Fil-Am students spend vacation learning about their roots

CHICAGO – Some 57 young Filipino-American students who were on vacation from their schools here spent their summer learning about an important thing: their roots. After three consecutive Saturdays, the students last week their Certificates of Attendance for completing this year’s pilot summer class on Philippine language and culture, part of the project dubbed “Eskwelahang Pinoy sa Konsulado 2010." The students recited Filipino poems and delivered speeches in Tagalog for the closing program. There was also a community singing of the trademark Filipino folk song “Bahay Kubo", accompanied by the Philippine Rondalla. In his remarks, Consul General Leo M. Herrera-Lim thanked the Filipino community for its “enthusiastic response" to the program. “We thank the Filipino community in Chicago for joining us in this journey of self discovery. All of us moved closer towards a realization of our identity as Filipino and fully aware of the richness of our culture and heritage. The enthusiastic response of the community animates all of us" Herrera-Lim said. The topics discussed included subjects in Philippine studies such history, heroes and presidents, language, indigenous music and dances, customs and traditions, indigenous children’s games, riddles and rhymes, and arts and cuisine. The Consul General also gave Certificates of Appreciation to the Fil-Am lecturers and co-sponsors of the summer class, which included the National Federation of Filipino American Associations-Illinois, Philippine Independence Week Committee 2010, Zamboanga Del Norte National (Provincial) High School Alliance-USA, and the Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights and Empowerment. While the program was a success, Herrera-Lim said he will still discuss with the group if it will be held again in the future. The two-hour sessions were held in Chicago for three Saturdays – July 24 and 31, and Aug. 7. Previous programs involved sending the children to the Philippines for a guided educational immersion program.—JMA/JV, GMANews.TV