A-Ba-Ka-Da!

One Sunday afternoon, Paaralang Co-op students can be heard uttering seemingly nonsense words but there was no cause for worry.  They were only helping their mouths form the short vowel sounds in the Filipino alphabet.  Before long, they can see a Filipino word and their mouths will know instinctively how to read and pronounce correctly!

Paaralang Co-op may not teach your children to speak fluently but they will learn much more than vocabulary to spice up their conversations with sige, salamat, or sa uulitin!  They will find other kids, who also feel comfortable eating with a spoon and fork, who love pastillas made from carabao's milk, and who will bring their elder's hand to forehead as a sign of respect.

At our first workshop this fall, we reviewed some basic words of introduction, familiarized ourselves with the map and flag of the Philippines, and listened to Ang Pagong at ang Matsing while munching on Skyflakes Condensada.

At our second workshop, we continued the lessons with a Tour of Luzon, a short history of the Philippine flag and its revolutionary beginnings, and of the Barong Tagalog, and finally learning about the manongs from California with a story about Lakas and the Manilatown Fish.

Join us next month for the last fall workshop, when we will take a Tour of Visayas, continue with the history of the Philippine flag during the American occupation and the Commonwealth Government, and see what the ladies wore during our years under Spain.

Sige, sali na kayo!

Sunday, November 17, 2019

2:30 - 4:00 p.m.

Brisson Room at St. Joseph's Center

Our Lady of Good Counsel

8601 Wolftrap Road

Vienna VA 22182

Save the Dates for Paaralang Co-op!

It's a Fiesta!

Paaralang Pinoy's Fiesta Workshop was as fun as we imagined it would be!  It felt like a typical day in May somewhere in the Philippines--hot and very humid.

But under the trees and shade of Shelter A in Nottoway Park, the families who joined us had a blast playing tumbang preso and agawan base; the prowess of the titas in sungka were challenged by the kids; and with a bit of Filipiniana music, the dance genes of Pinoys were in full display!

The parents were thrilled to see their children play the games of their youth.  The aunts and uncles, and a few Lola and Lolo were happy to share their kuwento.  This can only mean a fortuitous beginning for this next phase of Paaralang Pinoy: the PP co-op program where parents and teacher-volunteers work together to share their talents to these new generation of Fil-Am kids and their friends.

Sige, sali na kayo!

Fiesta Fun with Paaralang Pinoy