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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL - CALGARY
Suite 100, 1001 1st St SE Calgary, AB, T2G 5G3

2nd Filipino Language & Culture Conference focuses on ways to effectively teach Filipino Language & Culture in Alberta & Saskatchewan

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Deputy Consul General Victorio M. Dimagiba, Jr. (center, back) flanked by the officers and some of the participants during the
2nd Filipino Language and Culture Conference in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, 13 October 2024. (Photo Courtesy of Filipino
Academic & Cultural Educators Society).
17 October 2024 – The 2nd Filipino Language and Culture Conference was held from October
11 to 13, 2024 in Edmonton, Alberta, gathering educators, cultural advocates, and community
leaders committed to promoting the Filipino language and heritage across the provinces of
Alberta and Saskatchewan.
The event, organized and conducted by the Philippine Consulate General in Calgary, in
partnership with the Filipino Academic & Cultural Educators Society (FACES) of Edmonton, and
the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), is aimed at fostering the teaching of
Filipino language and culture in the two provinces with the development of grade-level
appropriate curricula for use in the educational system of the region. The proposed curricula will
be based on the Philippine Department of Education’s MATATAG curriculum, tailored to fit within
the broader standards of education in Canada, and incorporating best practices in teaching the
Filipino language in a practical and modern setting.
Minister Randy Boissonault (2nd from right) interacting with the participants during the conference (Photo Courtesy of Filipino Academic & Cultural Educators Society).

Learners and teachers from all corners of Alberta and representatives from Saskatchewan took part in the three day conference which delved on the challenges faced by educators on how to teach the Filipino language and culture effectively in both the provincial school system, and in various heritage language institutions in Calgary, Edmonton, and Saskatoon.


The conference was graced by distinguished speakers such as Dr. Jayson Petras, Director of the Sentro ng Wikang Filipino of the University of the Philippines, and Hon. Randy Boissonnault, MP, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages representing the Federal government. The speakers discussed how art,

music, and online and digital methods can be utilised to enhance the learning experience of students and make them appreciate their Filipino heritage.


Deputy Consul General Victorio M. Dimagiba, Jr. (left), Ms. Grace Alarcon-Isla, President of Filipino Academic and Cultural Educators Society (center) receive books from Dr. Jayson Petras of the Sentro ng Wikang Filipino, University of the Philippines (Calgary PCG)


The three-day conference also afforded second and third generation Filipino students of the St. Oscar Romero High School of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada an opportunity to share their desire to learn more about their Filipino culture and language. 

Dr. Jayson Petras interacting with one of the speakers on how to play the Rondalla (Calgary PCG)

Filipino-Canadian High School students taking part in the interaction session on the first day of the Conference (Photo Courtesy of Filipino Academic & Cultural Educators Society).


The conference ended with a call to action from the participants to devise a comprehensive Filipino language curriculum for all grade levels that can be used in the education system of Alberta and Saskatchewan, as well as agreeing to push for creative ways to teach the Filipino language alongside culture, in the various heritage schools in Alberta and Saskatchewan.