05 December 2016 — SAMAHAN, a Filipino-American Student Association in the College of Mount Saint Vincent, had an interesting encounter with Philippine history during the screening of the award-winning 2014 film “Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo” (Bonifacio: The First President) at their campus to celebrate the Philippine hero’s 153rd Birth Anniversary.
The film screening, organized by the Philippine Consulate General in New York was co-sponsored by SAMAHAN with the support of the College of Mt. Saint Vincent administration.
Dr. Sarah Stevenson, Provost and Dean of Faculty, delivered Welcome Remarks and stated that the College proudly continues to host events honoring Filipino culture and history. She stated that approximately 8% of the graduates of the college are Filipino-American, which is among the highest percentage of Filipino-Americans in US colleges.
In her Opening Remarks, Consul General Ma. Theresa Dizon-De Vega, thanked all the co-sponsors and acknowledged the College’s invaluable support for the Consulate General’s programs. She recounted Andres Bonifacio’s unique, interesting, and oftentimes misunderstood role in Philippine history.
Mr. Noel Pangilinan, Adjunct Professor of the College of Mount Saint Vincent and Mr. Gil Quito, a film historian, screenwriter, and producer for TV, film and stage, served as resource persons for the Talkback session following the screening.
Prof. Pangilinan urged the students to not only rely on secondary or tertiary sources on Philippine history but to access primary and reputable historical sources and to keep building on their knowledge of Philippine history
Mr. Quito encouraged the students to view other Philippine historical films and announced that Cinetropa, a Philippine film streaming start-up, will provide the College of Mt. Saint Vincent community with a limited time offer to view Filipino films for free including the critical and box-office hit “Heneral Luna.”
Prior to the program, Consul General Dizon-de Vega and Consul Felipe Cariño paid a courtesy call on Dr. Charles Flynne, President of the College of Mount Saint Vincent. The Consul General thanked President Flynne and apprised him on the forthcoming activities of the Consulate which may be relevant to the college’s curriculum, particularly in its Philippine Studies courses.
Both Consul General De Vega and President Flynne reaffirmed their commitment to undertake future collaborative projects further underscoring the strong ties between the College of Mt. Saint Vincent and the Consulate. END