By Jake Eduardo Vermaas (more here)
"He who does not know how to look back at where he came from will never get to his destination”, wrote the famous poet, physician, and national hero of the Philippines, Jose Rizal. In the quiet corridors of a high school in Hawai'i, a group of students gathered in anticipation. For many, it was a day unlike any other—an opportunity to delve into the richness of their Filipino heritage through the "Pamana ng Lahi: Philippine Language and Culture Workshop." The initiative, spearheaded by the University of Hawai'i' at Manoa’s Center for Philippine Studies (CPS) and supported by the Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS), represents more than just an educational program. It is a cultural reclamation, a bridge to the past, and a beacon of identity for Filipino youth across the United States.
The Genesis of Pamana ng Lahi
Pamana is the Filipino word for heritage; lahi means race or people. According to Arboleda, “Pamana ng lahi speaks of the things that our ancestors bequeathed to us—their language, ancient knowledge, and cultural traditions.” The seeds of Pamana ng Lahi were sown in the fall of 2018, when Dr. Pia Arboleda, professor of Filipino language and culture, envisioned a project that could connect Filipino-American youth with their roots. Working closely with co-facilitators Precious Arao and Lanail Manio, Dr. Arboleda developed a series of modules that combined language learning with cultural immersion. The project was piloted in the summer of 2019 at St. Louis High School in Hawai'i, offering a three-week, intensive course that introduced students to both the Filipino language (Tagalog) and various aspects of Philippine culture.
The original design of the program featured one week of intensive language study, followed by two weeks of integrated language and culture modules. However, based on feedback from the pilot program, the curriculum was restructured to provide a more balanced approach, with daily sessions split evenly between language and cultural studies. This revised format was first implemented in the summer of 2021, when the program was delivered online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Expanding Horizons: Pamana ng Lahi in High Schools
The success of the pilot and subsequent online workshops led to the expansion of Pamana ng Lahi into high schools across Hawai'i and the mainland United States. Since December 2022, the program has reached over 200 students across five high schools, including Maui High School, Maryknoll High School, Farrington High School, Waipahu High School, and Punahou School. Each workshop has been tailored to meet the specific needs of the students, with activities ranging from traditional Filipino cooking classes to discussions on folklore and mythology.
At Waipahu High School, where the program was held in October 2023, students were particularly enthusiastic about the opportunity to explore their cultural identity. "It's like discovering a part of myself that I didn't even know was missing," said one student after participating in a session on Philippine epics and folklore. The integration of language and culture has proven to be a powerful tool in fostering a sense of belonging and pride among Filipino youth, many of whom are second- or third-generation immigrants.
Teacher Training: Building a Community of Educators
Recognizing the need for a sustainable impact, the Center for Philippine Studies and the Center for Southeast Asian Studies also focused on training educators. In partnership with Southville International Schools and Colleges, two teacher training workshops were conducted in 2022. These workshops were designed to equip Filipino language teachers with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively teach Filipino as a foreign language. The first workshop, held in February 2022, attracted 110 educators from across the Southville system. The second workshop, held in August 2022, expanded the reach of the program to 194 participants from 25 schools across the Philippines, Hawai'i, and Michigan.
These workshops emphasized the importance of critical pedagogy and second language acquisition, offering educators practical strategies for teaching Filipino language and culture. The participants were introduced to the Pamana ng Lahi modules and encouraged to adapt them for their own classrooms. The response from educators was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing a renewed commitment to preserving and promoting Filipino heritage through education.
Reaching New Frontiers: Pamana ng Lahi in Guam
In the summer of 2023, Dr. Arboleda and Dr. Jayson Parba traveled to Guam to explore the possibility of extending the Pamana ng Lahi program to Filipino educators in the region. Their visit included meetings with the University of Guam, the Philippine consulate, and various community organizations. The reception was enthusiastic, with local educators expressing a strong interest in the program.
Plans are now underway to conduct a teacher training workshop in Guam in the fall of 2024. The workshop will follow a hybrid model, with online sessions leading up to an intensive two-day in-person workshop. The goal is to equip Filipino educators in Guam with the tools and resources needed to effectively teach Filipino language and culture to their students, many of whom are of Filipino descent.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Pamana ng Lahi
As the Pamana ng Lahi project enters its third year, the focus remains on expanding its reach and impact. The team is currently working on fine-tuning and finalizing the remaining modules, with a particular emphasis on incorporating new topics such as Ilonggo cuisine and mining in Cebu. These modules, like the ones before them, will be designed to provide students with a holistic understanding of Filipino culture, blending language learning with cultural exploration.
In addition to the ongoing high school workshops in Hawai'i, plans are also in place to conduct a series of workshops for teachers in Guam and other locations. The ultimate goal is to build a network of Filipino educators who are passionate about preserving and promoting their heritage, and who are equipped with the skills and resources needed to do so.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Heritage and Identity
The Pamana ng Lahi project is more than just an educational initiative; it is a celebration of Filipino heritage and a reaffirmation of identity for Filipino youth. Through its innovative approach to language and cultural education, the program has touched the lives of hundreds of students and educators, helping them to reconnect with their roots and to take pride in their heritage.
