Eskuwelahang Munti ng Guam Holds 19th Commencement Program

Consul General Marciano R. de Borja (fifth from right) with the Eskwelahang Munti ng Guam (EMG) volunteer teachers (from right): Dr. Clarisa Quan, FCC Treasurer Ms. Fernabel De La Peña, Ms. Concepcion Viray, Consul Mark Francis C. Hamoy, Consul General Marciano R. de Borja, Mrs. Mila Moguel, and the graduates: Alexandra Leon Guerrero, Paul Valdez, Rafael de Guzman, Adel Joshua Lavarez, Amir Sebastian Lavarez and Ace Jonathan Lavarez. (Agana PCG photo)

AGANA 15 May 2019 — The Philippine Consulate General in Guam, in partnership with the Filipino Cultural Center (FCC), held the 19th commencement program of the Eskwelahang Munti ng Guam (EMG) on 05 May 2019 at the Guam Reef Hotel.

Seven students, five of whom are children aged 7-11 years old, graduated from the Philippine language and culture course.

The program opened with the singing of the Philippine National Anthem followed by the children’s performances which showcased their Filipino language skills. The graduates recited “Ilan sa mga Bayaning Kababaihan ng Pilipinas,” Mr. Paul Valdez, grandson of EMG volunteer teacher Gloria Baguinon and an aspiring singer who would like to study theater arts in the Philippines, delighted the audience with his rendition of Original Pinoy Music (OPM) songs and for the finale, the graduates danced the “Cariñosa.”

Consul General to Guam Marciano R. de Borja was the guest-of-honor and keynote speaker of the event.  Mrs. Esperanza de Borja, Consul Mark Francis C. Hamoy and Mrs. Leah Hamoy were also in attendance. 

Consul General de Borja lauded the volunteer teachers’ efforts in helping promote Philippine culture. “It’s high time that we really think about how to cope with this growing program,” the Consul General added. He also spoke about developments in the Philippine economy and the ongoing overseas voting exercises.

Consul General de Borja, FCC Treasurer Fernabel De La Peña and volunteer teachers led by EMG Principal Mila Moguel led the handing out of the certificates of completion to the graduates, and the certificates of appreciation to the Consulate General, Filipino Community of Guam led by its president James Robinson, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Alumni Organization of Guam led by president Marc Pagaduan, National Association of Mapua Alumni-Guam Chapter led by president Zenaida Santos, and to teacher assistants Lisa Mari Manarin, who is a high school senior at John F. Kennedy High School and daughter of the Consulate General’s Collecting Officer Maria Liza Manarin, and Amanda Quan, daughter of EMG volunteer teacher, Dr. Clarisa Quan who is one of the coordinators of the Philippine Studies Lecture Series at the University of Guam.

The classes, which are conducted for 12 Saturdays biannually and held at the Sentro Rizal Agana of the Consulate General, are taught by volunteer teachers EMG Principal Mrs. Moguel, Dr. Clarissa Quan, Ms. Ciony Viray and Ms. Baguion. EMG’s fall session resumes in September 2019. END

Consul General Marciano R. de Borja delivers his remarks during the Eskwelahang Munti ng Guam (EMG) graduation ceremony on 05 May 2019. (Agana PCG photo)

Eskwelahang Munti ng Guam (EMG) students joined by parents and volunteer teachers recite, “Ilan sa mga Bayaning Kababaihan ng Pilipinas,” during the EMG graduation ceremony on 05 May 2019. (Agana PCG photo)

For more information, visit www.aganapcg.dfa.gov.ph, www.philippinesguam.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHinAgana/