13 September 2016 — The Philippine Consulate General in Shanghai concluded its month-long celebration of the Buwan ng Wika with a film showing of Marilou Diaz-Abaya’s Jose Rizal at the International Philippine School in Shanghai (IPSS). Ms. Grace Celia Guieb, the school’s directress and owner, welcomed the Consulate’s Cultural section personnel. Ms Guieb along with some of the faculty of IPSS, partook of a wonderful and hearty Filipino lunch prior to the screening.

The activity coincided with the school’s opening week. Students from all levels, including their teachers, participated in the event. Before the film screening, Vice Consul Andre Peter C. Estanislao, Head of Cultural Affairs of the Consulate, on behalf of Consul General Wilfredo R. Cuyugan, discussed with the students the importance of learning and using the Filipino language even if they have already grown up in other countries. Vice Consul Estanislao also reminded everyone of this year’s Buwan ng Wika celebration theme, Filipino: Wika ng Karunungan (Filipino: Language of Wisdom) and encouraged everyone to continuously use Filipino not only as a medium of communication among other Filipinos but also as an effective tool to debate ideas and gain further insights into one’s heritage and culture. END