PHILIPPINE EMBASSY, UNIFFIED MARYLAND WELCOME EDUCATORS AS CULTURAL BRIDGES

PRESS RELEASE
WDC-62-2025

16 September 2025

Embassy Press and Information Section

info@phembassy-us.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Embassy of the Philippines in Washington, D.C. welcomed members and friends of the United Federation of Fil-Am Educators, Inc. (UNIFFIED) Maryland Chapter on 13 September 2025 for a special visit by educators from Maryland for the “UNIFFIED Maryland: Bring a Friend” event. The event celebrated the vital role of educators in bridging both cultures and shared history, while introducing participants to Philippine heritage.

The initiative invited Filipino educators in Maryland to bring their American colleagues, highlighting people-to-people ties rooted in shared educational experiences. It strengthened the Embassy’s connection with educators in Maryland and the greater DMV, fostering mutual understanding through education and cultural exchange.

Deputy Chief of Mission Jaime Ramon T. Ascalon, Jr., in his welcome remarks, highlighted the significance of educators in promoting lasting friendships between nations.

“We are truly delighted to introduce you to Filipino hospitality as we celebrate not only the bonds of friendship but also the important role of educators in connecting cultures and communities,” DCM Ascalon said. “By sharing the richness of our shared history, heritage, and culture, we hope to inspire curiosity, appreciation, and dialogue.”

UNIFFIED Maryland President Raymund Antolo expressed gratitude to the Embassy for its support and reaffirmed the organization’s mission to empower Filipino teachers while fostering collaboration with their American counterparts. He noted that the program created opportunities for professional growth and cultural understanding beyond the four walls of their school.

As part of the program, Second Secretary and Consul Mark Lim delivered a presentation on the Philippines, highlighting colonial influences on modern culture. He underscored the shared history of the Philippine and American education systems, with particular focus on the legacy of the Thomasites—a pioneering group of American teachers who arrived in the Philippines in the early 1900s.

In observance of Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANAMo), Consul Lim also highlighted the Philippines’ unique maritime heritage as an archipelagic nation. MANAMo encourages increasing awareness of the Philippines’ maritime challenges and opportunities while fostering pride and responsibility in the Philippines’ identity as a maritime nation. 

To cap the program, participants enjoyed a live culinary demonstration of pastillas de leche followed by a curated Filipino lunch — offering a flavorful glimpse of the country’s renowned hospitality. They also browsed through a cultural display showcasing iconic elements of Filipino life, from woven baskets, traditional textiles, and mother-of-pearl crafts to miniature models of the bahay kubo, jeepney, tricycle, and kalesa. Student-made tokens such as parols, artwork, and scrapbooks were also featured, reflecting cultural lessons shared through Embassy engagement programs.###