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Press Release
CHICAGO PCG BRINGS FILIPINO CULTURE TO LIFE FOR YOUNG CHICAGO STUDENTS THROUGH INTERACTIVE BOOK READING
Chicago, IL - In celebration of National Children’s Month and Philippine Book Development Month, the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, in partnership with the Bernhard Moos Elementary School, with the assistance of Filipino Chicago Public Schools (CPS) teachers Mr. Daryll Baculio and Ms. Melody Danguilit, organized a special book reading at the Bernhard Moos Elementary School in Humboldt Park, IL on 30 October 2025.
The event featured Ms. Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, a California-based author of Filipino heritage, who read from her newly released children’s book, “Kailani’s Gift.” The story celebrates Filipino culture and identity through the eyes of a young girl learning about her heritage, with the traditional tinikling dance as a central theme.
After the book reading activity, the first and second grade students participated in a fun quiz game based on the story. Those who answered correctly received a copy of “Cora Cooks Pancit,” another book by Ms. Gilmore-Young. The students took part with great excitement and enthusiasm, demonstrating their engagement with the story.
The students also had the opportunity to experience the tinikling dance firsthand. With the guidance of the CPS teachers, the children enthusiastically took part in learning the rhythmic steps of the Filipino folk dance, bringing to life the story they had just heard.
The Consulate expressed its sincere appreciation to Ms. Gilmore-Young for sharing her time and talent with the students and for helping promote Filipino culture and representation in children’s literature.
This activity forms part of the Consulate’s ongoing efforts to foster cultural awareness among young learners and to strengthen appreciation for Philippine literature and traditions within the broader community.
Photo 2: Children’s Book Author Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young reads aloud to first and second grade
students of Bernhard Moos Elementary School her newly release children’s book, “Kailani’s Gift.”
Photo 3: First and second grade students try the tinikling dance
Photo 4: Ms. Gilmore-Young (middle, top row), together with (from left to right, top row) Ms. Melody
Danguilit, Mr. Daryll Baculio, Consul Ella Karina Mitra, and Cultural Officer Mary Joy Duran-Mortel, poses
with select first and second grade students.
Chicago, IL - In celebration of National Children’s Month and Philippine Book Development Month, the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago, in partnership with the Bernhard Moos Elementary School, with the assistance of Filipino Chicago Public Schools (CPS) teachers Mr. Daryll Baculio and Ms. Melody Danguilit, organized a special book reading at the Bernhard Moos Elementary School in Humboldt Park, IL on 30 October 2025.
The event featured Ms. Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, a California-based author of Filipino heritage, who read from her newly released children’s book, “Kailani’s Gift.” The story celebrates Filipino culture and identity through the eyes of a young girl learning about her heritage, with the traditional tinikling dance as a central theme.
After the book reading activity, the first and second grade students participated in a fun quiz game based on the story. Those who answered correctly received a copy of “Cora Cooks Pancit,” another book by Ms. Gilmore-Young. The students took part with great excitement and enthusiasm, demonstrating their engagement with the story.
The students also had the opportunity to experience the tinikling dance firsthand. With the guidance of the CPS teachers, the children enthusiastically took part in learning the rhythmic steps of the Filipino folk dance, bringing to life the story they had just heard.
The Consulate expressed its sincere appreciation to Ms. Gilmore-Young for sharing her time and talent with the students and for helping promote Filipino culture and representation in children’s literature.
This activity forms part of the Consulate’s ongoing efforts to foster cultural awareness among young learners and to strengthen appreciation for Philippine literature and traditions within the broader community.
Photo 2: Children’s Book Author Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young reads aloud to first and second grade
students of Bernhard Moos Elementary School her newly release children’s book, “Kailani’s Gift.”
Photo 3: First and second grade students try the tinikling dance
Photo 4: Ms. Gilmore-Young (middle, top row), together with (from left to right, top row) Ms. Melody
Danguilit, Mr. Daryll Baculio, Consul Ella Karina Mitra, and Cultural Officer Mary Joy Duran-Mortel, poses
with select first and second grade students.