01 September 2016 – Philippine Ambassador to Australia Minda Calaguian-Cruz and members of the Philippine Embassy in Canberra implemented the very first activity of the Embassy’s “Adopt-A-School” project in Curtin South Preschool in Canberra on August 17. Thirty-two (32) pre-schoolers participated in the two 1-hour activities.

The Embassy team taught select Filipino greetings and words and sang Filipino songs such as “Kamusta Kamusta” (“How are you?”) with the children. The children actively took turns in saying Filipino phrases and impressed the Embassy with their ability to quickly learn the Filipino words. The Embassy team also displayed photos of famous sites, and replicas of famous icons, fruits and animals unique to the Philippines to familiarize the children with the Philippine cultural heritage. Finally, the Embassy shared that the Philippines and Australia are currently celebrating 70 years of diplomatic relations and that both countries enjoy a warm and historic friendship.

The Adopt-A-School project is an initiative of the Philippine Embassy in Canberra to promote awareness of the Philippines as well as the strong and steadfast friendship between the Philippines and Australia among younger generations in Australia. The Philippine Embassy will continue to implement the project in other schools in Canberra, Australia and other States & Territory for the rest of the year.

The Philippine Embassy thanks the Curtin South Preschool in Canberra for supporting the project and warmly welcoming the Embassy to their school. 

The launch of the Adopt-A-School Project coincides with the celebration of Buwan ng Wika (Filipino Language Month) in August. END