Vibal premieres weekly online show on Philippine education

Vibal Group, Inc. affirms its commitment to “reigniting the passion for education” through TalkEd: Beyond the Bell, a new weekly online talk show that showcases timely, reflective, and experience-driven conversations centered on the ever-evolving landscape of Philippine education, social development, cultural discourse, and the broader impact of communication and learning.

Filmed at Vibal’s Quezon City headquarters, each episode—streamed on Facebook and YouTube—focuses on timely issues in education, culture, and social development. The title reflects the show’s mission: to spark meaningful dialogue that continues “after class ends,” inspiring lifelong learning, reflection, and transformation. It captures the idea that some of the most meaningful learning, reflection, and transformation happen outside formal instruction hours. This includes mentorship, storytelling, advocacy, and personal reflection, which are areas that are often left out of traditional lesson plans but are crucial to personal and professional growth.

Hosted by Dr. Joram Kim B. Corcuera and produced in partnership with Vibal, the program features conversations with educators, school leaders, researchers, writers, and professionals from allied sectors such as publishing, media, and the arts. Dr. Corcuera is a licensed teacher, academic researcher, and continuing professional development (CPD) speaker from the University of Santo Tomas (UST), bringing his extensive experience in communication, education, and research to the program. His background in teaching, publication advising, and academic work ensures insightful exchanges with guests and audiences alike.

In addition, the tagline “Where conversations continue after class ends” reinforces the show’s aim to provide a platform for insights, questions, and perspectives that extend beyond the physical classroom and fixed teaching schedules. This tagline conveys that TalkEd is not only a program for educators but a space for anyone invested in lifelong learning, equity, and systemic improvement. Whether the viewer is a teacher, student, policymaker, or advocate, they are invited to join and engage with ideas that challenge, support, and inspire.

The inaugural episode, “Transitioning from teaching to policy leadership in curriculum, teacher development, and literacy” was uploaded on September 5, featuring Ms. Ayette Ferriols, Supervising Education Program Specialist at the Department of Education, as the show’s first guest. Ferriols discussed the evolution of the national curriculum, systemic issues such as the reading crisis, and the importance of empowering teachers with flexibility and autonomy. Her message resonated with the celebration of National Teachers Month: teachers remain the lifeblood of education, fueling resilience, dedication, and hope for the nation’s learners.

The discussion shed light on the rigorous and inclusive process of national curriculum development. It’s not merely a “top-down” approach, but also “bottom-up,” involving a pool of experts and extensive public review. This ensures the curriculum is truly relevant to the needs on the ground—engaging teachers, learners, and external stakeholders, including industry members, to prepare students for higher education, employment, entrepreneurship, or middle-level skills development. The curriculum aims to set “idealistic” standards, serving as a reminder of the goals learners should strive to achieve.

A significant portion of the episode also focused on the pressing issue of reading literacy in the Philippines. The specialist highlighted alarming statistics from international and local assessments, revealing that a large percentage of students struggle with reading comprehension. She emphasized that this is not solely a curriculum problem, but a “systemic issue” rooted in broader challenges like poverty, which can affect a child’s physiological brain development and access to quality nutrition.

As the episode aired during National Teachers Month, Ferriols offered a powerful message of appreciation and advice. She urged teachers to “always keep that fire burning,” acknowledging their resilience but emphasizing the need for a supportive system. Despite the many challenges, she believes that the dedication and love teachers have for their students are what truly make a difference, inspiring children and making their lives better. The episode underscored that while the curriculum is the heart of the education system, teachers are its lifeblood, breathing life into the documents and shaping the future of the nation.

With TalkEd: Beyond the Bell, Vibal continues to enrich Philippine education by providing a platform for voices that challenge, support, and inspire educators and learners alike.