09 September 2014 - The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong celebrated “Buwan ng Wika” (Filipino Language Month) with Filipino songs, dances and poetry on August 24 at the Consulate General’s Public Area.

The program featured performances by members of the Filipino community and Consulate General personnel. The performances include the following:

·         renditions of Filipino classics by soprano and former member of the Philippine Madrigal Singers  Agnes Quilicot, and the Visayas-Mindanao Music and Dance Ensemble;

·         a dance number to the tune of “Sampaguita” from the Philippine Folk Dance and Performing Arts choreographed by Ms. Nena Latonero;

·         a duet of “Kalesa” by Graiden Faith Labrador and Aaliyah Louise Capili;

·         an a cappella rendition of “Isang Lahi” by Filipino-Nepali student Angelbert Thapa;

·         reading Dr. Jose Rizal’s “Sa Aking Mga Kabata” by the children of the Consulate General staff; and

·         community singing of the patriotic song “Pilipinas Kong Mahal.”     

During her remarks, Philippine Consul General in Hong Kong Bernardita L. Catalla underlined the importance to overseas Filipinos of speaking the Filipino language.  She also encouraged parents to teach and speak with their children in Filipino as this is one way of uniting the Filipino community in Hong Kong and fostering love of country. 

As the event’s culminating performance, the Filipino community danced to Gary Valenciano’s “Galing ng Pilipino.”

Proclamation No. 1041 signed in 1997 designates the month of August as “Buwan ng Wika” to promote the significance of the Filipino language as a tool for communication, understanding, unity and prosperity.  END