{"id":22258,"date":"2025-07-08T09:36:59","date_gmt":"2025-07-08T13:36:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newyorkpcg.org\/pcgny\/?p=22258"},"modified":"2025-07-08T09:42:31","modified_gmt":"2025-07-08T13:42:31","slug":"paaralan-sa-konsulado-opens-for-27th-year-continues-to-reconnect-young-generations-with-their-filipino-roots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newyorkpcg.org\/pcgny\/2025\/07\/08\/paaralan-sa-konsulado-opens-for-27th-year-continues-to-reconnect-young-generations-with-their-filipino-roots\/","title":{"rendered":"Paaralan Sa Konsulado Opens for 27th Year, Continues to Reconnect Young Generations with their Filipino Roots"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Paaralan Sa Konsulado Opens for 27th Year, Continues to Reconnect Young Generations with their Filipino Roots<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Breakout classroom sessions at Paaralan sa Konsulado featured lessons on Dr. Jose Rizal, Philippine geography, folk and pop songs, arts and crafts, and traditional dances, among others. (Photos by Nikka Arenal)<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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NEW YORK CITY, 07 July 2025<\/strong> \u2014 The Philippine Consulate General in New York and the Association of Fil-Am Teachers of America, Inc. (AFTA), formally opened the 27th<\/sup> Paaralan sa Konsulado<\/em> (PSK) on 5 July 2025 at the Philippine Center-New York. Held every Saturday of July, the month-long summer program brings together Filipino-American children aged 4 to 15 for immersive lessons in Filipino language, history, arts, values, and traditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

In his welcome message, Deputy Consul General Adrian Elmer S. Cruz, who is representing Consul General Senen T. Mangalile, described Paaralan sa Konsulado<\/em> as \u201ca safe space where children can build confidence, connect with peers, and meaningfully express themselves.\u201d He emphasized the importance of heritage learning as a foundation for identity, noting that this year\u2019s program also includes special sessions for Filipino-American parents who wish to refresh their conversational Filipino skills and learn the basics of Baybayin<\/em>, the pre-colonial Philippine script.<\/span><\/p>\n

AFTA President Rena O. Pedaria reaffirmed the organization\u2019s commitment to providing a curriculum that is rooted in Filipino values while responsive to the present. She acknowledged the vital role of long-time teacher-volunteers and program alumni who continue to shape the PSK experience for new generations of learners.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Deputy Consul General Adrian Elmer S. Cruz and AFTA President Rena O. Pedaria deliver remarks marking the start of the 27th Paaralan sa Konsulado. (Photos by Nikka Arenal)<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Day one of the program featured a vibrant mix of activities and interaction across different age groups. The students took part in introductory classes in Filipino history, folk dance, visual arts, and traditional songs.<\/span><\/p>\n

A highlight of the day was the plenary session delivered by award-winning Filipino-American comic book artist Andrew Drilon, who traced his journey from self-publishing in Manila to illustrating for DC Comics in New York. He encouraged students to embrace storytelling as a form of courage and cultural expression.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat story in your head, the one with the cool characters and wild ideas, don\u2019t keep it to yourself. Be brave enough to bring it into the world. No one else but you can tell it, and the world needs new stories to grow into a better one,<\/em>\u201d Drilon said.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Andrew Drilon speaks to Paaralan sa Konsulado students about storytelling, creativity, and finding one\u2019s voice through art. (Photo by Nikka Arenal)<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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The Paaralan sa Konsulado<\/em> will run through 26 July, culminating in a student-led showcase of songs, dances, and creative presentations. Now in its 27th<\/sup> year, the program remains the Philippine Consulate\u2019s cornerstone heritage education initiative, fostering cultural pride, community connection, and creative confidence among young Filipino-Americans. END<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Deputy Consul General Cruz, Mr. Andrew Drilon, students, teachers, and volunteers gather for a \u201cclass photo\u201d on Day 1 of Paaralan sa Konsulado. (Photo by Sherlyn Roxas)<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Paaralan Sa Konsulado Opens for 27th Year, Continues to Reconnect Young Generations with their Filipino Roots Breakout classroom sessions at Paaralan sa Konsulado featured lessons on Dr. Jose Rizal, Philippine […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[40,84,27],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nPaaralan Sa Konsulado Opens for 27th Year, Continues to Reconnect Young Generations with their Filipino Roots - Philippine Consulate General<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/newyorkpcg.org\/pcgny\/2025\/07\/08\/paaralan-sa-konsulado-opens-for-27th-year-continues-to-reconnect-young-generations-with-their-filipino-roots\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Paaralan Sa Konsulado Opens for 27th Year, Continues to Reconnect Young Generations with their Filipino Roots - 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