Language, cultural enrichment course for Filipino children in Brunei

Posted date: March 10, 2013 In: National

| Tony Alabastro |

THE 10-day Philippine Embassy Filipino Language and Cultural Enrichment programme for children opens tomorrow, March 11, with a flag hoisting ceremony at its Chancery at the Diplomatic Enclave in Bandar Seri Begawan.

Cultural songs and native dances are the theme for this 9th edition of the programme conducted by volunteer teachers and offered since 2008 during the school holidays to Filipino children born and raised in Brunei, said programme coordinator Bernadette Respicio.

The songs include the Philippines national anthem, Lupang Hinirang; folk songs Bahay Kubo (My Npa Hut); Itik Itik (Dance of the Duck); Leron Leron Sinta (My Darling Leron); Magtanim ay Di Biro (Planting Rice); Sa Libis ng Nayon (On the Outskirts of Town); Pakitong-Kitong; and patriotic songs like Ang Bayan Ko (My Country, the Philippines); Ako ay Pilipino (I am a Filipino) and Pilipinas Kong Mahal (My Beloved Philippines), said cultural coordinator Rowena Hautea.

Graduates of the August 2012 Filipino language and cultural enrichment course and volunteer teachers in a group photo at the Philippine Embassy lobby. – PHILIPPINE EMBASSY

Folk dance steps and dances will be taught like like Itik-Itik, the improvised, choppy steps of the duck as it walks; Maglalatik, the knocking dance of the coconut shells; carinosa, a Spanish-inspired dance using fans and handkerchiefs by dancers wearing Maria Clara and Barong Tagalog clothes; and Tiklos, the Waray (Leyte) equivalent of the Tagalog bayanihan or gotong royong, where groups of people work for somebody without hoping for anything in return. Bayanihan or voluntary help is exemplified by the use of bamboo poles to make a frame to lift a whole nipa hut and help a Filipino family move it to a new place.

A total of 17 volunteer teachers in the beginners, juniors, seniors and musical arrangement classes will be conducting the classes from 8am to 12 noon, Monday to Saturday classes, which includes a field trip and a graduation ceremony.

For details, contact Ms Eleanor B Belgica, Cultural and Information Officer, or Ms Ernestine H Rili, Attaché and Secretary to the Philippine Ambassador, at 2238845 or 2241465/2241466 or email brunei.pe@dfa.gov.ph or bruneipe@gmail.com.