PH Embassy Partners with PH Education Society to Launch "Silid-Aralan sa Embahada"

Philippine Ambassador to Sweden Maria Lumen B. Isleta (center) together with Philippine Education Society (PES) Chairperson, Mr. Noli Buhay, Vice Consul Pat Solosa, Cultural Officer, Ms. Patricia Santos, Volunteer Teachers Rofilleta Larsson and Elrica Uy, with students at the launch of Silid-Aralan sa Embahada on 11 March 2023. (Stockholm PE photo)

STOCKHOLM 13 March 2023 – The Philippine Embassy in Stockholm, in partnership with the Philippine Education Society (PES) in Stockholm, launched its flagship project - “Silid-Aralan sa Embahada” on 11 March 2023.

The pilot project consists of six (6) classes conducted bi-monthly and will cover topics such as Philippine language, history, culture and traditions, values, and heritage, through lectures and fun activities. The classes are taught by Filipino Mother Tongue Teachers and PES members Ms. Rofiletta Larsson and Ms. Elrica Uy. 

In her welcome remarks, Ambassador Isleta shared that the project is meant “to complement the students’ learnings of the Philippines, their Filipino identity and language that they may learn from attending Mother Tongue classes at schools” as well as introduce these to those who do not have the opportunity to do so in their respective kommuns or schools. She underscored the need to keep 2nd and 3rd generations of Filipinos familiar with and rooted in their parents’ heritage. 

PES Chairperson Noli Buhay shared that the organization’s vision is to make education readily available to children to equip them with the knowledge and character traits that will help them be the next generation of leaders and positively contribute to society. 

The Philippine Education Society (PES) is a non-profit, non-political, and non-religious organization that aims to promote college and vocational education for needy and deserving Filipinos. Additionally, PES also supports newly-arrived Filipinos who are now residents, working or studying, in Sweden. Membership to the PES is open to all qualified Filipinos, Swedes, and other nationals with links to the Philippines. END

Ambassador Isleta welcomed the students and their parents at the launch of Silid-Aralan sa Embahada (left photo) together with Mr. Noli Buhay, Chairperson of the Philippine Education Society (PES) (right photo). (Stockholm PE photo)

Children were taught how to play “tumbang lata” (left photo) and asked to draw their understanding of basic Filipino phrases in a group activity (right photo). (Stockholm PE photo)