21 September 2021, Calgary – The Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Calgary and the Philippine Community Culture Foundation (PCCF) were among the global participants of the recently held “Move with Malong: An Online Cultural Workshop” conducted by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs’ Office of Public and Cultural Diplomacy.

Gathering at the PCCF Cultural Center in Calgary on the night of 10 September 2021, ten members of the PCCF and scholars of the PCCF Sinag Kultura Performing Arts joined the online workshop that taught them how to perform the Kappa Malong Malong dance of the Maranao people of Mindanao. 

The participants used the ten pieces of malong, a simple tubular yet highly functional piece of cloth, that the PCG gave to PCCF for the activity.

The “Move with Malong” is a project of the DFA in observance of 2021 as the “Year of Filipino Pre-Colonial Ancestors.”  It aims to raise awareness of the richness of Philippine pre-colonial history.

PCCF, a non-profit organization that was established in Calgary in 1996, offers a Performing Arts program where students learn various Filipino folk dances, music, and art. This program also teaches the students how to play Philippine musical instruments (e.g., rondalla).  In addition, the PCCF conducts a Filipino Language and Culture Education program.