The Eskwela Natin Story

PERRYSCOPE
Perry Diaz

Sometime in May of this year, 2013, Dolores and Perry Diaz called a meeting to discuss the formation of Eskwela Natin.  They had been thinking about doing this since their first grandchild was born eight years ago.  Four more grandchildren were added to their family over the years. 

They thought that it might be a good idea for their grandchildren – and other Filipino-American children, too – to learn about the culture of the Filipino people and to re-connect to our heritage.

Indeed, re-connecting to our Filipino heritage is a worthy cause and deserves our attention and acceptance. There are a lot more Filipino-American children who need to be taught about the rich and diverse Filipino culture, ensuring the unique traditions of the Philippines are passed on to the next generation in a safe and fun environment.

Dolores searched the Internet to look for an existing Filipino school so she could get some ideas and not start from scratch.  She couldn't find any to model it after.

So Dolores and Perry decided to go ahead with their own ideas on how to form a Filipino school.  They came up with the number of sessions, how long a session and favorite topics to teach the children.  It included language, history, geography, culture, tradition, arts, music, cuisine and sports.

Andrea Diaz-Vaughn, designed the website, and all the communication material including the logo, which is now copyrighted and a registered trademark.  She also designed the letterhead, flyers, pamphlets stating our mission statement, goals and vision, all of which are in the Eskwela Natin Facebook account.

The corporation papers were filed with the California Secretary of State on August 8, 2013.  Its non-profit status 501 (c)(3) is pending.

They then invited all the community leaders to share their ideas with them and to propose organizing a Filipino school.  Not all attended but those who attended were enthusiastic about the notion of forming a Filipino school, which the group decided to call, “Eskwela Natin.” 

The group formalized Eskwela Natin on their second meeting and elected the Officers and Members of the Board of Directors. 

The 16-member Board of Directors, which includes all the Officers as ex-officio members, consists of the following: President, Dolores V. Diaz; Vice President, Ester Carrasco; Secretary, Gladys Carrasco; Treasurer, Josie T. Canlas; Community Liaison Officers, Lilia Rivera and CelsaTaraya; Public Relations Officer; Perry Diaz; Curriculum Development Chairperson, Evangeline R. Hinnenkamp; and Board Members, Sonny Alforque, Beep Alo, Joe Carrasco, Andrea Diaz-Vaughn, Didi Loteyro, Josie Patria, Ernie Santos, and Ramon Taraya.

Although EskwelaNatin relies on volunteers and the strong support of the various Filipino organizations in Sacramento, it is autonomous in nature.  However, the majority of the Officers and Members of the Board of Directors are leaders and members of local organizations.  This is what makes Eskwela Natin unique and formidable as the first Filipino school in the United States.  

It has the full support not only of the leaders but more so the support of their members as manifested in the composition of the Board of Directors, which consists of leaders and members belonging to the following organizations: Maharlika Lions Club, Filipino Community of Sacramento and Vicinity (FCSV), University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Sacramento and Vicinities (UPAASV), SinagTala, Filipino Women’s Club, Pacific Rim Heritage Foundation, Filipino Fiesta of Sacramento, Sampaguita Toastmasters Club, and Bayanihan of Sacramento USA. 

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The teachers are EskwelaNatin’s most valuable asset and resource.  They volunteered all the time and effort to make the school successful.  They have full time teaching careers but still committed to making the lesson plans, handouts, homework and logistics of running a school.  Dolores wrote the lesson plan for the first session which included teaching some Filipino words, introducing and coloring the flag and map, tourist spots and even had a Santacruzan procession with all the props of the sagalas and flowered arches.

The teachers are the following: Evangeline R. Hinnenkamp (head teacher), Lilibeth Brewer, Anna R. Mestidio, and Blanche D. Unciano.  Two student assistants helped them throughout the program. They are: Myra Garcia and AnelaOlivera.

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The grand opening of EskwelaNatin was held on May 19, 2013.  Philippine Consul General Marciano A. Paynor Jr. was the keynote speaker.  He cut the ceremonial ribbon assisted by Appointments Secretary Mona Pasquil of the Governor’s Office, former Mayor Ruth Asmundson of the City of Davis, and retired Ambassador George Aducayen Jr.  A reception followed the program. The first session followed thereafter.   

Forty-one Filipino-American youth enrolled in the program.  Sessions 1 to 9 covered all the aspects of Filipino culture including language, history, geography, culture, tradition, arts, music, cuisine, and sports.   The last 15 minutes of each two-hour session was devoted to cooking lessons.  Eskwela Natin Vice President Ester Carrasco, a professional Filipino cuisine caterer, conducted live cooking demonstration of Filipino dishes like adobo, tinolang manok, sinigang, and other popular Filipino dishes.

Their arts projects included creative design of Ati-Atihan masks and decorating jeepney models.  They were also taught folk dancing.  The girls were taught Itik-Itik and the boys were taught Sakuting. One of their final assignments was to list 50 to 100 Filipino words.  Amazingly, they passed the test with colors!

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On September 22, 2013, the first graduates of Eskwela Natin, 36 in all, received their certificates of achievement.  Robert Abelon of Assemblyman Richard Pan’s office gave special certificates of achievement to the graduates as well. 

Consul Reginald S. Bernabe of the San Francisco Philippine Consulate was the keynote speaker and numerous leaders and majority of local Filipino organizations were present to witness this historic event.  

Performances by local talents included the following: the Maharlika Lions’ singing of the Star-Spangled Banner and the Philippine National Anthem, “Bayang Magiliw” (Beloved Country); Rollie Mamauag’s rendition of the patriotic song, “Bayan Ko” (My Country); the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Sacramento and Vicinities choral group sang, “Ang Dalagang Filipina” and “Halina”; and Remy Solomon’s rendition of the popular hit, “Ako Ay Pilipino” (I am Filipino).

The graduates’ performance included singing of the popular folk song, “Bahay Kubo.”  It brought down the house!  Then the older students recited a poem (tula), “Sa Aking Kababata” (In My Youth) by Dr. Jose P. Rizal, our national hero.  The program climaxed with the graduates dancing the folk dances they learned in class: Itik-Itik and Sakuting. 

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In her welcome remarks during the graduation ceremonies, Dolores announced that future plans include a winter program for high school Filipino-American students, gathering books about the Philippines to be part of a library, and developing a summer program for next year.

“We have an overwhelming mission to fulfill and a legacy to bequeath,” said Dolores. “We’ve only just begun and the rest is also up to us.  Join us at EskwelaNatin as we endeavor to re-connect, preserve, and perpetuate our Filipino heritage.”

Eskwela Natin hopes to attract more Filipino-American youth who want to know about their culture and by doing so would develop strong affinity to the Philippines.  

It is interesting to note that during the visit of then Philippine President Cory Aquino to San Francisco in 1987, she told thousands of Filipino-Americans who attended the banquet dinner honoring her: “You may take Filipinos away from the Philippines but you cannot take away the Philippines from Filipinos.” 

EskwelaNatin would perpetuate that mantra by re-connecting the Filipino-American youth with the Philippines. (PerryDiaz@gmail.com)