Page 6 - NYPCG - KAAKBAY 2018 July to December
P. 6
6 July to December
2018
20th Paaralan sa Konsulado Opens for Consul General Welcomes Paaralan sa Konsulado
Young Filipino-American Children Students to their Home
The 20th Paaralan Sa Konsulado (PSK) was
launched 30 June at the Philippine Center with 58 excited
students. Teachers, volunteers, parents, and organizing
partners accompanied the enrollees during the morning’s
program, and throughout the day.
A flagship project of the Philippine Consulate Consul General Claro S. Cristobal and Mrs. Marilou Cristobal welcome Paaralan
General in New York (PCGNY) in partnership with the sa Konsulado (PSK) students during the luncheon that they hosted on 21 July
Association of Fil-Am Teachers of America (AFTA), PSK is a 2018 at the Philippine Center.
summer school with a curriculum focused on lessons about
the Philippines. PSK offers classes for young Filipinos and The students of 20th Paaralan sa Konsulado (PSK),
Filipino-Americans aged 6-16 years old. The program runs together with their volunteer teachers from the Association of
for five Saturdays during summer. This year, it will be held Filipino Teachers in America (AFTA) and AFTA summer interns
from 30 June to 28 July 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. were the guests to a formal luncheon hosted by Consul
General Claro S. Cristobal and Madam Marilou Cristobal, as
During the opening ceremony, Deputy Consul part of the PSK’s special feature class. The luncheon was a
General Kerwin Orville C. Tate shared a story about the mockup Independence Day celebration, which the children
talents and works of Dr Jose Rizal and reminded the children attended in formal national dress.
to share his legacy and to be proud to be Filipino. He also
thanked the teachers and parents for continuing the effort of In his welcome remarks, Consul General Claro
teaching children about where we come from and what our Cristobal assured the children that the Philippine Consulate
culture means. General in New York (PCGNY) is their home, underlining that,
like their parents, the Consulate is where they can come when
In her inspirational remarks, Ms. Marilyn Diosa, a they need someone to trust, where they will feel safe and
PSK alumna who was with the first batch to join the PSK in where they will always belong.
1999 and who is now a grade school teacher in New York
City, shared how she was initially overwhelmed, but “Once a Filipino, always a Filipino, that a Filipino
eventually had a great time at PSK. She encouraged the belongs to all other Filipinos, we are just one big family living
children to enjoy and be open as it will be an opportunity for together in one home,” said the Consul General.
fun, new memories, friendship and inculcate the love of
Filipino culture and values. (Continue to page 7)
Dr. Roxanne Cajigas, President of AFTA introduced (Continued from pg. 5. (NY Assemblyman Honors Fil-Am…)
the teachers, volunteers, and the PCGNY officials. Dr, Mr Aries Dela Cruz, Manhattan Representative of the
Cajigas also welcomed the children and assured the parents
that the five Saturdays would be full of fun and learning. She Office of Governor Andrew Cuomo graced the event with a
also encouraged the parents to be involved in the planning of message from the Governor recognizing the importance of
the Culminating Activity, which is scheduled to be held on 28 Filipino-American History Month as a reminder of the growing
July 2018. influence of the Filipinos and Filipino-Americans in New York
State.
For 20 years, PCGNY and AFTA have continued to
find ways to innovate and improve the curriculum of the PSK,
and this year promises to be even more interesting for the
PSK students, with the program’s lineup of activities.
Deputy Consul General Kerwin Orville C. Tate welcomes the Paaralan sa The awards were granted to: Broadway artist Karla
Konsulado students and thanks the parents for encouraging their children to Garcia, the first Hamilton cast member; Fiesta in America, the
discover Philippine culture. biggest Filipino trade and cultural show in the US Northeast;
Friends of the Philippines Society USA, organizers of the Noli
Me Tangere Opera and Explore Islands Philippines at the
Grand Central Station; Fresh Off the Boat Boys (FOBBS) Arts
Collective, a group of street artists in New York; the Knights of
Rizal New York City Chapter; Natalie Giron, Founder of Mrs.
Giron Tutoring and Learning Center; Philippine Nurses
Association – New York; and a posthumous award to Dr. Dawn
Mabilon, a respected historian, author, filmmaker and
community leader.
