August 18, 2024, Seoul. - The Philippine Embassy in Seoul proudly unveiled the 2024 edition of "Eskwelahan sa Embahada," a cultural and educational initiative that seeks to promote Filipino heritage and foster multicultural understanding among Filipino-Korean families in South Korea. The program, running throughout August, is a flagship activity that coincides with the celebration of Buwan ng Wika and the commemoration of 75 years of Philippines-Korea diplomatic relations.

In her opening remarks for the 2024 Eskwelahan edition, Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega emphasized the significance of the program and said that the initiative, which is designed to provide multicultural children with a deeper understanding and appreciation of their Filipino heritage, is crucial in creating an ecosystem of empowerment for Filipino marriage migrants and their children, as well as a supportive environment where they can explore and embrace their cultural identity, while also fostering integration and cultural exchange within the broader South Korean community.

The series of events kicked off on August 4, 2024, with "Pagkaing Pilipino," a cooking demonstration held at Sentro Rizal Hall. Led by the instructor Ms. Cathy Israel, participants learned to prepare iconic Filipino dishes such as Adobong Matua, Pancit Canton, and Halo-Halo. The event brought together at least 18 families in person, while 12 more families from Gwangju participated online, who all received cooking kits and equipment.

On August 10, 2024, the program continued with "Kulturang Pilipino," a cultural collaboration with the Philippines National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Gyeonggi Children's Museum. The participants were given by the Museum a special tour of their DMZ Flora and Fauna exhibition, where they learned about the historical ties between the Philippines and South Korea, particularly during the Korean War.

The participants also visited the Philippine cultural exhibit mounted by the Embassy which included interactive displays of the kulintang (a traditional Filipino musical instrument), kadang-kadang (a Filipino traditional game), and traditional clothing such as the Baro't Saya and Barong Tagalog, among others. Later, they participated in a Maskara (Mask) Making activity inspired by the Philippines Masskara Festival of Bacolod at the museum's Eco Atelier, led by culture enthusiast, Filipino graduate student, and influencer, Ms. Rina Marquez, and witnessed the ceremonial turnover of the Embassy's donation of traditional Filipino children's clothing to enrich the museum's cultural exhibits.

Another key feature of the day was the theatrical performance by Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas, which captivated over 200 attendees with presentations of beloved children's stories, including "Ang Buwan at ang Diyosa ng mga Bituin" (The Moon and the Star Goddess), "The Origin of the Sun and the Moon," and "The Trial Among Animals." This was followed by a puppet-making workshop led by Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas on August 11, 2024 at the Sentro Rizal, where children explored their talents in creative puppet design and storytelling.

The month-long celebration wrapped up with a vibrant Palarong Pinoy and Family Day event on August 18, 2024, held at Wolcheon Park, Gwangju Metropolitan City. Conducted in cooperation with the Gwangju Metropolitan City and Gwangju International Residents' Center, the lively event featured traditional Filipino games such as Luksong Tinik and Patintero, along with board games like Sungka and Dama. An estimated 500 Overseas Filipinos and their multicultural families participated in the event, making it one of the largest gatherings of Overseas Filipinos in South Korea.

The event was further enlivened by a special appearance from WISHBUS South Korea, which featured performances by the K-POP group DREAMNOTE, as well as local Filipino talents JPS Band, Shela Saveron, and the BAGONG BAYANI OFW Band.

In addition to the cultural activities, the Embassy also offered a two-day consular and assistance-to-nationals (ATN), labor and OWWA outreach service and mobile overseas voter registration, in cooperation with the Gwangju Jeonnam Philippine Community and the Gwangju Filipino Catholic Community, in an effort to reach out to the increasing number of Overseas Filipino in Jeollanamdo Province.

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul expressed its gratitude to all the participants and community partners who contributed to the success of Eskwelahan sa Embahada 2024. This year's program not only strengthened the bonds within the Filipino community in South Korea but also played a vital role in promoting cultural pride and integration among multicultural families. For more information on future Embassy activities, please visit its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PHinKorea. END