PH Consulate General in Vancouver and University of the Philippines Alumni Association of British Columbia Host Buwan ng Wika: Balagtasan, Kundiman, Harana, Tula at Sayawan

(Left photo) Consul Ericka Abad delivers the welcome remarks before the Filipino community. (Right photo) Himig Kabataan performs their newly arranged song entitled, “Ikaw.” (Photos by Vancouver PCG)

VANCOUVER 04 September 2023 – The University of the Philippines Alumni Association of British Columbia (UPAABC), in partnership with the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver, organized the Balagtasan, Kundiman, Harana, Tula at Sayawan (Ikasiyam na Yugto) on 18 August 2023 at Praise International Church in Surrey, British Columbia, in celebration of this year’s Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa.

Consul Ericka Anna Abad delivered the welcome remarks for the Philippine Consulate.  The program featured performances by members of Himig Kabataan, an up-and-coming choral group composed of students from the Holy Cross Secondary High School; Friends, Apothic, Music group (FAM), and the PCG Vancouver Dance Group. New to this year’s program is the presentation of the Igorot Dance moves as demonstrated by Mr. Cilff Belgica with the members of the audience participating.

The highlight of the event was the Balagtasan entitled, “Isang Libo’t Isang Salita ng mga Makabagong Makata,” written by Ms. Bella Balisi-Bevilacqua. 

About a hundred UP alumni members and guests were in attendance, dressed in their Filipiniana attire. The theme for this year’s Buwan ng Wika is “Filipino and indigenous languages: Language of peace, security, and inclusive implementation of social justice” (“Filipino at mga katutubong wika: Wika ng kapayapaan, seguridad at ingklusibong pagpapatupad ng katarungang panlipunan”). END

Ms. Rosette Correa and Ms. Mylene Lim as the Balagtasan debaters / protagonists while Mr. Ahmed Tillah acts as Lakandiwa. (Photo by Vancouver PCG)

PCG Vancouver Dance Group performs two folk dances namely: Alitaptap and an Ilocano dance called Binatbatan. (Photo by Vancouver PCG)

Members of the Friends, Apothic, Music (FAM) serenade the crowd with heartwarming and fun music. (Photo by Vancouver PCG)

For more information, visit https://www.vancouverpcg.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.vancouverpcg.org, https://www.facebook.com/PHinVancouver, or https://www.instagram.com/phinvancouver/.