14 June 2023, Stockholm – The Philippine Embassy in Stockholm, in partnership with the Philippine Education Society (PES), held a graduation ceremony on 10 June 2023 at the Chancery to culminate the “Silid-Aralan sa Embahada 2023” which ran from March to May 2023.

Filipino-Swedish students ages 4 to 14 years old successfully completed the modules of this program which consists of Philippine history and geography, values education, folk dance, Filipino cuisine, Filipino games and festivals, and national language and literature.

Prior to receiving their certificates of completion, the students performed dances to the tune of “Kamusta”, “Magtanim ay di Biro”, and “Leron-Leron Sinta”. Ms. Valerie Ghimessy, violin-soloist, also rendered her interpretation of “Bayan Ko”.

During her remarks, H.E. Ambassador Maria Lumen B. Isleta expressed the hope that students continue to embody the Filipino values taught during the three-month program and that their interest in exploring their rich Filipino heritage and culture remains unwavering. A total of fifteen (15) students completed the three-month course, their ages ranging from 4 to 14 years old.

Ambassador Isleta also issued Certificates of Appreciation to and acknowledged the leadership of Mr. Noli Buhay, PES President, and volunteer teachers, Ms. Rofellita Larsson and Ms. Elrica Uy.

Filipino community leaders also took part in the program. Ms. Ditas Enström, President of the Euro-Asian Dance Group, led the class on learning about folk dance while Ms. Aya Sunga-Askert, President of the Filipino Artists’ Association in Sweden (FAAS), took part in reading a Filipino folk tale.

Silid-Aralan sa Embahada 2023 is a flagship / pilot project of the Philippine Embassy in Stockholm in partnership with the Philippine Education Society (PES). PES is a non-profit, non-political, and non-religious organization that aims to promote college and vocational education for needy and deserving Filipinos. Additionally, the organization also supports newly-arrived Filipinos who are now residents, working or studying, in Sweden. Membership to the PES is open to all qualified Filipinos, Swedes, and other nationals with links to the Philippines. END.