PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL

At the morning session, Filipino entrepreneur Chef Diana Manalang, owner of Little Chef Little Cafe in Long Island, gave a live baking demonstration of her original recipe for Pandan cookies. The ensuing tasting session delighted the palates of participants, many of whom expressed a keen interest in further exploring the rich culinary traditions of their Filipino heritage.

At the culminating program in the afternoon, parents were invited to the Kalayaan Hall to enjoy a series of performances by the students themselves. Grouped by age, the graduates enthusiastically displayed their newfound skills and proficiency in Filipino song, dance, and poetry.

In his remarks during the culminating program, Deputy Consul General Adrian Elmer S. Cruz emphasized the significance of the PSK beyond its curriculum. “The Paaralan sa Konsulado is a safe space where children help gain confidence and establish rapport with children their own age.” Deputy Consul General Cruz said. “It is my wish… that the PSK provides a learning space for parents and their children to continue interacting together so that the Filipino identity is preserved within the family.”

At the closing, PSK President Rena Pedaria reiterated AFTA’s commitment to ensure that lessons being taught in the summer program are relevant to today’s societal and cultural context. PSK Principal Dara Valconcha reaffirmed AFTA’s commitment to sustain the program and continually update its curriculum to maximize the gains that participants derive from it.

The Paaralan sa Konsulado is a yearly summer program held at the Philippine Center New York that offers young Filipino-Americans between the age of 5 to 15 years the opportunity to learn Filipino values, language and history, as well as an appreciation of local culture through songs, dances, and games. END