Colorful buntings transformed our generic space into fiesta central and set up the stage for teaching our kids about summer celebrations in the Philippines. Tinikling was the first order of the day sans real bamboo poles. Nevertheless, the kids still worked up a sweat as they pretended to keep their feet safe while dancing with grace and energy.
Our lovely young ladies tried their acting skills as they danced the Carinosa, which has simple steps but required expressive hands and faces. One can tell how much fun it's been for them to perform for the parents.
Since many fiestas occur during the summer months, we simply had to introduce our kids to exotic summer fruits that they may not encounter at the local groceries: guyabano, atis, lansones. They also learned how to address the many relatives they will meet at the fiestas. You should have seen the pleased looks of our guests when a two-year-old boy called out to them: lolo! lola!
As a finale, the older kids remembered a song they were taught in previous years, and helped our new kid in class how to greet, kumusta!
Mamiyesta Tayo! ends our series of A Slice of Pinoy Workshops for the school year 2013-2014. We look forward to seeing our old and new friends again next year for an exciting adventure in learning about all things Pinoy. Many thanks to our teacher-volunteers, our excited parents, and for Ms. Senyk at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, our host site this year.
Join us for Mass on Saturday, May 17, 2014, 7:30-8:30 p.m. at St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Springfield, sponsored by Paaralang Pinoy. Bring a friend. We will have information for volunteers, teachers, helpers, parents and students.
