CTFLC News & Blog

The Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) held its 15 Biennial Conference in Kona Kai Resort and Marina here in San Diego from July 31 to August 2, 2014, with the theme: “KAPWA: Moving Forward in Unity.” Registration started in the morning of Thursday followed by Opening Program that featured Dr. Leny Mendoza Strobel, Professor and Chair of American Multicultural Studies Department at Sonoma State University. She is also an author and a leading authority and advocate for the process of decolonization. The emcee was Marie Coronol, a News Reporter from KGTV. This was followed with Sessions 1 to 3 in the afternoon and the Authors’ Reception and Informal Gathering in the evening. Mr. Salvador Idos, Mrs. Rosalina Idos, Ms. Jacquilin Magat-Lapid and Ms. Rizalyn M. Cruz were CTFLC presenters in the afternoon session with the topic, “Impact of the Filipino Language Program of San Diego County.” They talked about how the Filipino Language Program became a huge force in bringing ...

Our very own CTFLC President, Mary Rose L. Peralta was among the 13 women leaders who were recognized as the California State Assembly’s 80th District Women of the Year 2014. The special presentation, as Woman of the Year in the field of Education, was given on 7th March at the Office of Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez. MRose, as we fondly call her, was born and raised in the Philippines. She received the “Outstanding Student” award during her high school graduation from St. Theresa’s College. She graduated “cum laude” from the University of the Philippines where she took up Comparative Literature with emphasis in European Literature. She immigrated to the United States in 1988 and soon earned two Master’s degrees in Curriculum and Instruction & Educational Administration from National University in San Diego, graduating “with Distinction”. She has since served many roles in the educational system including being a teacher since 1989; Assistant Principal at Montgomery High School,...

  CTFLC would like to share the poem, “Ang Bintana sa Ospital”, composed by Virginia Ferrer. ANG BINTANA SA OSPITAL (Adaptayson ni Virginia Ferrer) Sa ‘sang di-kalayuang ospital sa labas ng lungsod may dalawang lalaking pasyente duo’y nakabukod kapwa matanda’t mahina na kanilang mga tuhod kontento na silang dalawa at walang pagkabagot. Ang isa ay hinahayaan na maupo sa kama ng isang oras sa hapon para makapagpahinga at tuloy makaunat sa maghapong pagkakahiga para tumulo ang tubig na mula sa kanyang baga. Malapit ang kama niya sa nag-iisang bintana ng kanilang kuwartong di-mapagkakailang luma ang isang lalaki naman ay lagi lang nakahiga at hindi na nakakatayo at talagang malubha. Maraming napag-uusapan ang dalawang pasyente sa maghapong singkad mula umaga hanggang gabi tungkol sa asawa’t mga anak, masaya’t mabuti mayroon din namang malungkot na ayaw nang masabi. Napag-uusapan din nila kanilang kabataan ang kanilang trabaho, madestino kung saan-saan ang kanilang bakasyon, mga malilig...

“Learning to speak another’s language  means taking one’s place in the human community. It means reaching out to others across cultural and linguistic boundaries. Language is far more than a system to be explained. It is our most important link to the world around us. Language is culture in motion. It is people interacting with people.” - Sandra Savignon *** “We want to raise our children so that they can take the sense of pleasure in both their own heritage and the diversity of others.” – Mister Rogers Most people learn foreign languages out of necessity, be it a job requirement or a compulsory language in college. What they consider is the commercial aspect of learning languages. However, the biggest incentive to pick up a language lies in its human aspect, for we are highly developed beings with a sense of curiosity and belonging. Below are some reasons what learning a foreign language can bring. Bolstering career opportunities.  This is perhaps the most popular reason for ...

Adora Lily Svitak, an American child prodigy and internationally published author , in her book Flying Fingers states that “Any good teacher knows how important it is to connect with students and understand our culture.” This is what happened on May 17, 2014 at Roger Egger Park, Coronado, San Diego.  The Philippine Faire 2014, dubbed as the Festival of Festivals, sponsored by the Council of Pilipino American Organizations (COPAO) headed by its President Dr. Reynaldo Monzon and the Council for Teaching Filipino Language and Culture (CTFLC) headed by Ms. Mary Rose Peralta open a portal for teachers as well as school administrators to build a bridge for students to understand and enjoy Filipino culture. At 8:00 a.m. students, with their respective teachers converge at the park in order to start a short parade where they display and make a brief presentation/performance of different festivals in their colorful costumes. Below is the complete program for the day. Program Parade of Schools ...

  On Monday, January 13, 2014, at 6:00 p.m., the Council for Teaching Filipino Language and Culture (CTFLC) and University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) of San Diego, proudly presented a mini-concert S’aliw Himig Isang Lakbay Taglamig 2014 at the Chula Vista High School (CVHS) Performing Arts Center.     The U.P. Concert, which is the official choir of the University of the Philippines, impressed the Filipinos as well as the American community with its vibrant songs and lively choreography. They entertained the audience with a variety of songs: Part I – Philippine Classics/Popular/Patriotic, and Part II – Broadway/Film/Philippine Pop. Prof. Janet Sabas-Aracama, lovingly known as Jai, conducted this mini-concert and she was also one of the vocals in this entertaining event.   In the beginning of the concert, the “Main Attraction” Chula Vista High School Show Choir, one of the most award winning show choirs, performed, with their rendition of “Welco...

  Kling! Kling! Klang! Klang!    Pasko na Naman!   O kay Tulin ng Araw….!   Before the Christmas celebration, we gathered together for the year-end 2013 CTFLC meeting. The membership focused on the University of the Philippines Concert Chorus (UPCC) fund-raising activity with the University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA) of San Diego, which will be held on January 13, 2014 at the Chula Vista High School Performing Arts Center.   Afterwards, CTFLC President, Mary Rose Peralta presented a Plaque of Recognition and Appreciation to Dr. Cristeta Dumaran (Founding President) and Mrs. Rosalina Idos (Immediate Past President) “for their steadfast efforts and continued commitment shown for the initiatives, growth, promotion, development and success of CTFLC and the Filipino Language and Culture programs in San Diego under their able leadership and for their invaluable contribution in the field of teaching and education.” For our honorees’ responses, th...