February 22nd 2025
Lukas Nepomuceno, Filipino American Student Association

The Filipino American Student Association put on a performance of a story from Filipino folklore and mythology incorporating live music and cultural dances from the Talaandig community. In addition to competing at the Battle of the Bamboo 2025 competition in Chicago and winning first place in FASA history, FASA staged a community performance on campus. Their project focuses on the Talaandig, an indigenous group from Central Mindanao, the southernmost region of the Philippines. This year, FASA expanded the scope of their efforts by getting in direct contact with people from the Talaandig community and receiving guidance through correspondence and Zoom calls. This grant allowed FASA to directly support people from the Talaandig community as they consulted them about their culture and portrayal of dance, allowing them to tell one of their stories more authentically and better honor them through this performance.

November 18th 2023
Andrew Ramirez, Filipino American Student Association (FASA)

Philippine Culture Night (PCN) is FASA's signature event and biggest cultural show of the year. A semi-formal to formal banquet-style event, its primary focus is to communicate, cultivate, exemplify, and celebrate Filipino culture and identity. PCN provides a space to engage in insightful discussion of Filipino culture, as well as a means for Filipino to celebrate and be proud of their heritage, empowering individuals of the Filipino American community. The event allows Filipinos to connect their heritage primarily through Filipino performances but also food, language, and attire. There is also a strong educational component of PCN. Both Filipino and non-Filipino attendees are educated through music, singing, dance, spoken word, speeches, and conversation.