IP supplements its educational programs with extracurricular activities that provide families with the opportunity to participate in activities together.  We believe that active and consistent involvement in structured and productive activities in which families work toward shared goals results in stronger families, lasting friendships, and a better community.  These programs sometimes serve additional purposes, such as fundraising for IP programs, promoting IP, and raising awareness about the Filipino community.  The following describes several of IP’s most popular family activities.

Community Events

• New England Folk Festival (NEFFA) – This festival is a presentation of many different ethnic groups in New England in the form of dance, cuisine and cultural exhibits held annually.  IP participates in it by presenting folk dances reflecting a certain theme or region of the Philippines.
• Palaro Olympics – An event where the children compete with each other in teams by playing certain native games like sipa, patintero, luksong tinik, tumbang preso, etc.  It fosters team spirit and cooperation and appreciation for the simplicity of Pilipino life.
• Celebrity Series – An annual event where well-known Filipinos in the working world are invited to speak to the children about their careers or the special work they do. Some of the celebrities were priests who work with indigenous tribes in the Philippines, newscasters, artists, doctors, chefs, authors, illustrators of children books, and many more.  They not only inspire the children with their life’s work, but also serve as role models for the children.
• Lutuan – A cooking class that introduces many different dishes from different regions of the Philippines to the children. This is offered in conjunction with the Arts and Crafts Program. Many basic Pilipino dishes like adobo, pancit and lumpia and desserts like palitao, bibingka and leche flan are taught to help the children develop their taste for and love of Pilipino food.
• Lowell Folk Festival – The Lowell Folk Festival held every year during the last weekend in July is the largest free folk festival in the nation.  There are food booths from different ethnic groups, handicraft and artisan booths, folk dance and music presentations.  The IP booth is a favorite among the festival organizers and festival attendees and prides itself in attracting repeat customers and in having the longest line.  The festival has been the major fund raising activity for IP since 1988.  Proceeds cover the majority of IP’s operating expenses and enable IP to keep registration fees to a minimum.  All IP parents and their children participate in this labor-intensive event in true “bayanihan” spirit. 
• Christmas Caroling – Christmas caroling, started in 1976, is the second major fundraiser for IP.  The IP carolers, consisting of parents, students and the rondalla, rehearse for more than two months and go caroling (by appointment) for the three weekends in December before Christmas.  Proceeds from caroling are earmarked for the Rondalla Program.  Christmas caroling is a fundraising tradition that is still practiced in the Philippines and helps promote the Christmas spirit to Filipinos and their friends.

Fundraising Activities

• Lowell Folk Festival – The Lowell Folk Festival held every year during the last weekend in July is the largest free folk festival in the nation.  There are food booths from different ethnic groups, handicraft and artisan booths, folk dance and music presentations.  The IP booth is a favorite among the festival organizers and festival attendees and prides itself in attracting repeat customers and in having the longest line.  The festival has been the major fund raising activity for IP since 1988.  Proceeds cover the majority of IP’s operating expenses and enable IP to keep registration fees to a minimum.  All IP parents and their children participate in this labor-intensive event in true “bayanihan” spirit. 
• Christmas Caroling – Christmas caroling, started in 1976, is the second major fundraiser for IP.  The IP carolers, consisting of parents, students and the rondalla, rehearse for more than two months and go caroling (by appointment) for the three weekends in December before Christmas.  Proceeds from caroling are earmarked for the Rondalla Program.  Christmas caroling is a fundraising tradition that is still practiced in the Philippines and helps promote the Christmas spirit to Filipinos and their friends.