Enhancing Learners’ Active Participation in Filipino through “Pick and Pop the Balloon” Method

Abstract

The Filipino subject serves as a vital component in developing students’ cultural identity, fostering an understanding of their linguistic heritage, and promoting critical thinking through engagement with both the communication and its culture. This classroom-based action research study employed the "Pick and Pop the Balloon" method as an intervention to enhance active participation and oral proficiency among thirty Grade 8 students from a private institution in Ozamiz City during the academic year 2024–2025. Participants were selected using purposive sampling. Data collection utilized a five-point Likert scale questionnaire and statistical analysis was performed using Minitab, focusing on the computation of the mean, standard deviation, frequency, percentage, and the t-test for significant difference. The results indicated a statistically significant difference in student engagement following the implementation of the intervention. Analysis of the checklist data revealed highly significant improvements across all three measured engagement indicators: reaction to the balloon stimulus, effect on participatory behavior, and response to point-based rewards. These findings confirm that the "Pick and Pop the Balloon" strategy had a substantial positive impact on student involvement. The implementation of the Pick and Pop the Balloon method significantly improved student engagement, motivation, and participation, demonstrating its effectiveness as a gamified, reward-based instructional tool compared to traditional methods. To create genuinely effective support, we urge researchers to quantitatively investigate the diverse nature of student learning issues. This will enable the development of holistic strategies and usable solutions for their educational challenges.