SLSU-TO Filipino Education Captures Global Audience in Project FilTalk Culmination
With resounding success, Southern Leyte State University–Tomas Oppus (SLSU–TO) officially concluded FilTALK: Filipino as a Foreign Language on May 23, 2025, via Zoom. The culminating program marked the successful end of a 10-day virtual cultural and language exchange that brought together international and Filipino students and educators in a celebration of learning, cultural exchange, and global connection.
The event opened with a warm welcome address from Dr. Norla Grace A. Betarmos, Faculty Dean of Teacher Education, who emphasized the transformative impact of FilTALK on both participants and facilitators. Messages of support and appreciation poured in from SLSU university officials. Dr. Jude Duarte, University President, lauded the project as a testament to SLSU’s commitment to internationalization and academic excellence. Dr. Francis Ann R. Sy, Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Extension Services; Dr. Marie Khul C. Langub, Vice President for Student and Auxiliary Services; and Dr. Ingrid M. Uy, Director of External Linkages and International Affairs, all echoed their excitement for future iterations of FilTALK and similar global academic engagements. A cultural showcase titled “FilTALK Outputs in Focus” brought attention to the diverse creative works and presentations from participating countries. Notable performances and cultural reflections were shared by Vo Hanh Nhung of Tra Vinh University (Vietnam), Sanayila Khalid of Fatima Jinnah Women University (Pakistan), and Monika Sioping and Alifah Nur Farahiya Rahayu Harun from Indonesia’s Sanata Dharma University and Universitas Negeri Surabaya, respectively.
In a moving segment titled “What I Learned from FilTALK,” several participants shared heartfelt reflections on their experiences throughout the project. Speakers included Nguyen Thi Phuong Thuy from Tra Vinh University (Vietnam), Sanayila Khalid from Pakistan, Monika Sioping from Indonesia, Sultan Arya Iskandarsyah from Universitas Internasional Semen Indonesia, and Cymon Lorona from SLSU–Tomas Oppus, Philippines. Their testimonies highlighted the personal and cultural growth they experienced through the project. A lively and colorful performance of a traditional Philippine folk dance by selected SLSU–TO Physical Education students further elevated the festive atmosphere of the culminating program.
In his message of gratitude, Dr. Clemente H. Cobilla, Campus Director of SLSU–Tomas Oppus, praised the collaborative spirit that defined FilTALK. He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to fostering global education initiatives that celebrate the Filipino language and culture.
The program concluded with closing remarks from Dr. Mark B. Galdo, Project Leader of FilTALK. He expressed his heartfelt thanks to all stakeholders and presented an exciting vision for the future, including FilTALK 2.0, the development of FilTALK Interactive Apps, and the launch of an ASEAN Student Mobility Program. Dr. Galdo stressed that this culmination was only the beginning of more expansive engagements to promote the Filipino language and culture worldwide.
Originally launched on May 13, 2025, FilTALK brought together over 60 international student participants from 10 partner universities across the globe. Grounded in Dr. Galdo’s contextualized pedagogical model and aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 4, 5, 10, and 17), the project offered daily interactive sessions featuring lessons, cultural activities, and performance-based tasks.
More than just a language course, FilTALK became a vibrant community of learners and educators. Through its tagline “Masaya ‘to: Let’s FilTALK!”, the project succeeded in creating a meaningful and joyful space for cultural dialogue and global connection. University officials expressed their hope for continued engagement, seeing FilTALK as a beacon of inclusive, globally connected education rooted in cultural pride and mutual understanding.
