Who picked us? Our coordinators, Susan Quimpo and George Chiu brought us all together. Who taught us? Well, we learned from pretty much everybody including each other, but our language teachers were Ponchi Hernanadez and Yda Arce, both from Manila.
Here's the official PRESS RELEASE about Tagalog on Site:
For Immediate Release
STUDY-ABROAD PROGRAM FOR FIL-AMS INVITES APPLICANTS
********************************************************************* Tagalog Study-Abroad Program Seeks Filipino American Participants for -------------- --------------- ------------- - - - - - - - - - ----- ----- - - ------- - - - --------- - ---- - ----- - - ----- - - - --------- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------- - - --------- - - - - - - - - - - - ------ - --------------- - ------------- - ------ --------------- ------------- ***************************************** *** *** *** Tagalog On Site 1998 *** *** is currently accepting applicants *** *** for its Summer 1998 session! *** *** *** *****************************************
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
This study-abroad program, called Tagalog On Site, is on its third year. Over a period of seven weeks Tagalog On Site offers an intensive Tagalog/Pilipino instruction program coupled with a unique cultural exposure package designed to provide second and third generation Filipino Americans with a holistic introduction to Philippine history, culture and contemporary life.
LANGUAGE, HISTORY, & CULTURE:
Participants will be given at least 125 hours of language instruction conducted by experienced second language teachers, many of whom have taught visiting Peace Corps volunteers. To facilitate language learning, a small student-teacher ratio is guaranteed. Participants will be required to complete daily language exercises as well as integrate with the local community.
In addition, faculty from the Ateneo de Manila University, University of the Philippines and other leading academic institutions, will conduct weekend lecture-workshops on Philippine history, Filipino psychology, politics, culture and the arts. Respected authorities and resource persons from grassroots organizations will also be invited to speak on local issues.
EXPOSURE TRIPS: A unique feature of Tagalog On Site are the guided exposure trips. These expert-led forays will avoid the usual tourist track. Instead, the trips are meant to give participants a better grasp of local culture and concerns. Past participants had the chance to harvest palay from the paddies of the Banaue rice terraces; join the Ifugao rituals of thanksgiving; visit mining tunnels in Itogon, Benguet; trek through a rain forest in Palawan; cross eight rivers on foot to visit the Tagbanua, an indigenous tribe in Irawan; share an evening of ethnic music; attempt to make handmade pottery at Tiaong, Quezon; visit a jeepney factory; try snorkeling and island-hopping; explore caves and bathe in natural streams; and watch woodcarvers at work in Paete, Laguna.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Tagalog On Site seeks 15 serious participants for Summer 1998. Applicants should be at least 18 years of age and should be strongly motivated in learning or improving their Tagalog/Pilipino language skills.
For information and application forms, contact Jackie Schramm at e-mail address: tagalog@netcom.com or call (201) 616-1267. Tagalog On Site's mailing address is 460 Indian Road, Wayne, NJ 07470.
Any questions about the experience itself? Contact information of past participants is available.
I see the whole experience as kinda like the REAL WORLD and ROAD RULES put together, but that's just my opinion. All 9 Filipino-Americans were from all over the US...
When i asked Turbo for the awit ng TOS... here's what she said:
"O SIGE... ETO... AWIT MO!!!"
geez...some people...whoever started that?! uh..oh yeah...i did...sori po...pasensiya kayo na...anyway, here ya go:
Be sure to check out the Energized Tagalog On-Site Page!! [Turbo's Page]
Wait!!! Before you leave (especially if you are a TOSer)....share your feelings and sign the guestbook...
And
read what others think of us...
Congratulations...you are visitor number
since August 16, 1996!
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This page was born on August 14, 1996. Last modified: February 16, 1998
For any comments or questions, email me at ryangco@sccs.swarthmore.edu