Ambassador Ariel Abadilla was very warmly welcomed by the St. Cronan’s National School in Bray, Co. Wicklow last February 12th as part of the preparation for the Bray Lions Club “Windows of the World” project.  The annual project is held on the week of St. Patrick’s Day, this year’s “Windows of the World” event will have the St. Cronan’s students decorating a large window on the main street with all things Filipino as part of an endeavor to learn about and embrace different cultures.

 

Upon arrival at the school grounds, Ambassador Abadilla was greeted by rows of young boys proudly waving their own hand-made miniature Philippine flags.  The Philippine flag was also flying on a mast in front of the school alongside the Irish flag.

 

Parents of Filipino students, who are the largest minority population at St. Cronan’s National School, were delighted to meet with the Ambassador before he was led to a junior class filled with 7-year old boys enthusiastically waving yet more handcrafted Philippine flags. Immediately, they took turns launching a number of questions at the Ambassador, first and most memorable being “Ambassador, can you please tell us more about the water buffalo?” (carabao)

 

At the main auditorium, the St. Cronan’s National School choir serenaded Ambassador Abadilla with a mixture of both English and Irish songs. The principal of the school, Vaughan Dodd, welcomed the Ambassador and spoke with pride of the talented young Filipino boys attending the school and of their parents and other Filipinos who were very highly respected in Bray for their work ethic and values.  A Philippine National Day celebration in June at the St. Cronan’s National School is also being planned.