As the program continues to grow and evolve, its impact will undoubtedly be felt for generations to come. For the students who have participated in Pamana ng Lahi, the lessons learned go beyond the classroom—they are lessons of identity, heritage, and pride that will stay with them for a lifetime.
The Genesis of Pamana ng Lahi
Pamana is the Filipino word for heritage; lahi means race or people. According to Arboleda, “Pamana ng lahi speaks of the things that our ancestors bequeathed to us—their language, ancient knowledge, and cultural traditions.” The seeds of Pamana ng Lahi were sown in the fall of 2018, when Dr. Pia Arboleda, professor of Filipino language and culture, envisioned a project that could connect Filipino-American youth with their roots. Working closely with co-facilitators Precious Arao and Lanail Manio, Dr. Arboleda developed a series of modules that combined language learning with cultural immersion. The project was piloted in the summer of 2019 at St. Louis High School in Hawai'i, offering a three-week, intensive course that introduced students to both the Filipino language (Tagalog) and various aspects of Philippine culture.
The original design of the program featured one week of intensive language study, followed by two weeks of integrated language and culture modules. However, based on feedback from the pilot program, the curriculum was restructured to provide a more balanced approach, with daily sessions split evenly between language and cultural studies. This revised format was first implemented in the summer of 2021, when the program was delivered online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Expanding Horizons: Pamana ng Lahi in High Schools
The success of the pilot and subsequent online workshops led to the expansion of Pamana ng Lahi into high schools across Hawai'i and the mainland United States. Since December 2022, the program has reached over 200 students across five high schools, including Maui High School, Maryknoll High School, Farrington High School, Waipahu High School, and Punahou School. Each workshop has been tailored to meet the specific needs of the students, with activities ranging from traditional Filipino cooking classes to discussions on folklore and mythology.
At Waipahu High School, where the program was held in October 2023, students were particularly enthusiastic about the opportunity to explore their cultural identity. "It's like discovering a part of myself that I didn't even know was missing," said one student after participating in a session on Philippine epics and folklore. The integration of language and culture has proven to be a powerful tool in fostering a sense of belonging and pride among Filipino youth, many of whom are second- or third-generation immigrants.
Teacher Training: Building a Community of Educators
Recognizing the need for a sustainable impact, the Center for Philippine Studies and the Center for Southeast Asian Studies also focused on training educators. In partnership with Southville International Schools and Colleges, two teacher training workshops were conducted in 2022. These workshops were designed to equip Filipino language teachers with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively teach Filipino as a foreign language. The first workshop, held in February 2022, attracted 110 educators from across the Southville system. The second workshop, held in August 2022, expanded the reach of the program to 194 participants from 25 schools across the Philippines, Hawai'i, and Michigan.
These workshops emphasized the importance of critical pedagogy and second language acquisition, offering educators practical strategies for teaching Filipino language and culture. The participants were introduced to the Pamana ng Lahi modules and encouraged to adapt them for their own classrooms. The response from educators was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing a renewed commitment to preserving and promoting Filipino heritage through education.
Reaching New Frontiers: Pamana ng Lahi in Guam
In the summer of 2023, Dr. Arboleda and Dr. Jayson Parba traveled to Guam to explore the possibility of extending the Pamana ng Lahi program to Filipino educators in the region. Their visit included meetings with the University of Guam, the Philippine consulate, and various community organizations. The reception was enthusiastic, with local educators expressing a strong interest in the program.
Plans are now underway to conduct a teacher training workshop in Guam in the fall of 2024. The workshop will follow a hybrid model, with online sessions leading up to an intensive two-day in-person workshop. The goal is to equip Filipino educators in Guam with the tools and resources needed to effectively teach Filipino language and culture to their students, many of whom are of Filipino descent.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Pamana ng Lahi
As the Pamana ng Lahi project enters its third year, the focus remains on expanding its reach and impact. The team is currently working on fine-tuning and finalizing the remaining modules, with a particular emphasis on incorporating new topics such as Ilonggo cuisine and mining in Cebu. These modules, like the ones before them, will be designed to provide students with a holistic understanding of Filipino culture, blending language learning with cultural exploration.
In addition to the ongoing high school workshops in Hawai'i, plans are also in place to conduct a series of workshops for teachers in Guam and other locations. The ultimate goal is to build a network of Filipino educators who are passionate about preserving and promoting their heritage, and who are equipped with the skills and resources needed to do so.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Heritage and Identity
The Pamana ng Lahi project is more than just an educational initiative; it is a celebration of Filipino heritage and a reaffirmation of identity for Filipino youth. Through its innovative approach to language and cultural education, the program has touched the lives of hundreds of students and educators, helping them to reconnect with their roots and to take pride in their heritage.
As the program continues to grow and evolve, its impact will undoubtedly be felt for generations to come. For the students who have participated in Pamana ng Lahi, the lessons learned go beyond the classroom—they are lessons of identity, heritage, and pride that will stay with them for a lifetime.
