28 August 2013 - The Philippine Embassy in Brunei Darussalam concluded the 11^th session of the Filipino Language and Cultural Enrichment Program (Pilipino Po Ako: Tayo’y Mag-aral Mag-Pilipino) which was held from August 05 to 16 and coincided with the annual mid-term school break of the school children. 

The program was also held as part of the celebration of the “National Language Month” (Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa) which is held every month of August.

The Embassy’s weekly flag-raising event held last August 05 marked the opening of the 11^th Session of the Filipino Language and Cultural Enrichment Program. The school children, dressed in Filipiniana attire, together with the Filipino volunteer teachers of the Brunei Filipino Educators Club (BFEC) and a few parents, joined members of the Philippine Embassy in singing the Lupang Hinirang and reciting the Panunumpa sa Watawat.

The intensive two-week program saw the school-aged children from ages 6 to 18 years old taught basic lessons on the Filipino language, culture, and history which will be very useful for them once they return to the Philippines and re-enter the Philippine school system.

The highlight of the program was the Graduation Ceremony held on August 16 wherein 61 school children received their certificates for completing the two-week course.

With the Graduation Ceremony theme “Sayaw, Awit at Musikahang Pilipino Noon at Ngayon,” the graduates performed a medley of Original Pinoy Music (OPM) from the ‘60s and ‘70s and dance numbers that seemed like a sentimental journey into the past and which was much applauded by the audiences.

In his Inspirational Message to the graduates, Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Nestor Z. Ochoa noted that “songs, music, and dances are a big part of our identity as Filipinos. Through dance and music, our graduates were encouraged to study further the Filipino language, our history, culture and traditions. It is important to teach our children the Filipino language and culture, because these are important distinctive traits that make us a people,” he added.

Ambassador Ochoa thanked all those who have made the program a success:

·         Filipino volunteer teaches from the Brunei Filipino Educators Circle led by President Eugene Mendoza;

·         Resource speakers, media partners, committee leaders, parents, and most of all, the graduates who enrolled in the program.

He concluded his speech by encouraging the graduates to continue the process of learning the language through everyday use. END