Culture shockis what Pilipino-Americans are predicted to experience the next time one visits the Philippines because keynote speaker Johneric Concordia said by then, the next generation of Pil-Ams will have lost all ties with their motherland.
With that burgeoning problem comes a simple solution - so simple it’s been overlooked by an overall privileged generation. One man, a high school drop-out, The Park’s Finest owner, & The Fighting Cocks’ frontman seems to hold the answer: to use community resources to help individuals develop and help their communities grow in return.
Southern California Pilipino American Student Alliance(SCPASA) held its 4th Summit: Culture Shock on Feb. 19 hosted by UC Irvine’s Kababayan in hopes of passing on the Pilipino traditions that go well beyond the stereotypical lumpia, singing, and dancing.
Students from all over California flocked to the half-day introductory event to experience the diverse Pilipino culture, through an opening ceremony, national anthems, and team roll calls. Then they were sent off to attend their chosen workshops.
The summit revolved around enriching and empowering workshops ranging from everyday issues to specialized topics like Tagalog 101, Reclaiming My Penis: Pilipino Male Performativity, Masculinity and Heterosexuality, the DREAM Act: The Pinoy Perspective, and Filipinos in the Cipher of Hip Hop: Acting Black Or Not?
As a first-timer of the summit, I’ve likened the setting to a more educational and less populated Friendship Games with just as much energy and hunger for culture.
During BakitWhy.com’s What’s Your Platform? Workshop, the entire team discussed the importance of community to our attendees. Even though it took a nudge to warm up the audience, it was well worth it to hear their input on topics like decolonization, politics, Islam, and other issues of interest to them.
Even though the weather conditions were bipolar that day, the resilience and warmth of the Pilipino Americans shone on as a beacon of hope for those who care for their heritage.
