Filipino-american kids embrace Pinoy culture
WASHINGTON, D.C.—THE Philippine Embassy in the United States capital city and the United Federation of Fil-am Educators (UNIFFIED) Maryland Chapter staged the culmination program of “Silid-aralan sa Embahada 2021.”
More than 60 Filipino-american kids and youth successfully completed the modules of this year’s program at the Philippine Chancery Annex Building on August 14. It was composed of topics on Philippine history and geography, national symbols, values education, arts and crafts, folk songs and folk dances, original Pilipino music or OPM, Filipino traditional games, cuisine, national language, folktales and plays, as well as national costumes.
President Malou Cadacio of UNIFFIED-MARYLAND delivered the program’s welcome message, followed by a slideshow with lessons and activities facilitated by volunteer teachers and partner organizations for the whole week. Youth class participants Milo Lopez and Roxy Hodzic,asw ella sUN IF F IE D MARYLAND’ S Luz Sumingwa hosted the program.
“We hope...all…these experiences, lessons, knowledge and traditions will not just be confined in the oneweek program, and that you will carry them…as you grow older. There’s no age limit to learning,” said Philippine Embassy Chargé d’affaires a.i. Jaime Ramon Ascalon Jr. in his message for the Fil-am youth in attendance. “[E]xplore and study on your own, practice what you have learned whenever you can… Always be proud of your unique Filipino heritage and identity.”
Dance performances byun if fi ed teachers, a storytelling segment by Ascalon, poetry reading, balagtasan, cooking demonstrations, a drama play, as well as folk singing and dancing by the kids and youth participants were featured as intermission numbers.
Participants Athena Lannu of the Kids Class expressed her appreciation, on behalf of the students, for the program which helped her connect and understand her Filipino heritage. Kristine Remudaro, who spoke for the parents, also expressed her hopes that the program will reach more Filipinos and Fil-ams in the future.
Silid-aralan sa Embahada is an annual partnership between the Philippine Embassy and UNIFFIEDMARYLAND in preserving Filipino culture and tradition, in celebration of the country’s “Buwan ng Wika,” or Language Month. This year’s program was made possible with the support of the Filipino American Cancer Care, The Filipino Class of Baltimore, Pinakatay Arnis Sigidas, Migrant Heritage Commission, and Jollibee USA.
The event was conducted in a hybrid format via Zoom and limited in-person attendance, with consideration of health protocols and regulations.