Page 7 - 2017 JUL -DEC KAAKBAY

July to December 7
2017

Association of Fil-Am Teachers in America holds NY Int’l Conference

The Association of Fil-Am Teachers in America, Inc.
(AFTA) held its International Educator’s Convention last 11-13
November 2017 at the Philippine Center in New York.

The convention, themed “Celebrate.Inspire.Lead” was

attended by dozens of educators from across the United

States. Convention delegates had the chance to attend

multiple modules designed to enhance their capabilities as

teachers and educators. These modules included Classroom

Strategies, Math Skills Development, Using Information and

Technology for Literary Skills, and even Educator’s Brand (Left to right Consul Kerwin Tate, USEC Lorna Dig Dino, Labor Attaché Saul De
Building, among others.
Vries)

The first day’s highlights included a presentation on the status of the Philippine educational system delivered by
Undersecretary Lorna Dig Dino of the Philippine Department of Education, as well as a report on the status of Overseas
Worker deployment policies by Philippine Labor Attaché Saul De Vries. Deputy Consul General Kerwin Tate represented the
Consulate and with the Consulate’s Cultural – Community Section, assisted during the morning program.

The spirited discussion that followed the reports led to the proposal to formalize the “Balik-turo” program of the AFTA
and the Department of Education, to enable US-based Filipino teachers to share with their Philippine counterparts the best
practices of the American educational system, to see what could be applied to the Philippine learning context.

The educators expressed their excitement and pleasure

at being afforded the opportunity to expand their skill sets, and at

the same time interact with teaching colleagues coming from the

Philippines. The United States has been recruiting teachers from

the Philippines for many years, with many of the teachers

gaining recognition and awards for their excellence and

dedication to education. AFTA has been a valued partner of the

Philippine Consulate General in New York, and has been a

Teachers and Educators listen intently to the presentations and reports during major collaborator with the Paaralan sa Konsulado, one of the
the plenary. Consulate’s flagship programs.

US Northeast Filipinos Run for Hurricane Harvey Relief

The Handang Tumulong Foundation, Inc. (HTFI) a new York-based non-profit organization held its 8th Annual Walk
and Run for a Cause at Lincoln Park, Jersey City on 07 October 2017.

Participated in by nearly 100 runners and walkers, proceeds from this year’s event will go towards assistance for
Filipinos and Filipino-Americans affected by Hurricane Harvey which hit the state of Texas, in particular the Houston area
where a large Filipino-American Community resides.

The HTFI provides relief assistance to various countries and communities around the world whenever natural
disasters strike.

Current Head Alex Esteban said the goals and programs of
HTFI are simple and focused, “we aim to provide relief to people who
suddenly find themselves with nothing after a natural disaster
strikes”.

Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega thanked the HTFI

officers, members, volunteers, and supporters for always being

ready to extend assistance to those who find themselves in dire

straits after being affected by natural calamities no one is really

prepared for. A delegation from New York PCG also took part in the

Consul General Dizon-De Vega (3rd from left) join the HTFI officers and event as a sign of solidarity and support for Filipino-Americans in
other parts of the US.
members at the Opening Ceremony (photos by NYPCG)