Every October across the United States, Filipinos are recognized through Filipino American Heritage Month (FAHM). It is a time when American society is dedicated to celebrating the unique stories and lasting contributions of Filipino Americans. At NDB, FAHM is celebrated and honored amongst students and staffulty.
To bring awareness to this month, on Friday, October 3, the Epicurean Group featured special Filipino cuisine for lunch with famous cultural dishes, such as lumpia, pancit and adobo.
To continue the celebration, students and staffulty gathered in the Father Downey Garden with a pabitin – a version of a pinata – to enjoy. This activity was a great way for the community to participate in the festivities.
Yesterday, Tigers had the opportunity to visit the “MAKIBAKA: A Living Legacy” exhibit at the Yerba Buena Arts Center. This exhibit recognizes the presence of Filipino culture in the Bay Area. It was a great experience for students to take learning outside of the classroom.
For many in the NDB community, this month also serves as a time of connection, reflection and pride.
Freshman Serena Sangalang shared how her connection to her Filipino roots was strengthened through martial arts.
“Something my family has really instilled in me is a Filipino martial art that I used to take called Kali, and it really helped me get closer with my culture and understand who I am as a Filipino and learning the traditions through that martial art,” explained Sangalang.
During this time of the year, Filipino families attend social events to embrace their culture.
“A particularly lively Filipino tradition I cherish is called a fiesta, which is a vibrant event where communities come together to celebrate their town’s patron saint through bright parades and cheerful gatherings,” shared junior Shantal Amurao. “This celebration serve[s] as a reminder of our heritage and help[s] strengthen community bonds.”
While students take this time to grow in their culture, NDB Director of Educational Accessibility Arlene Empleo uses this month as a time to educate her children about their cultural origins, believing in the importance of teaching them at a young age because she did not have that same luxury. She is grateful that she is not only surrounded by coworkers who share similar cultural traditions, but that NDB recognizes this month every year.
“For the past four years, NDB has recognized Filipino American Heritage month in small ways,” shared Empleo. “I never experienced having a Filipino teacher until high school, so to be working with a group of teachers who are also Filipino is a gift that I don’t want to forget.”
Through these celebrations, NDB continues to show its commitment to honoring culture and diversity.
