Over 200 teachers to join Project 12 Summit 2026 in Cebu

CEBU CITY – Over 200 teachers from 58 pilot schools in Cebu Province, Silang, Cavite and Negros Oriental, including 43 public schools --37 elementary schools and 6 national high schools in Dumanjug, Cebu are expected to participate in the “Project 12-Summit 2026” on April 10-11, 2026 at the USJ-R Quadricentennial Bldg., Colon St., Cebu City organized by the US-based The Human Project Foundation, with the theme, “Developing A Resilient Generation.”

Joshua and Carol Pilapil, the tandem couple at the helm of The Human Project Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to developing emotionally resilient and well-rounded individuals, told Manila Standard that one of the key advocacies of the Foundation is Project 12.

“This is a groundbreaking initiative that aims to integrate EQ development as a core subject from Kinder to Grade 12 in both public and private schools, anchored on Daniel Goleman's five components of Emotional Intelligence (EQ),” bared Joshua Pilapil, a US-based Clinical Psychologist, at a media conference with the Cebu Online News Press Corps (CONPC).

Pilapil said that at the heart of Project 12 is a firm belief that education must focus not only on the mind (IQ) but also on the heart (EQ).  “If we are to raise whole persons-individuals who are not only intellectually capable but emotionally intelligent and socially responsible, we already equip every learner with self-awareness and self-regulation techniques, motivation, empathy, and strong social skills from an early age,” he added.

Carol Pilapil shared that Project 12 was officially launched in School Year 2024-2025. To date, the Foundation had implemented the Project across 58 pilot schools in Cebu Province, Silang, Cavite and Negros Oriental, including 43 public schools, with 37 elementary schools and six national high schools in Dumanjug, Cebu. 

“We have trained over 1,600 teachers serving over 36,000 students from these pilot schools, with more trainings already scheduled for other LGUs in Cebu Province, Negros Island, Davao City and Malaybalay, Bukidnon in Mindanao,” Carol said.

The rollout has been warmly received, and they are greatly encouraged by the enthusiastic response of both educators and communities. Their feedback affirms that emotional intelligence is not only needed—it is urgently essential, she noted.

Project 12 Summit 2026

Joshua and Carol saw the positive outcomes of their trainings and they have seen in students reveal a deeper truth: emotional intelligence or EQ is a lifelong skill - essential not only in the classroom, but in every environment, including the workplace.

Project 12 Summit 2026 is a gathering of these trained individuals and leaders to share their learnings and best practices as they navigate in their fields, be it in the academe, local governance, medical and healthcare systems and even in daily life interactions.

“In response to this growing need, we have opened the training component of Project 12 to companies seeking to invest in the EQ development of their employees. This expansion enables us to help build resilient, people-centered organizations that value empathy, self-awareness, and meaningful human connection,” Joshua and Carol shared.

It is noteworthy to share, Carol bared that they have also trained doctors and other professionals, equipping them to cope more effectively with the high-pressure demands of their fields, and by embedding emotional intelligence into both learning and leadership.

Carol added that The Human Project Foundation wants to enhance emotional intelligence (EI) through education and aims to integrate EI into the education system from kindergarten to 12th grade. This initiative is anchored on a research by Daniel Goleman and UNESCO's 2004 vision highlighting EI's significance.

Goleman’s research proved that 80% of success predictors are EI or EQ, not IQ. A meta-analysis of 500 studies in 24 countries showed improved societal outcomes. The Castle framework, adapted for education, includes self-awareness, self-regulation, responsible decision-making, relationship skills, and social awareness.

The goal is to reduce issues like pregnancy, suicide, and behavioral problems by 2030, through the development and implementation of modules on emotional intelligence and healthy coping skills for students from kindergarten to 12th grade, to help them become more self-aware, regulate their emotions, and make better choices in life,” Joshua and Carol shared.

“Through Project 12 Summit 2026, The Human Project Foundation will be able to measure and analyze the impact of the emotional intelligence program on academic performance and behavioral issues of the participating students, and use the data to advocate for the adoption of the program in more schools across the Philippines,” Carol added.