A Slice of Pinoy: Workshops for Kids

One of the ways we teach in Paaralang Pinoy is through workshops where kids can actually try out an  activity--perhaps molding pastillas or playing patintero, tasting the rich tsokolate é or dancing the tinikling, or singing the Batibot show theme song.

With the help of Sign Up Genius, a free online sign up form, you will be able to register for upcoming workshops this spring.  To register your children, go to www.signupgenius.com, click on Find A Sign Up and access our workshops using our email address, paaralang.pinoy@yahoo.com.  You will be able to sign up for all our workshops!  Indicate the number of children who will participate, and include their ages. (Or click the Sign Up Genius button on the right--it will bring you to our workshop registration page directly!)

Here's a sneak peek at the February 9 workshop, Magluto Tayo!  This Cooking Workshop will introduce your children to sweet treats from the Philippines.  They will put together a yummy glass of halo-halo, slice some gulaman for samalamig, and taste some colorful pichi-pichi.  We will also learn Filipino words for different foods and colors, and take home recipes to help mom and dad recreate these treats at home.

Kaya sali na kayo!  Join us and experience a slice of Pinoy.  All workshops will be held at the St. Joseph Center of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, 8601 Wolftrap Road, Vienna, VA, from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m.

February 9
Magluto Tayo! (A Cooking Workshop)

March 16
Maglaro Tayo! (A Street Games Workshop)

April 27
Mamista Tayo! (A Fiesta Workshop)

Simbang Gabi 2013

Sa puso ng lahing Pilipino
Siyam na gabi kaming gumigising
Sa tugtog ng kampanang walang tigil

For the first time in its existence, Paaralang Pinoy sponsored a Simbang Gabi, the Filipino Advent Novena Mass in cooperation with the various communities of the Filipino Ministry of Northern Virginia and the Diocese of Arlington's Office of Multicultural Ministries.  It was a wonderful time to show our Fil-Am youth one of the enduring traditions that their parents have brought with them.

For our particular Mass, the Friends of BLD provided familiar Filipino hymns--nothing beats singing the Ama Namin, the Lord's Prayer in Tagalog!  One of our students proclaimed a reading in Tagalog, two of our young boys served in the Mass, and one of our PP families brought up the bread and wine.  Fr. Andrew Fisher, pastor of St. Ambrose Catholic Church and former Director of Liturgy at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in DC celebrated our Mass.

As folks walked out the door, they were serenaded with a medley of Filipino carols and handed a slice of bibingka for their drive home.  Our kids may not have had to wake up to church bells calling them to Mass at four o'clock in the morning but with a little bit of imagination, they were transported to a Catholic church somewhere in the Philippines for the familiar celebration that helped them prepare for Christmas.

Panunuluyan

There Was No Room for Them in the Inn by Eugene Higgins

Marami pang tao/  Na dito’y darating…

Humanap na ng iba/  Nang hindi dilimin…

Many Filipino-American children are familiar with the Mexican tradition of Las Posadas.  At Paaralang Pinoy, we tell them of the Filipino variation of this tradition that we call Panunuluyan or seeking for lodging.  Our young students also learn a Panunuluyan script in rhyming verse created for us by Filipino novelist (and lola of Paaralang Pinoy students!)

The 2013 Panunuluyan Workshop is a focused activity in the Philippine Christmas Traditions lesson that we teach every year.  

Panunuluyan Workshop

Sunday, December 15

3:30-5:00 p.m.

St. Joseph Center

Our Lady of Good Counsel

8601 Wolftrap Rd., Vienna, VA

Continuing our Parents' Traditions

Glitter and stickers double the fun of decorating.

We call it a success when our Fil-Am kids feel comfortable dressing up a parol and humming along Pasko na Naman at one of our Christmas workshops.  As we state in our objectives, we work at helping them develop respect for their parents' traditions.

Making a parol isn't complete without Pasko na Naman in the background!

But when they look forward to these traditions and find them enjoyable, we see that as a big bonus.

Mabuhay, PP Kids!

One of our students with Ambassador Cuisia at the 2012 Dr. Jose Rizal Youth Awards ceremony

When current and former Paaralang Pinoy students earn accolades, we also bask in their glory and celebrate with them.  We may have little to do with their accomplishments but we do believe that there's something in their Pinoy heritage and our PP classes that contributed to the successful Fil-Am kids that they become.

Happily, their parents share these moments with us.  Congratulations and Mabuhay!

Workshops with PP: Mamasko Tayo!

Paaralang Pinoy is not only planning to teach your kids to make parol from scratch.  This year, we also have a Panunuluyan Workshop where they will get to play pretend and at the same time, learn of a particular Filipino Christmas tradition.

PP kids acing out a Panunuluyan

Join Paaralang Pinoy on the following days and introduce your kids to Christmas with a Filipino flavor. Both workshops will be held at Our Lady of Good Counsel, 8601 Wolftrap Rd., Vienna, VA.

Sunday, November 24
Parol-Making Workshop
2:00-4:00 p.m.
De Sales Hall, OLGC

Bring your own stickers and embellishments, and make your own unique parol (star lantern). Learn to sing Jingle Bells in Tagalog and listen to traditional Filipino Christmas carols as you make your parol.

Sunday, December 15
Panunuluyan Workshop
3:30-5:00 p.m.
St. Joseph Center, OLGC

Learn about Panunuluyan, a reenactment of the nativity story often held on Christmas eve during the Advent Novena of Masses or Simbang Gabi.  There will be a We may also have the opportunity to watch members of the Filipino Ministry rehearse for a Panunuluyan that will be part of a Simbang Gabi at OLGC on December 21, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. This event will begin with the Panunuluyan before the Mass and end with a salu-salo (reception) at De Sales Hall after Mass.

ETA: The rehearsal for the Panunuluyan is scheduled on another day.

We are Seeing Stars!

Start off your Advent Season with a handmade parol!  Paaralang Pinoy, together with Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church (OLGC) and the Catholic Diocese of Arlington's Office of Multicultural Ministries is hosting a Parol-Making Workshop. 

Sunday, November 24, 2013 

De Sales Hall of OLGC 

8601 Wolftrap Rd. Vienna, VA 

2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Your first parol kit will cost $15; additional kits will cost $12 each.  We will teach the children how to put together their parol; they may bring their own stickers and other embellishments to create a parol that's uniquely theirs.  In between pasting and cutting, we will listen to Filipino Christmas carols and even teach them how to sing "Jingle Bells" in Tagalog.

Reserve your kit now and mail your checks payable to--

Filipino Ministry of NoVA

1106 Desale St. SW

Vienna VA 22180