Filipino Club Expands Cultural Awareness

Spreading Filipino cultural food, games, festivals, and traditions are the primary goals of the newly formed Filipino Club. The club was established to show and spread cultural awareness in our school together with Black Student Union and Latino Club.

“As soon as I walked in the room I didn’t feel weird because I wasn’t Filipino or anything and I was still able to make such an amazing connection. I’m still getting to know some members but I think I’m going to have a really great year with them,” said junior Josiah Edwards.

The  club is led by Janna Valdez, president, together with John Dungo, Gabriel Revita, Carolyne Gonzalez, Cameron Agustin, Mark Molabola and Dr. Vieira as the club advisor.  The club meets every second and fourth Friday afterschool at room C207.

“I wanted to encourage a broader cultural awareness in our school and I think the club is the key to that, said Valdez.

“And even though it is a Filipino club, everyone is welcome to join, both middle and high school.”

Meetings last for about an hour consisting of fun games, food, short announcements and planning for future fundraisers and events. The club hosts games such as “hip hip – hooray”and “pass the kalamansi game” which are both common Filipino games. The food is provided by the members themselves and it consists of Filipino foods such as rice, pancit, chips and pandesal.

“It’s interesting being around some Filipinos that I don’t really see during normal school days,” said sophomore Mark Noche.

The clubs first fundraiser sold wolf ears during the homecoming football game. To make this happen, the members use their own time to make wolf ears out of a thick white blanket, cardboard and headbands.

“The club is a lot of fun, there’s always food, games and fun projects that they work on. There’s also a lot of kids which aren’t Filipino and only joined out of interest and there’s around over thirty students going to meetings so I believe this club will continue to grow especially if they continue to do meaningful events,” said club advisor Dr. Vieira