3rd Annual Flores de Mayo and Santacruzan in Northern VA

 

 

It's that season of the year--and in the Philippines, summer is heating up with regular highs in the 90s! Planning for the annual Flores de Mayo and Santacruzan in various towns, provinces, and communities have been going on, with the many images of the Blessed Virgin readied for the ride on the karosa.

Here in Northern Virginia, Arlington Diocese's Office of Multicultural Ministries and St. Bernadette's Amare Music Ministry are preparing for the third annual celebration of this beloved Maytime festivity.

One of Paaralang Pinoy's objectives is to serve as a source of opportunity for dialogue between parents and children as they learn more about the Philippines. Even though we have not been able to hold classes, this area abounds in Fil-Am events and festivals, where one can bring the entire family for a peek into the Filipino culture.

Join the community on May 17, 2025 at St. Bernadette Catholic Church for the Flores de Mayo and Santacruzan procession and Mass.  Email amaremusicministry.flores@gmail.com for more information, or fill out the form to sign up and participate as a sagala or konsorte or Ave Maria angel!

Sali na kayo!

 

Flores de Mayo and Santacruzan

 

Palarong Paaralang Pinoy

It's the last workshop for this school year's Paaralang Co-op, and we will be playing games!  Some of them will test your Pinoy vocabulary via Pictionary or Hangman, and some will test how limber you are, as you jump over hands in luksong-tinik, or transfer that rice-filled square in Chinese jackstones.

Join us this Sunday, March 15, 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Brisson Room of St. Joseph's Center at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Vienna.

Sige, laro na tayo!

Paaralang Pinoy and the Co-op Model of Teaching

After only three workshops this school year, Paaralang Pinoy has discovered already some talented individuals who love sharing their Filipino heritage to our young people.  And together with these  Kuya, Até, or Tita, the kids have found their Fil-Am community in the midst of Northern Virginia.

Parents are always a part of this co-op model of teaching kids, and in Paaralang Pinoy, our parents  assist in the workshops.  We follow a curriculum that provides the framework for our lessons but the experiences and stories of our elders add depth to the conversations.  

Some have visited the Philippines recently, and are able to share their experiences. Some have visited the towns and provinces in our lessons, and add local color to our subjects.  And our second-generation parents who grew up away from their Filipino heritage learn alongside their children!

Occasionally, we find a Tita or Lola or Kuya who belong to the local Filipino community, and who love to share their time and talent with Paaralang Pinoy!  They are not related to anybody in the class but will join us on a Sunday afternoon to teach the Cariñosa dance or to sing Dungawin mo Hirang as an example of a kundiman!

You can also become a part of this community. We have two more workshops in the school year, and your support--maybe your singing voice or dancing feet, knowledge or fluency in a local language or dialect, vacation experience at one of our famous Philippine beaches, perhaps you have a bibingka and puto recipe--are welcome in Paaralang Pinoy!

Our children, when they grow up and look back, will remember your stories and your presence fondly and with deep appreciation.  In fact, they may even come back to share their teaching talents with the younger ones!

Kaya sige, sali na kayo!

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

It's Time to Make Your Parol!

Pinoy Connections

As we put together activities and events that will introduce our youth to All Things Pinoy, we'll post occasionally the invitations that we receive from local organizations. We hope that you will find something that fits your schedule and your kids' ages as you take them on this journey to learning more about our history and heritage. 

Tales from Mindanao
Saturday, October 21
1:00-3:00 p.m.
Kenmore Middle School
200 South Carlin Springs Road,
Arlington, VA

In celebration of the Filipino-American History Month, in cooperation with Sentro Rizal of the Embassy of the Philippines and the Ilocano Society of America (ISA) Miss Teen Philippines-America Pageant, the Migrant Heritage Commission (MHC) proudly presents "Tales from Mindanao" a cultural performance in loving memory of our energetic and graceful dancer-choreographer Mama CONNIE VALERA. This is part of the 2018 Integrated Performing Arts Guild (IPAG) US Cultural Mission Tour.

Hibla at Habi 3.0 
Saturday, October 27 
7:30 p.m. 
American University's Kay Spiritual Life Center 
4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 

Free and open to the public 
Parking is free at the Katzen Arts Center across the main entrance to American University. 

Tanghalang Pilipino ng Washington DC brings to the stage “HIBLA at HABI 3.0” (Our Cloth, Our Story), an evening program featuring indigenous musical instruments and traditional and tribal costumes.

Dreaming Big with Paaralang Pinoy

When we started in 2007, our goal was to teach our Filipino-American youth everything Pinoy--a little bit of our language, a little bit of our culture, and a whole lot of being Filipino in another culture.  Through classes, workshops, and various celebrations, we raised a generation of first- to fifth-graders into high school- and college-aged kids, who appreciate and value their parents' heritage and traditions.

But we don't want to stop there.  Paaralang Pinoy is dreaming big, and moving forward with a new set of programs to serve the Filipino-American youth.

• PP Music Program teaches and exposes our youth to Filipino church hymns, traditional folk songs, and Original Pinoy Music (OPM).  Included in this program is a Family Choir that assists in the monthly Filipino Mass and the annual Simbang Gabi with the Bishop.

• PP Cultural & Arts Program focuses on instruction in the different folk and ethnic dances, and in the modern interpretation of traditional dances.  This program allows our youth to represent the Filipino culture in dance performances.
  

• Paaralang Co-op Program consists of parents working together with teacher-volunteers in sharing the Filipino culture to their children, and includes storytelling sessions, demonstrations and workshops, and conversation practices. Though geared to rising 1st to 5th graders, older children are given tasks, and earn community service hours for their assistance.

• PP Youth Group prepares our Filipino-American youth to lead the larger Filipino community in American society, and includes leadership formation seminars, mentoring sessions, and educational field trips to Fil-Am events.

