21st Paaralan sa Konsulado Conducted in New York
Consul General to New York Claro S. Cristobal and Madame Marilou Cristobal welcome the Paaralan sa Konsulado (PSK students) to the Independence Day Reception Simulation at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center on 06 July 2019. (New York PCG photo)
NEW YORK 07 August 2019 — A total of 40 Filipino-American kids and teens aged 6-17 got to enrol in the 21st Paaralan sa Konsulado (PSK), a summer program of the Philippine Consulate General in New York, in partnership with the Association of the Filipino-American Teachers of America Inc. (AFTA).
The project, which ran for five consecutive Saturdays from 29 June to 28 July 2019 at the Philippine Center, was geared towards the enhancement of cultural awareness and identity of young Filipino-Americans through classes that provided deeper understanding of their Filipino roots and heritage.
The enrollees had the opportunity to connect with their Philippine culture in all of its various forms, and explore and improve their creativity and ingenuity through classes in conversational Filipino, Philippine history and geography, and Filipino heroes, dance, music, arts, clothing, cuisine and indigenous games.
Every year, the courses are curated and new modules are added to the traditional set of classes as a way of making the learning sessions more current and practical.
Consul General to New York Claro S. Cristobal underscored during the opening program the four significant reasons in continuing PSK: PSK is a testament of the Consulate General’s commitment to education particularly in teaching the children who never knew from birth the land of their heritage; it serves as a driving force for young generation to stay connected with Filipino community and its Filipino values; it opens a window for cultural exchange; and it provides an opportunity for the Consulate to get to know and link wih Fil-Am children.
In one of the classes, Consul Arman R. Talbo walked the young students through the Philippine history and introduced Filipino heroes like Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Tandang Sora and Gabriela Silang. He likewise discussed the ways of honoring and displaying the Philippine flag and what its colors and symbols represent.
On the second Saturday, Consul General Cristobal hosted the Experiential Independence Day Luncheon, where students and teachers came in their Filipiniana attire. Plated Filipino dishes were served in a simulated Independence Day reception setting. The children were able to put into practice the lessons on Table Manners and Etiquette as well as formal setting of the table taught by former Philippine Ambassador Cecilia Rebong.
The day was also highlighted by the briefing on Drugs Resistance Education or “Iwas Droga” by the New York Police Department (NYPD) highest ranking Filipino-American officer and now criminal and family lawyer Ed Carrasco, pointing out the immediate and long-term adverse effects of illegal and misused legal drugs. Detective Eugene Canapi, a fellow Filipino-American in the NYPD who came in his uniform, assured the students that policemen can be depended upon for help and assistance. Distributing NYPD caps to all the students, he encouraged the young Filipino-American to explore careers in law enforcement when they grow up.
In the afternoon, PSK students and parents also travelled to the Philippines through a simulation trip to the six Philippine heritage sites presented by Tourism Representative Luz Navarro. The day's session was capped by playing indigenous games like luksong tinik, patintero, sungka, holen, hand clapping, Chinese garter, and sangkayaw.
PSK also offered interesting subjects and activities in the succeeding Saturdays, including the Life of Jose Rizal and other Filipino modern heroes, Philippine Festivals, and Tuklas Talino, an essay writing contest about the Philippines.
Specific module on Anti-Bullying and Post Arrival Orientation Seminar (PAOS) for newly-arrived Filipino children to help them navigate the school system and New York as their new home were also in the curriculum. END
Consul General Cristobal and Madame Cristobal with the students and teachers of the PSK after the Independence Day Lunch simulation. (New York PCG photo)
Consul General Cristobal treats the students, teachers and volunteers to a luncheon as part of the PSK’s periential Independence Day Reception on 06 July 2019. (New York PCG photo)
Former Philippine Ambassador Cecile B. Rebong teaches Table Manners and Etiquette and Formal Table Setting to the students as well as their parents during the PSK plenary session 06 July 2019. (New York PCG photo)
For more information, visit https://www.newyorkpcg.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.newyorkpcg.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinNY/.