Little Schoolhouse students a hit in Fil-American Carolina Christmas party fund raiser

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

Eskwelahang Munti students made quite an impression during a performance at the Christmas party fund raiser of the the Filipino-American Community at the Carolinas.

The 17 students first recited an original poem by Ron Beltran titled “Ang Eskwelahang Munti” before singing and dancing to the Filipino folk song classic

“Paru-parung Bukid (Butterfly Field)” about a Filipina maiden whose grace can be compared to a butterfly named ”Mariposa Bella”

The students were divided into two groups with students Hannah Hubbard, Ruby and Gracen Kearns and Gabriella Pinon playing girl butterflies and Giovannie and Giani Allen, Harrison Hubbard, James and Jacob Kocak and Zamir McKoy playing boy butterflies.

The parol or lantern boys were Rannie Barrientos, Mathew Dennis, Joel Holder, Yizmael Mckoy, Nathan Pinon, Roy J. Siplon and Marco Sloan.

Dr. Nini de Bautista thanked immediate past president Florami Lao Cuardero-Lee and 1st vice president Joannes Ave of the Fil-American Carolina Community (FACC) for giving the students a venue to showcase their talents to the community.

De Bautista also thanked the teachers headed by Gloria Grifenhagin, Dell Fallar and Guia Villapando and the other volunteers of the program for making the school a success.

“Eskwelahang Munti” or “Little Schoolhouse” started in a summer camp this year and became a full-fledged school that employs the Filipino language “Tagalog” as a medium of instruction.

The school is managed by the Filipino-American Spirit, Inc. which is committed to develop appreciation of the Filipino language and culture.

The FAS and the school were created by volunteers who believe in instilling understanding and appreciation among the Filipino American youths who grew up in Charlotte on all things Filipino.

“Eskwelahang Munti” integrated in its curriculum Filipino values, geography, history, arts and music, literature and Pinoy cuisine. It also included areas of concerns in the Philippines mixed with major subjects.

The school teaches Fil-Am children about conversational Tagalog and show the Philippines as a beautiful country rich in heritage and resources and its friendly, wise people.