Kulturaserye coincides with Arts and Women’s Month, features facets of island life and heritage

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Odiongan, Romblon – A series of conversations on Filipino language and culture ensues during the Philippine National Arts Month. Dubbed as Kulturaserye, held in-person at the Pennsylvania Language Center as part of the Fullbright Philippines and Romblon State University foreign-language teaching assistant Gianinna Labicane from February 8 to March 15.

The diverse covered during the language and culture discussion was kickstarted with Katutubo as Dr. Borromeo Motin imparted his life’s work about indigenous culture in the Philippines. A valentine’s day discussion about “Ebolusyon ni Maria Clara” delves how to be essentially Filipina from the roots of identity to transformation and evolution of beauty standards across history. Next up is “Sapantaha” which is composed of a panel of Fullbright cultural ambassadors from different Philippine Universities on insights of stereotype about Pinoy culture while challenging it otherwise. Then by February 21 earmarks for LGBT+ community aptly called “Bahaghari” reflecting on the progress towards inclusivity, focuses on experiences and realities by the LGBT community in the country.

Moreover, on women month the Kulturaserye shift gears with “Binhi” involves the plight of the hungry Filipino farmer, paying homage to the contribution to food security and underscoring social justice on March 1. Then the language and culture exchange rounds up with “Marinduque” which corresponds to the geodetic center and heart of the Philippine archipelago. The last of the series features a myriad of topics like history, religion, socio-political aspects and aesthetics with a special focus on Moryonan Lenten rites.

Based on the Fullbright Philippines website, the Foreign Language teaching assistant program is funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the US Department of State, it provides full scholarship program for early career (not more than seven years of teaching) English-language teachers to work as Filipino-language teaching assistants at US university for a period of one academic year (nine months). ##