‘Read-along’ kids learn Chinese culture

Editha Adonis, 64, was giggling. She was asked to stand and say, “Ni Hao” (“Hello” in Mandarin).

The grandmother explained that she only heard the word while watching “My Binondo Girl,” a popular ABS-CBN soap about a Chinese girl who pretended to be a boy to gain her father’s affection.

“So that’s the correct way of saying it,” she said, laughing.

Adonis brought her 5-year-old grandson Wenrey to a two-hour exposure on Chinese culture and language on Feb. 29 inside the compound of the Banilad Center for Professional Development (BCPD) in Barangay Banilad in Cebu City.

At least 30 parents and 30 pupils of the Barrio Luz Day Care Center were taught a few words in Mandarin and introduced to the world of tea, calligraphy, red envelopes and noodles.

The 30 pupils, mostly 4- to 5-year-olds, were treated to a feast of bihon, lumpia shanghai, masi and tikoy.

While they were guided by BCPD students to view the exhibit, their parents were taught Mandarin.

According to Adonis, she used to view Chinese-Filipino families as thrifty and business-minded people who lived comfortable lives.

“Most of them have businesses and they seem to have a lot of money. Almost everything here is owned by them,” she added.

But after the exposure, Adonis said she understood why many Chinese succeed in business.

“I learned that they are very hardworking people. That is why they succeed in business,” she said.

“The seriousness they put into their work is clear even in the way they write. Chinese characters are complicated to me and I cannot imagine how they learn everything. Even the correct tones in saying the syllables are confusing. You have to be patient,” she added.

For 4-year-old Harry Clark Hernane, she understood the meaning of red.

“It’s red everywhere! Meaning we are all happy and lucky,” he said when asked what he learned from the session.

The children were taught that red signifies luck as it invites wealth and scares away evil spirits.

The Chinese Festival, along with the Read-Along session was held on Feb. 29, a leap day and was organized by the BCPD and the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Leading the event were 60 BCPD sophomores studying hotel and restaurant services, who had been exposed to Chinese language and culture since September 2011.

The BCPD is a 19-year-old technical-vocational institution that offers opportunities for underprivileged young women to be employed in the tourism sector right after graduation. This is possible since the school has partnered with hotels and restaurants in Cebu.

Since 2005, it has been supported by Reledev Australia Ltd., a nongovernment organization, that enables the school to develop the skills of students.

“Our industry partners noted that there is a growing number of Chinese tourists in the country. We want our students to be equipped with the basic knowledge of the culture of these tourists so we have this subject,” said Elizabeth Lopez, BCPD director.

“The course is difficult especially the language part because it needs to be practiced. But I personally like that we are oriented to the culture because it made us appreciate the Chinese tourists we meet in the workplace,” said Regine Cuerda, 18.

Cuerda is currently undergoing an on-the-job training at Cebu City Marriott Hotel. She will graduate on March 30.

Sino-inspired

The students read two Chinese-inspired stories to the children: “The Origin of the Hong Bao (Red Envelope)” and “How the Zodiac Signs Are Arranged in Such Manner.”

Apart from a feast of Chinese food and language, the 30 children were given books and red envelopes with gold chocolate coins inside. Winners of the question-and-answer game were also given prizes.

Adonis said this was the first time for parents and grandparents like her to be exposed to Chinese culture.

“It was fun! It did not feel like a serious class. We go home with full stomachs and minds. I learned while having fun,” she said.