22 May 2014 - The Philippine Embassy in Vientiane and the Filipino community in Laos celebrated Mother’s Day with a short play entitled, “Papel de Liha” last May 17 at the Embassy as part of its year-long Sentro Rizal program of activities.

Papel de Liha, written by Ompong Remigio and published by Adarna House, is an award-winning story honoring the untiring love and selfless care of a mother. She works all day, cooks her family’s meals, does the laundry and cleans the house which make her hands as rough as sandpaper but when she touches her child, her hands soften with tenderness.

Filipino community members Ms. Lina Abdan, Joselle Nafianog and Lara Maria Luz Lagaras were tapped to portray the mother, daughter and story-teller. Ms. Sylvia Tamangen served as the event’s facilitator.  After the play, the children serenaded their mothers with a song rendition of “Iingatan ka.”

The kids then hugged their mothers to show their appreciation and love.  The parents were so touched and many shed tears of joy.  They thoroughly enjoyed the Embassy’s special activity for mothers.  The activity also aimed to build the kid’s appreciation of the Filipino language and learning Filipino values and culture.

To cap the Mother’s Day celebration, the Embassy treated the children and parents with home-made sandwiches and refreshing drinks.  END