23 August 2013 – For the second year running, Philippine Ambassador to Canada Leslie B. Gatan welcomed Filipino-Canadian children from the Ottawa Valley to the official residence on August 18 for a fun-filled day of learning Filipino language, history and traditions. 

Dubbed ABAKADA Atbp., the program opened with the singing of the Philippine national anthem followed by an introduction to conversational Filipino.  Ms. Myrna Rosales acquainted the young participants with common phrases in the national language as well as the mano, the time-honored Filipino custom of greeting one’s elders. 

Folk dances caught the children’s interest as the Philippine Dance Troupe of Ottawa (PDOT) presented a demonstration of Tinikling, Maglalatik and Itik-Itik.  Led by Ms. Vanessa Gomez, PDOT members, among them “graduates” of last year’s ABAKADA, spent their Saturday morning sharing the joy of dancing with would-be new recruits.

The children sat with rapt attention as Ms. Victorhea Rivilla related to them the story of Andres Bonifacio and the evolution of the Kataastaasan Kagalanggalangang KatioyKKK using an e-learning module of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.  Maliliit ng Gagamba was also a hit among the children who learned the song from Mr. Miguel Luis Moreno in a matter of minutes.

Not surprisingly, luksong tinik, luksong baka and patintero proved to be the highlight of the day as Mr. Moreno coached his little league on the rudiments of these Filipino children’s games.  The children then settled down to the story of Juan Tamad and Juan Masipag as told to them by Ms. Nora Cote who, as Lola Basyang,   imparted lessons on Filipino values along with her puppet Bait.

At the end of the program, parents were thrilled to see their children speak and sing in Pilipino.  Ambassador Gatan promptly rewarded the participants with goodies for their efforts, courtesy of Ms. Betty Obas.  On their own accord, the children stayed on to practice the Tinikling.

“I am deeply grateful to our volunteers – Ms. Rosales, Ms. Gomez and the PDOT, Ms. Rivilla, Mr. Moreno and Ms. Cote as well as Ms. Betty Obas – who all did a fine job of awakening our children’s interest in Filipino culture.  It was heartwarming to see them fully engaged in our activities today,” Ambassador Gatan remarked.

ABAKADA Atbp. is an initiative of the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa and a brainchild of Ambassador and Mrs. Gatan to keep the Filipino-Canadian community’s younger generation in touch with their Filipino heritage.   END