We will be launching these programs on September 15, 2018, the celebration of the Feast of Filipino martyr, San Lorenzo.  Join us for 7:00 p.m. Mass and the reception that follows at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, and find out more about what's new with Paaralang Pinoy.

Sige na! Sali na kayo!

Preparing for Christmas: the Pinoy Way

It's that time of the year again when Pinoys all over the world clean up multi-colored, star-shaped lanterns to decorate their homes.  Yes, there may be trees and garlands, elaborate creche scenes called belen, and even fake snow.  But nothing says "Filipino" more than the parol.

Here in the Northern Virginia area, we will have a Simbang Gabi kick off event on Saturday, December 9 at Queen of Apostles Catholic Church, which includes the annual Parol-Making Workshop.

Date:     Saturday, December 9, 2017

Time:     3:00pm to 5:00pm

Where:  Queen of Apostles Catholic Church at Hannan Hall

              4329 Sano Street, Alexandria, VA 22312

Prepare for Christmas this year by making your own Christmas Star Lantern (parol). Bring your own decorations or embellishments (e.g. Nativity or family photos, stickers, ribbons, etc.) or use the construction paper provided to create your own ideas. You might want to bring a mug to use as a stand for your parol while you’re working at it.

Contribution for Cost of Materials:  $15.00 / complete kit for Christmas Star Lantern (parol)

Sige na, sali na kayo!  Space is limited, so sign up today!

For additional information, to RSVP or to reserve your kits, please email: prayer.gardens at gmail dot com.

This event is jointly sponsored by the Fil-Am Community Ministry at OLGC, Paaralang Pinoy, and the Filipino Ministry of Northern Virginia in collaboration with the Catholic Diocese of Arlington’s Office of Multicultural Ministries.

Building Traditions: Making Your Own Parol

Nothing says "Filipino Christmas" better than a parol. The ubiquitous Christmas Star Lantern marks many household windows, store fronts, and street lamps as early as September. Share this Filipino tradition with your children, and join us at our annual parol-making workshop.

Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016
2:00pm to 4:00pm
De Sales Hall
Our Lady of Good Counsel
Vienna, VA

Bring your own decorations or embellishments or use the construction paper provided to create your own designs.  A donation of $15.00 will give you a complete kit.

Reserve your kits now and mail your checks payable to:

Filipino Ministry of NoVA

1106 DeSale Street, SW

Vienna, VA 22180-6733

Spring Workshops Moved to Fall 2016

We have moved our Spring Workshops and integrated them with our upcoming Fall Classes, tentatively scheduled for October and November 2016.  Watch this space for updates!

Palm Sunday Mass at St. Bernadette Church sponsored by Paaralang Pinoy

April Workshops

Are your kids ready to use their hands and move their bodies?

Paaralang Pinoy is once more offering our Slice of Pinoy: Spring Workshop series next month to introduce your kids to a bit of dancing, some martial arts, and a lot of playtime, Pinoy-style.  On a special cooking demonstration day, they will make and taste pichi-pichi, and we will have homemade bibingka available for you to buy and take home.

Our workshops are geared to rising 1st to 5th graders.  Though we can accommodate your little ones, be prepared to assist them as all our sessions will immerse them in the activity.  Fees: $10/child/class or $32/child for all Spring workshops if paid in full by the first day of class.

We welcome our parents and friends, mga lolo at lola, mga tito at tita, to join us in introducing our children to our culture.  Watch your kids learn to love their Filipino heritage, and stay to teach them more from your own experiences and skills.  Teacher volunteers are the lifeblood of Paaralang Pinoy, and we'd like you to be part of this joyful sharing of talents.

Registration to our workshops will be open soon.  Just click on the signup genius button on the right.

Immersing Ourselves in All Things Pinoy

Paaralang Pinoy welcomed autumn in Virginia with a series of Fall Classes for our local Filipino-American youth.  There was a little bit of everything each Sunday: some Filipino words and phrases, some video clips, books and music, and of course, a taste of Filipino and Asian snacks after all that work.

 

We always sing the Lupang Hinirang at the start of class, and even without knowing all the words, the children are now familiar with the melody.  They even learned of Julian Felipe's influences in composing the anthem, comparing portions of it to the national anthems of Spain and France, and to Verdi's famous opera, Aida.

Show-and-Tell allowed the children to bring souvenirs from their parents' and grandparents' stash, introducing the rest of the class to games, outfits, and decor made of capiz, wood, and other materials.

 

   

 

We got to move our bodies even in our short class, with some pretend- and role-play.  One day, we were farmers planting and pounding rice.  Another time, the boys were Maglalatik dancers.

Peek-a-boo obtained a new definition as we danced part of the Carinosa.  And our little saling-pusa kids quacked their way through the Itik-Itik.

 

 

One of our more creative classes made us into Filipino architects.  Using the book, What Kids Should Know About Philippine Architecture, we learned about homes, malls, even cemeteries, and created our version of a Gabaldon schoolhouse.

Kasaysayan, or history, that huge topic that we couldn't have covered in a year, much less in one lesson, was a quick view of Philippine independence.  After learning of the influences to our flag's design and looking at the coat of arms that King Phillip II granted to the city of Manila, we created our own coat of arms.

Christmas traditions will be our last lesson for the Fall Classes.  It promises to be another fun class with a little something to do, a little something to eat, and whole lot of immersing ourselves in Pinoy culture.

If you're interested in making your own traditional parol, join us on Sunday, November 29 at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Vienna, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.  You will be provided with a complete kit of tools for making your own Christmas Star.  A donation of $15 is requested.

Watch this space for registration information for Paaralang Pinoy's Spring Workshops in April 2016.  Sali na kayo!