Fil-Am Youth Honor Filipino Roots in Vibrant Culmination of 27th Paaralan sa Konsulado
NEW YORK, 28 July 2025 – The 27th Paaralan sa Konsulado (PSK), a longstanding flagship initiative co-organized by the Philippine Consulate General in New York and the Association of Fil-Am Teachers of America, Inc. (AFTA), concluded on 27 July 2025 with festive student performances that capped four Saturdays of Philippine studies, cultural immersion, and community-building among 64 Filipino-American youth who participated in this year’s program.
PSK students took the spotlight in the culminating program, presenting an engaging lineup of Filipino songs, dances, and poetry. They performed traditional folk dances such as Pasigin, Gaway-Gaway, Sayaw sa Bangko, and Binanog; musical numbers including Bawat Bata, Mamang Sorbetero, and Tiririt ng Maya; and a sabayang pagbigkas (choral recitation). Selected parents also participated in the program with a performance of the Sinulog dance.
In his remarks, Consul General Senen T. Mangalile underscored the vital role of PSK in cultivating cultural identity, community connection, and pride in heritage among Filipino-American youth. He welcomed the addition of Filipino and Baybayin classes for parents, describing it as a meaningful step toward fostering an inclusive and intergenerational learning environment. Calling on the students to always carry their Filipino roots with pride, he reminded them that “being Filipino is not just something written on a passport or carried in a name. It is reflected in how we treat others, how we honor our culture, and how we move through the world with dignity and compassion.”
PSK Principal Dara Valconcha, in closing, expressed pride in the program’s growth over the past 27 years and reaffirmed its continued relevance to Filipino-American youth and families. She commended the dedication of teacher and student volunteers, the Philippine Consulate, and AFTA for sustaining the program’s spirit of cultural education and partnership. “May we all remain steadfast in our mission to serve as ambassadors in our own ways,” she said, encouraging all to continue celebrating the rich diversity of Filipino heritage.
Prior to the culminating program, Consul General Mangalile hosted a luncheon for students, teachers and student volunteers, with Jollibee meals adding a familiar and distinctly Filipino flavor to the gathering. The AFTA Fil-Am Youth Stars provided a musical interlude during the luncheon, performing Filipino classics for the guests.
Held annually at the Philippine Center in New York, Paaralan sa Konsulado is a summer program that immerses Filipino-American youth aged 4 to 15 in the Filipino language, values, history, and cultural traditions. Through folk singing, traditional dance, arts and crafts, storytelling, and Pinoy games, the program offers a dynamic platform for students to explore and celebrate their Filipino identity. END
