15 August 2016 – The Philippine Embassy in Ottawa opened its doors to children and parents of Filipino heritage on 14 August 2016 for ABAKADA Atbp., an annual cultural outreach program affording the community’s youngest members an opportunity to appreciate their cultural roots by way of language, dances, songs, stories, games, and food.

Over 30 Filipino-Canadian children plus their parents participated in the fifth edition of ABAKADA Atbp. which offered a parent-child literacy workshop for the first time since the program was launched in 2012.

Benefits of Learning Two Languages

 Teacher Jill Alvarez, a Toronto-based Registered Early Childhood Educator and Early Literacy Specialist, cast a new light on language development from age 0 to 6 and the advantages of raising bilingual or multilingual children.  She introduced techniques for language acquisition involving reading, playing and singing with the child.  Teacher Jill also walked the parents through the six stages of language development and debunked myths associated with learning a second language as a child.

“Children who learn two languages are likely to be more creative, better at reading, writing, multitasking, and problem solving.  They would develop sharper memories, have the chance to make more friends and find better jobs later in life.  Teaching children their home language is the best gift only parents can give,” Teacher Jill explained.

At iba pa

All participants were treated to a boodle fight for lunch hosted by Ambassador Petronila P. Garcia, following which they learned from Cultural Attaché Teresa Benitez-Bragais the lively Filipino song called Kung Ikaw ay Masaya.  Vanessa Gomez of the Philippine Dance Troupe of Ottawa (PDTO) taught them the basic steps of Binasuan while the Embassy’s Miguel Luis Moreno led the children in playing Pitik-Bulag, Agawan Base and Luksong Tinik.

Storytelling with Lola Basyang

Ms. Maura David, acting as Lola Basyang, regaled the children with Ang Alamat ni Lukas Malakas (The Legend of Strong Lucas). Comprised of Embassy dependents, the cast rendered a riveting performance directed by Dr. Omega Garibay, spouse of Deputy Chief of Mission Uriel Norman Garibay.

“The Embassy is delighted to offer ABAKADA Atbp. every year as an interactive activity that assists parents in introducing their children to the endearing aspects of their Filipino heritage. From the lens of songs, dances, stories, food and games, we hope that our basic lessons impress ABAKADA participants deep enough to move them to further explore their parents’ native culture and subsequently instil a sense of pride in their Filipino identity,” Ambassador Garcia remarked.  END