The Jakarta Intercultural School (JIS) recently celebrated its United Nations Day or UN Day for its High School students. JIS is the biggest international school here in Jakarta that caters to preschool until Grade 12 across several campuses. Because of this, the activities for preschool and elementary, Middle School, and High School are independent of each other.
As I have children in both Middle School and High School, I have actively participated in their UN Day celebrations. In fact, I was Team Leader for the Philippine Team during these separate celebrations. There are not many Filipino families here at JIS. I’m used to that though. It was just like back at Dwight School Seoul when we were still living in Seoul. But, it will be great if we see more Filipino families around so we can have our own little Filipino community at school. I am looking forward to that day.
Middle School UN Day
The UN Day for Middle School was last November 24, 2022. There were six Filipino families (including those with mixed heritage). We decorated our table to showcase Philippine culture. We had banderitas, the Philippine flag, and some colorful trinkets on the table. Of course, we wore our Philippine dresses, too. I also wore the Catriona earring given by a friend. Ms. Universe Catriona Gray had this design specially made for her Miss Universe stint. See the resemblance with the Philippine flag?
Here’s our United Nations Day on video. You can see how festive the atmosphere was and our Middle Schoolers just kept on coming back for ice drops. We also had some delicacies from the Philippines like ensaymada, macaroons, and polvoron. We chose to have simple treats for our Philippine table.
High School UN Day
There are fewer High School families this year at JIS. It was held this February 10. For UN Day, there were just three of us High School moms who participated so I was delighted and filled with appreciation for my friends, Thina and Carmela, who are Middle School moms. They helped us in the preparation and in manning our Philippine table. We also had a Kindergarten mom who tirelessly helped us during the day.
Here’s our video on the covered tennis court:
Back in Seoul, we called this kind of event the International Spring Fair.
It could be named differently but its purpose is one and the same: presenting the various cultures from where these international school students come.
Their exposure to different cultures and lifestyles is what makes them unique. They are global citizens with a culture all their own. They are Third Culture Kids (TCKs): possessing a lifestyle and education that makes them ready to look at the world as their playground.
As parents, it is our pride to share our own culture with the international community as well. I hope this instills a sense of pride in our children, too.
For more about expat living, you can follow me on any of my social media accounts:
For blog updates, make sure to fill this out so you are automatically subscribed:
thank you.
My deepest and sincerest condolence to your family. My biggest fear in life is losing my parents. I don’t what would I do if the time comes. Hindi ko ata kakayanin. 🙁
Thank You for sharing this beautiful blog Ms.Wend
At I’m Really appreciated you and To all Filipinos In Jakarta,Indonesia ,kahit nasa ibang Bansa Kayo pero dala dala pa din ang ating Philippine Culture and Proud talaga Kapag Gawa ng Pinoy 💯❤️
It highlight the best of every thing ,culture,food and its fun seeing this…
Ang sayang celebration ng UN day sa Jakarta . Nakakatuwa bawat bansa tlga ay ma nirerepresent . My mga pagkaen bawat table 😍
Thanks for always sharing your stories about your Jakarta living. I used to enjoy this kind of celebration back in grade school, and learn a lot from different cultures.
One of my fav days because it falls on my birthday! Wahaha! Parang cinecelabrate ng buong mundo eh no? Great pic with our flag btw!
This is a really nice activity. Nakakatuwa na napropromote nito ang culture natin and napapatikim sa ibang lahi ang sarap ng pagkaing tatak Pinas. And of course, nakikilala din natin ang culture ng ibang bansa.