22 September 2016 — Officials from the Filipino School in San Diego, California welcomed Philippine Consul General to Los Angeles Adelio Angelito S. Cruz during his visit on September 09. In attendance were Mr. Tony Olaes, founder, Dr. Estela Matriano, Executive Director, Ms. Carole Caparros, Special Projects Coordinator and Mr. Felix Tuyay, Professor of the Filipino School. 

The Filipino School was created to “bridge Filipinos in the Philippines with those in the diaspora through education.” What makes The Filipino School unique is that it teaches Filipino culture and history in addition to the Filipino language.  It aims to build on its students’ base level of understanding and self-awareness of being Filipino. The school holds classes every Saturday and plans to add after-school programs in the fall. It is also targeting an online education system by 2017.

Mr. Olaes also heads a “Filgrimage” which is a semi-annual peer group trip to the Philippines for Filipino-Americans ages 18 and up. The goal of the trip is to educate, awaken and empower the Filipino diaspora in the United States.

Consul General Cruz relayed his support for the programs and activities of The Filipino School, including the “Filgrimage” project which helps reconnect second- and third-generation Filipino-Americans to their heritage, culture and roots. END