At the southern edge of the Philippines, in the mountainous and island-dotted Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), children’s paths to education are as challenging as they are courageous. Here, where peace and security concerns, alongside poverty, often disrupt daily life, fewer than two-thirds of the population are functionally literate, according to the 2024 Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS).

But inside a modest classroom in Upi, Maguindanao Del Norte, Grade 2 teacher Hanna Dafilmoto has found an unexpected ally in the form of a colourful, animated series called Isla Maganda.

“The students immediately connected with the characters,” she says. “They weren’t just watching, they were learning about inclusion, empathy, and even math.”

A Region in Need of New Solutions

Home to more than 5 million people across a patchwork of cultures and languages, BARMM remains one of Southeast Asia’s most educationally vulnerable regions. In many areas, children travel for hours, cross rivers, or climb steep trails just to reach a classroom. Some communities continue to face deep and complex challenges: violent clan disputes known as rido have disrupted peace and stability in some areas, while gaps in infrastructure create barriers to delivering consistent, quality education.

According to FLEMMS 2024, while 81 percent of residents can read and write, only 64 percent are functionally literate – meaning they struggle to comprehend and apply information in practical, everyday contexts.

A New Learning Tool: Cultural and Educational Synergy

To address these challenges, the Australian and Philippine Governments, through the Education Pathways to Peace in Mindanao programme, launched Isla Maganda, a 20-episode animated and audio series for children in kindergarten to Grade 3. Produced by Big Bad Boo Studios and co-developed with the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE), the show integrates numeracy, literacy, and socio-emotional learning into stories rooted in Bangsamoro life.

"The episode I played featured a character with a disability who was initially excluded from the games her friends were playing. Even without discussing the video, students quickly grasped lessons about diversity and inclusion,” says Dafilmoto.

In one maths-integrated episode, a young boy named Carlos struggles to remember the colour pattern on a boat’s sail. As classmates sing to help him remember, real-world problem-solving and memory techniques unfold onscreen and in classrooms: "Pula, asul, dilaw, dilaw, asul, pula!" (Red, blue, yellow, yellow, blue, red!)”

Scaling Impact Across BARMM

Since its launch in November 2025, Isla Maganda has reached over 90,000 students, with 99,527 companion workbooks distributed across 546 public elementary schools, learning centers, Indigenous Peoples Education (IPED) implementing schools, Special Education (SPED) Centers, and madaris (Islamic schools).Materials have been adapted into regional languages such as Meranaw, Bahasa Sug, and Maguindanawn, reinforcing the show’s commitment to local relevance.

"There are so many skills students can learn from Isla Maganda," Dafilmoto adds. "The episode I used for my maths lesson could also be adapted for English or values education. You just need to be creative."

Community Roots, Cultural Pride

The programme’s success lies not just in its content but in its community engagement. In Lamitan City, Basilan, over 4,000 early-grade learners and families celebrated Isla Maganda with music, t-shirts, and performances. Across the region, classrooms have embraced the series through dance, theatre, and social media tributes.

"The relatable characters make it easier to teach complex emotional concepts like empathy, kindness, and respect," says Grade 1 teacher Jocelyn Bucaneg.

For Grade 3 teacher Elvira Mag-abo, the value is even broader: "These skills are not only vital inside the classroom; they are crucial for life beyond school. By teaching children how to interact respectfully and support each other, we help them become kind and respectful adults."

Vision and Leadership

Basic Education Director General Abdullah P. Salik, Jr. of MBHTE praised the series for its culturally inclusive approach:

"Isla Maganda’s characters are inclusive, representing the different groups in the region, including IP communities, Christian settlers, and Bangsamoro. Our young learners will enjoy watching the animation and gradually instil values related to inclusiveness and unity."

Learning Beyond the School Year

As the academic year pauses for the school break, the series continues to reach new audiences through community sharing and online streaming. Available on YouTube (www.youtube.com/@IslaMaganda), Isla Maganda now invites children across the Philippines to explore its world of friendship, diversity, and peace.

For Dafilmoto, the true power of the series is its classroom resonance. "I am thankful to the Australian Government and MBHTE for their continued support, and for creating a series that teaches literacy, numeracy, and promotes values education – which is the foundation of a child’s learning."

About Pathways

Operating since 2017, Education Pathways to Peace in Mindanao is a AUD80 million program that focuses on early years education as the foundation for life-long learning and development. It is delivered in partnership with the regional Bangsamoro Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) and the national Philippine Department of Education (DepEd) through managing contractor Palladium International Pty Ltd.