Filipino kids in Laos “Saranggola ni Pepe” activity at PH Embassy’s Sentro Rizal

Mr. Giovanni S. Villafuerte (center) with the Filipino community children and their parents and guardians pose for a photo after flying their hand-made kites at the Philippine Embassy on 15 March 2014.

The Philippine Embassy in Vientiane, in cooperation  with the Filipino community in Laos, organized a half day  kite-making activity  for kids on March 15 as part of its year-long Sentro Rizal activities.

Adopting the title “Saranggola ni Pepe,” the activity started off with  by Mr. Giovanni S. Villafuerte, a Filipino volunteer in one of the Laos-based non-profit associations narrating  an episode in the life of Jose Rizal , whose nickname was “Pepe,” particularly on how he has managed to recover a lost kite while playing as a child. Video slides were shown as part of the story-telling by Mr. Villafuerte.

Filipino community children enjoy an afternoon of “Saranggola ni Pepe” activity.

Mr. Villafuerte then guided the Filipino children in kite-making.  Materials such as bamboo sticks, old newspapers, strings, Japanese paper, paste and plastic straws were made available to the kids.  The children literally took to the floor and started fashioning out their own kites with their distinct  colors, shapes and other designs, with  the music of Celeste Legaspi’s “Saranggola ni Pepe” played in the background.

The activity ended with a flying of their hand-made kites, which the kids thoroughly enjoyed, with  their parents or guardians, as well as Embassy staff, assisting them.

The event was capped with a warm bowl of guinataang kamote at saging that was savored by all.

Press release and photos courtesy of the Department of Foreign Affairs. 03 April 2014