YOUNG FIL-AMS ENJOY FILIPINO FOOD & GAMES, LEARN PH HISTORY & DESTINATIONS AT PH CONSULATE VISIT OF UPAASF SUMMER CAMP
The participants and facilitators of the 11th UPAASF Cultural Immersion Summer Camp gather for a photo upon the conclusion of their field trip to the Philippine Center in San Francisco on 24 July 2024. (San Francisco PCG photo)
SAN FRANCISCO, USA – The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco on 24 July 2024 welcomed 37 young Filipino Americans, aged 7 to 12 years, who are taking part in the 11th Cultural Immersion Summer Camp of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of San Francisco (UPAASF).
Consul and Acting Head of Post Jed Llona led Consulate officials in welcoming the summer campers at the Philippine Center in San Francisco.
“We prepared a lot of fun-filled activities and games that will make everyone, both the young ones and the young at heart, experience what it is like to grow up in the Philippines,” Consul Llona said.
The Consulate thanked the UPAASF for spearheading the Summer Camp for the last 11 years.
“I thank the UPAASF for its efforts in cultivating love and pride for our homeland, the Philippines, among younger Filipino Americans. The Consulate looks forward to a sustained partnership with the UPAASF in the years to come,” Consul Llona said.
“As we build a New Philippines or Bagong Pilipinas for our children and grandchildren, let us continue to honor our heroes and ancestors by promoting and preserving our cherished values and traditions as a people, for future generations of Filipinos and Filipino Americans,” Consul Llona concluded.
For her part, UPAASF President Chato Calderon expressed her gratitude to the Consulate for its longstanding partnership organizing the annual Summer Camp.
The Consulate, the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) Office in San Francisco, and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Silicon Valley curated a one-of-a-kind Philippine cultural experience for the summer campers, setting up thematic stations that feature Philippine history, tourism spots, food and products, and games.
At the Sentro Rizal station, the Consulate gave a presentation on Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, and played an animated film by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines depicting Rizal’s life story.
At the tourism station, the DOT Office crafted a jigsaw puzzle game featuring some of the Philippines’ prime tourist spots and must-try Filipino food and delicacies.
At the “Aling Conching Sari-sari Store,” the PTIC conducted a hands-on halo-halo demonstration, letting the participants mix the ingredients of the popular Filipino dessert. The PTIC also showcased and raffled Philippine-made food snacks.
At the games station, the Consulate, the DOT Office, and the PTIC served as game masters for Filipino children’s games tumbang preso, piko (hopscotch), and yoyo where all participants received a free yoyo from the PTIC. Selected participants were also given the chance to win more freebies through a pabitin.
The immersive experience sparked the participants’ interest in the Filipino way of life, as well as their desire to visit and explore the Philippines.
After a post-activity discussion, the Consulate treated the summer campers and their guardians to lunch consisting of Chickenjoy and Jolly Spaghetti from Jollibee, recently named by USA Today’s 10Best Readers Choice as America’s no. 1 quick-service restaurant for fried chicken. The DOT Office also handed out “Love the Philippines” tote bags to the participants.
Since the program’s inception in 2013, the Consulate has been a partner in the conduct of the UPAASF Summer Camp, which allows second- and third-generation Filipino Americans to broaden their knowledge and deepen their understanding about their parents’ country of birth. The Consulate’s support to the Summer Camp is in line with its cultural promotion and diplomacy program. END
Consul and Acting Head of Post Jed Llona welcomes the participants of the UPAASF Cultural Immersion Summer Camp during their field trip to the Philippine Center in San Francisco on 24 July 2024. (San Francisco PCG photo)
UPAASF President Chato Calderon delivers her remarks during the field trip of the UPAASF Cultural Immersion Summer Camp at the Philippine Center in San Francisco on 24 July 2024. (San Francisco PCG photo)
At the Sentro Rizal station, the summer campers listen to Vice Consul Adrian Baccay deliver a presentation on Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal. (San Francisco PCG photo)
At the tourism station, the summer campers solve jigsaw puzzles featuring some of the Philippines’ prime tourist spots and must-try Filipino food and delicacies. (San Francisco PCG photo)
At the “Aling Conching Sari-sari Store,” the summer campers make their own halo-halo, and play a raffle to win Philippine-made food snacks. (San Francisco PCG photos)
At the games station, summer campers learn to play the popular Filipino children’s games tumbang preso, piko, and yoyo. (San Francisco PCG photos)
Selected summer campers win more freebies through a pabitin game. (San Francisco PCG photo)
Consulate and UPAASF officers with some of the parents and guardians of the summer campers. In the photo are: (Standing, in no particular order) Consul and Acting Head of Post Jed Llona, Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil, Vice Consul Adrian Baccay, Tourism Director Soleil Tropicales, Trade and Investment Assistants Rosalie Say and Mylene Juan, UPAASF President Chato Calderon, UPAASF Board Vice Chair Simeon Godinez, UPAASF Board Member Mae Perez, and Summer Camp Director Tanya Cruz Duldulao; (Seated, in no particular order) Tourism Assistant Stephanie Hermoso, UPAASF Board Chair Eric Golangco, and Summer Camp Director Venazir Martinez. (San Francisco PCG photo)