Spring Break
Akbayan hopes to make Filipino cultural connections
Allie Figures
Issue date: 11/19/08 Section: Student Culture
"Filipino Culture Night" is an esteemed event where members orchestrate and perform traditional songs, dances and plays, Victorio said.
Jeremy Manuel, a new member to Akbayan, said learning about the authentic dances was both humbling and enriching.
"I know I still have so much to learn," said the undeclared sophomore, who admitted he would have never known so much about his culture if not for Akbayan.
"My parents emigrated from the Philippines, but they haven't really passed down anything," he said.
New members Manuel and Mapanao said they have siblings who do not identify with the Filipino culture.
"I know that if my younger sister joined this club that would all change," Mapanao said.
Victorio, a sophomore advertising major, said he is sure Akbayan can reach out to Filipinos who do not identify with their culture.
"I think that they're really missing out," he said. "Akbayan is just a taste of what the Filipino culture has to offer."
Dominguez said the phrase, "No history, no self. Know history, know self," sums up an individual's responsibility to tap into his or her "roots" to make our society more cultured.
"If a Filipino person is not in touch with their culture … they come off as a person apathetic about their ethnicity," he said.
In order to maintain its presence on campus and constantly recruit new members, Victorio said the organization sets up a table outside the Student Union every day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
"At the beginning of the semester we would get about 20 to 30 interested people each day and still we get about two to three people stop by," he said.
Victorio stressed that students of any culture or race can join the club at the cost of $10, which goes to fund events throughout the semester.
"I just wish more people expressed interest for our club because organizations only get bigger when more people get involved," he said.
Jeremy Manuel, a new member to Akbayan, said learning about the authentic dances was both humbling and enriching.
"I know I still have so much to learn," said the undeclared sophomore, who admitted he would have never known so much about his culture if not for Akbayan.
"My parents emigrated from the Philippines, but they haven't really passed down anything," he said.
New members Manuel and Mapanao said they have siblings who do not identify with the Filipino culture.
"I know that if my younger sister joined this club that would all change," Mapanao said.
Victorio, a sophomore advertising major, said he is sure Akbayan can reach out to Filipinos who do not identify with their culture.
"I think that they're really missing out," he said. "Akbayan is just a taste of what the Filipino culture has to offer."
Dominguez said the phrase, "No history, no self. Know history, know self," sums up an individual's responsibility to tap into his or her "roots" to make our society more cultured.
"If a Filipino person is not in touch with their culture … they come off as a person apathetic about their ethnicity," he said.
In order to maintain its presence on campus and constantly recruit new members, Victorio said the organization sets up a table outside the Student Union every day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
"At the beginning of the semester we would get about 20 to 30 interested people each day and still we get about two to three people stop by," he said.
Victorio stressed that students of any culture or race can join the club at the cost of $10, which goes to fund events throughout the semester.
"I just wish more people expressed interest for our club because organizations only get bigger when more people get involved," he said.
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