fare is due to trust between and among the passengers and the Jeepney driver. However, without a doubt, a certain amount of mathematical skills must be involved, she said. Yu also pointed out the economics of sari-sari stores that enable store owners to extend credit to customers which could not be done in large supermarkets. She said a deeper understanding of the Filipino culture would help identify and develop other mathematics and mathematical activities that could be more relevant, connected and useful to the Filipino people. The role of Ethnomathematics in capacity building is important because Ethnomathematics empowers and can bring about genuine integration and relevance, she said. SEI Director Dr. Ester B. Ogena said the agency recognizes the need to integrate the Filipino culture into the teaching of science and mathematics in the country. In the Philippines, culture and science are taken together with the Filipinnovation initiative set out by the DOST. It is in our view that developments in science and technology need to touch base with the grassroots level and push for their improvement, she said. Ogena said Filipinnovation brings forward to the international scene a distinct brand for the Philippines as an Asian innovation hub, different yet as competitive as its Asian neighbors and striving to be at part with leading innovation regions such as North America and Europe. What we look forward with Filipinnovation is a transformation of the Filipino nation into a country having a competitive and multidisciplinary work force competent in producing valueadded knowledge-based produces and services; competitive local firms driven by constant innovations brought about by or borne out of increased research and development; and a public policy environment that ensures continuous innovation not only through executive, legislative and judiciary initiatives but through local government programs as well, she said. (30)

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