Author: Connie Triggiano
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In 1901, ‘Thomasite’ US teachers brought English instruction to Filipinos ; in a twist of fate, Filipino teachers from the Philippines are now teaching Chicago kids
by Connie Triggiano This year’s celebration of Filipino American History Month recalls the start 124 years ago of the Americanization of the Philippines. It began with the arrival in 1901 of 600 teachers to the Philippines from the US to establish the public educational system. The teachers planted English as the medium of instruction and…
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Summer 2025 Tagalog Class just ended
Tagalog Class offers profound experience of joy and discovery of one’s roots and country The ardent highlight was the stirring rendition of the Triumphal March from the opera “Aida” by Giuseppe Verdi. And so the first graduation exercises of Rizal Center’s Tagalog class concluded. Verdi’s “Aida” is the traditional graduation march in the Philippines. Its…
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Tagalog drums up excitement for learning at Rizal Center
For four hours each week that began July 8, Tagalog words, expressions, and basic conversations shake up fresh enthusiasm for the Philippines’ heritage language as participants apply what they’re already learning in the ongoing Tagalog class in Rizal Center. The class combines grammar fundamentals that form the core foundation and practical conversation that helps ease into…
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For Filipinos in America, love travels in a box
Connie C. Triggiano September ushers in autumn and a riveting reflection about the cycle of life amid darkening shadows and silent afternoons. It prompts consciousness about the passing of the seasons, a foreboding feeling made profound by the wailing of time and an intense pining for loved ones some great distance away. For the Filipinos…
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Chanting Jesus’ life in verses; Archaic Tagalog revisited (Pabasa part 2)
by Connie C. Triggiano Pabasa may be considered a literature/cultural phenomenon for the incredible intensity alone of the rhythm of chanted words, narrating the passion of Christ and the amazing challenges of the depth of ancient Tagalog used in the story. The source of this celebratory account of Jesus’ life on earth, revered by Filipinos…
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The ‘moving’ saints of Holy Week
There is nothing more riveting depiction of religious history than the sublime drama that is Jesus’ passion (Pabasa), commemorated this Lenten season throughout the Christian world. Christ’s traumatic saga has been sanctified in many artistic forms across the centuries from paintings to literature, films, music, tapestries, frescoes, and drama. In Paete, Laguna, a small town in Luzon…