Philippine Consulate General in New York Launches 28th Year of Paaralan sa Konsulado

Flag Ceremony
PSK 2026 learners sing Lupang Hinirang to open the day's session. (Photo by Joselito Aguinaldo)

NEW YORK CITY – 11 July 2026 — The Philippine Consulate General in New York successfully launched the 28th annual season of Paaralan sa Konsulado (PSK) today at the Philippine Center. The vibrant opening day marked the beginning of a four-part Saturday cultural immersion program designed to connect Filipino-American youth, aged 4 to 17, with their rich heritage, language, and history.

Remarks from AFTA President Rena Pedaria (Left) and Consul Anna Guerra (Center), who emphasized the importance of cultural education for Filipino-American youth. PSK Principal Teacher Dara Valconcha (Right) then introduced the program's teachers and support staff. (Photos by Ruth Galiza)

The program commenced with an opening ceremony featuring remarks from Association of Filipino Teachers in America (AFTA) President Rena Pedaria and Consul Anna Guerra. Both speakers emphasized the vital role of cultural education in shaping the identity of the next generation of Filipino-Americans. Teacher Dara Valconcha, PSK Principal, introduced the teachers and support staff for the duration of the program.

Ms. Ruth Tumpalan, renowned violinist and former Assistant Concertmaster of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, shared her inspiring journey in a plenary session. (Photo by Yousef Cali)

A highlight of the first day was the plenary session led by renowned violinist Ms. Ruth Tumpalan. The former Assistant Concertmaster of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra captivated the audience by sharing her personal journey toward musical excellence — a path that has taken her from performing for the President of the Philippines to the stages of the White House and global concert halls. Her highly interactive presentation left a profound impression on the young attendees, demonstrating the power of discipline and passion.

Students participated in age-appropriate classes featuring Philippine legends, arts and crafts, folk and pop songs, folk dances, Dr. Jose Rizal, and Philippine geography and historical sites. (Photos by Marietta Lacsamana)

Aside from the plenary, students broke out into age-appropriate, specialized classrooms tailored to maximize engagement and learning. The youngest group, ages 5 to 7, participated in Puppetry and Alamat (Legends), Arts and Crafts, and Folk and Pop Songs. The middle group, ages 8 to 10, engaged in Folk and Pop Songs, Folk Dances, and a specialized Dr. Jose Rizal Class. Meanwhile, the oldest group of students aged 11 and up explored Folk Dances along with Philippine Geography and Historical Sites.

 

The classroom sessions reflected a highly collaborative community effort. Dedicated volunteer educators from AFTA led the classroom instruction. The Dr. Jose Rizal Class was further enriched by a specialized educational module recommended by the Order of the Knights of Rizal Long Island Chapter.

Ms. Ruth Tumpalan (center) in a group photo at Kalayaan Hall, Philippine Center with Consul Anna Guerra (far left) with the PSK learners, AFTA teachers, and AFTA volunteer teachers after the plenary session during the first day of the Paaralan sa Konsulado 2026. (Photo by Maria Annette F. Aquino-Herrera)

The 2026 edition of Paaralan sa Konsulado will continue over the next three consecutive Saturdays: July 18, July 25, and August 1. Future sessions will expand the curriculum to include subjects like Filipino Heroes and Kwentong Pambata (Children’s Stories). Upcoming plenary sessions will also feature accomplished Filipino-Americans who excel in the fields of Technology, Finance, and the Culinary Arts, offering the students diverse real-world inspirations. END