Sentro Rizal in Washington D.C., UNIFFIED-MD, Successfully Conclude 1st Virtual “Silid-Aralan Sa Embahada”
Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez interacts with the members of the United Federation of Fil-Am Educators Maryland Chapter (UNIFFIED-MD) during the culmination program. (Washington D.C. PE photo)
WASHINGTON, D.C. 19 August 2020 — The Philippine Embassy, through Sentro Rizal Washington D.C., and the United Federation of Fil-Am Educators Maryland Chapter (UNIFFIED-MD) conducted this year’s “Silid-Aralan sa Embahada” using Zoom and Google Classroom platforms from 10 to 14 August 2020.
With the theme “Tuluyang Pagpapalawig ng Kulturang Pilipino sa Gitna ng Pandemya”, “Silid-Aralan sa Embahada 2020” held daily one-hour classes for young Filipinos and Filipino-Americans on Philippine geography, history, national symbols, arts and craft; Philippine folk songs, music, and poems; national costumes and folk dances; national language, storytelling, and plays; and Filipino values, traditions, and games.
The learners were divided into two groups, namely: the K Class (Kids Class) consisting of students between four and nine years old; and the Y Class (Youth Class) consisting of those between 10 and 18 years old.
A culminating program was held on 15 August 2020, recognizing 78 learners who actively participated in and completed the required number of modules. Students Kristina Angela Trinidad and Kristian Lorenzo Trinidad served as the program emcees.
The “Silid-Aralan sa Embahada” is an annual collaborative learning program between the Embassy and Filipino-American volunteer teachers, which provides summer classes focused on various facets of Philippine culture and heritage. The classes are held in August, coinciding with the celebration of Philippine National Language Month or Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa.
During the culmination program, the learners wore traditional Filipino attire and shared their talents in singing, dancing, poetry-reading, and acting.
UNIFFIED-MD Chapter President Malou Cadacio opened the culminating program with a message of appreciation to the parents, learners, and volunteer teachers, including Ms. Ivy Hilay-Wilcher who directed this year’s classes in her capacity as chairperson of the UNIFFIED-Maryland Socio-Cultural Committee.
“We will certainly cherish these moments with you and will always inspire us to teach and perpetuate our culture, with or without this pandemic,” said Ms. Cadacio in her remarks.
Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez thanked and commended the learners, their family members, and the volunteer teachers for their respective efforts that contributed to the success of “Silid-Aralan sa Embahada 2020.”
“Dear students, I hope that as you grow older, you will carry with you the knowledge, values, and traditions that you have learned through these classes. Practice them when you can and be proud of your unique Filipino heritage,” said Ambassador Romualdez.
Founded in 2013, UNIFFIED is composed of Filipino teachers in the United States with the mission to foster unity and camaraderie among Filipino educators and help uplift communities in the United States and the Philippines alike. END
Members of the K Class dance the “Itik-Itik” as part of the culmination program. (Washington D.C. PE photo)
One of the K Students recite her poem during the culmination program. (Washington D.C. PE photo)
For more information, visit https://www.washingtonpe.dfa.gov.ph, www.philippineembassy-usa.org, https://www.facebook.com/PHinUSA, or https://www.twitter.com/philippinesusa.