14 August 2020, Ottawa – The Embassy of the Philippines in Canada recently launched its ABAKADA Atbp. Book Giveaway for Filipino-Canadian children as part of its commemoration of August as Buwan ng Wika (National Language Month). Beloved Filipino legends and children’s stories written in English and Filipino, published by Adarna House, were mailed to participating children this month as part of this Embassy’s Online ABAKADA Atbp. program.

According to Philippine Ambassador to Canada Petronila P. Garcia, ABAKADA was originally conceptualized as a summer workshop for children of Filipino heritage. Now on its eight year, the program teaches Filipino language, songs, games, dances, cuisine, and stories. “This year, we are unable to host the children for our annual summer workshop for health and safety reasons, but we would like to bring the stories of our Filipino culture straight to their homes,” said Ambassador Garcia. “We hope this will be an opportunity for Filipino parents to share the stories that have been passed down through generations and, at the same time, introduce the Filipino language to their children.”

The Book Giveaway program will continue for the month of August. Filipino-Canadian families that wish to participate may sign up for ABAKADA Mail at https://forms.gle/8uFvBiwFarkSvzbb6. END.