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MISSION
Since 1996, Tagalog On Site has brought second and third-generation
Filipino Americans to the Philippines for them to explore, reclaim and
draw empowerment from their ethnic culture and heritage through:
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The teaching of the Filipino (still commonly referred
to as the Tagalog) language
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Encouraging a continuing discourse on the history,
culture and contemporary issues of Filipinos in the homeland and
Filipinos of the diaspora
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Providing meaningful interaction between Philippine
and foreign-born/raised Filipinos through community interaction/immersion
activities, community-building projects, internships, lectures,
discussion groups, and campaigns, and
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Encouraging participants to contribute to constructive
change in the Filipino communities, wherever these may be.
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For the last eight years, TOS has brought 145 participants to the Philippines
to learn Filipino, and study Philippine history and culture in the context
of contemporary life. TOS participants have interacted with various
indigenous communities from Sagada, Banaue, Palawan, Lake Sebu (South
Cotabato) and Zambales, fisherfolk and peasants from Los Baños,
Batangas and Quezon, the religious groups of Mt. Banahaw, the toxic
waste victims from Angeles City (Pampanga), Amerasian communities in
Olongapo City, urban poor residents of Navotas (Manila). They had lectures
and discussions with academics, community organizers, artists, local
government representatives, members of the Philippine Congress, representatives
from the business sector, labor organizers, etc.
Many “graduates” of the program report
that the TOS experience has affected them quite profoundly, and that
the insights learned during the program
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have continued to impact their lives today. They say that TOS initiates
a process of reconciliation — of being “raised outside of
the Philippines but having to live and adhere to their parents’
Filipino values and tradition.” This self-knowledge has allowed
them to celebrate their “Filipino-ness” more fully. And while
a number of TOS alumni have returned or extended their stay in the Philippines
to work on social and environmental issues with non-government organizations,
all have professed a desire to give back to their own Filipino communities
outside the homeland, in their own way and in their own time.
It is the goal of TOS to make its programs available
to other second- and third- generation overseas Filipinos. The TOS programs
have given Filipino Americans a sense of grounding in their ethnic identities.
We believe that the TOS experience could do the same for other Filipinos
of the diaspora.
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