March 28, 2026 was a joyful and enriching day spent with music educators from the Bay Area. The workshop, From Fieldwork to Classroom: A Journey through Philippine Songs, Rhymes, Games, and Dances, hosted by the Northern California Association of Kodály Educators (NCAKE), took place from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. in Burlingame. This gathering was one I looked forward to with eager anticipation as NCAKE has always felt like a home organization to me. It was truly a homecoming. It was a delight to reconnect with dear colleagues and friends and to meet new educators who share a passion for meaningful music teaching.

I was honored by the presence of two officers from the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Cultural Officer Anne Estoya and Vice Consul Glaiza Quarteros. Their attendance affirmed the Consulate’s commitment to advancing our shared goal of promoting Filipino culture.

My profound appreciation goes to the Kodály Foundation for Music Education for generously donating several titles of my publications for use by the workshop participants. I am deeply thankful to the Board for their continued support of my advocacy. It is my hope that these materials will find their way into classrooms—not only as engaging musical experiences, but also as meaningful tools for preserving and promoting Filipino culture. The Bay Area in California is home to one of the largest Filipino immigrant communities, making this work especially relevant. I also hope that this experience inspired teachers to explore their own cultural roots and to begin collecting and sharing materials from their own traditions.

My sincere thanks to the NCAKE Board—under the leadership of Katie Jenks, President; Robert Lee, Past President; and Diana Walsh, Vice President—for their dedication and hard work in organizing this workshop.