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!