Anong Balita: October Issue

Writer: Jocelyn San Luis Designer: Michael Belicano

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PAHM October is the nationally known as P.A.H.M., or the Pilipino American Heritage Month. The month is dedicated to the culture and history of the Pilipino people. Many people know little (if any) about their cultural past. They are not familiar with Pilipino heroes that helped shape our identity as a people. They are not familiar with the influences from other cultures that are visible within our culture. I myself, am one of the several people that are disconnected from our culture. PAHM is the opportunity to learn the: who, what, when, where and why of our culture and heritage. American society gives little, to no coverage or exposure to the Pilipino culture, and PAHM is a step in the right direction to change that.

I was able to interview Barkada’s culture chair to learn more about the month. Emeline Allenegui, fourth year Public Relations major, is the current culture chair and is in charge of PAHM and the workshops that are thrown. The first thing we talked about was how PAHM was started.

Anong Balita: “What is PAHM about? When did PAHM start?”

Emeline Allenegui: “Pilipino American Heritage Month is celebrated every year on October. It was nationally recognized only in 2009, but has been around since 2007.”

AB: “Why October out of all months in the year?”

EA: “October was the month that had the first documented proof of Filipino presence in the United States, so the month of was recognized as our heritage month.

We went on to discuss the activities of the month; the month hosts several workshops per week that address several aspects about Pilipino culture. From stereotypes, to discussions of famous Pilipino heroes, the workshops cover a broad range of topics within our culture.

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AB: “How many workshops do you host? And what do they consist of?”

EA: “Depending on the chair, we usually had two a week this year, and had about 10 so far. We usually shoot for seven to 12 in the month.

The workshop depends on the topic, I really like to include members in the discussion. I like to get everyone’s point of view when it comes to the discussion, I like to hear what they have to say.”

AB: “So out of all the workshops, which was your favorite one?”

EA: “The workshop that was most passionate was the Filipi-KNOW. That workshop we learned where we as a culture came from and we talked about how we as a people assimilated into American culture.”

AB: “That’s pretty cool, I know we are barely represented in American culture so that’s definitely a hot topic.”

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Pilipino American Heritage Month EA: “Yeah it’s really frustrating when you think about it. Oh yeah, also the Melting pot workshop. That was really cool because it was the most interactive. It was a discussion format and we talked about all the influences we have from different cultures. It’s really funny be cause one of the memories from that night was when one of our members was really into it and yelled “Oh I get it!” really loud for everyone to hear. It was really funny.”

Emeline put on several workshops during PAHM, and I was able to attend one of the workshops. The workshop I attended was the Who’s Who workshop. The workshop was held in a discussion format (I found out, that was her favorite format.) Someone would pull the name of an important Pilipino figure out of a hat and then a discussion and explanation of the person’s life would occur. It was informative and interesting to learn about these people of who I had no knowledge of.

After we talked about the workshops, I wanted to know what was her motivation for this month.

AB: “So I guess the last thing to ask is why. Why did you decide to take charge of PAHM this year?”

EA: “I wanted to take charge of the event because I wanted people to be able to connect more with their culture and identity. I wanted them to be more involved and active with the issues. I love the members, and I love what Barkada is. The cultural aspect is just as important as the social.”

At the conclusion of the interview, I had a better sense of the importance of PAHM. I learned more than I imagined, and realized that there is more out there than what I think. The rich and extensive history is available, I just need to willing to look for it. Emeline did a great job of giving people such as me, the opportunity to learn more.

Her passion and dedication to her position as culture chair, was genuine throughout every event.

EA: “Even though PAHM is over we should not let up in our pursuit to connect with our culture. We shouldn’t limit our passion to just October, it should be a lifelong pursuit.”

Trying to cram our entire heritage into one month is impossible.

There are too many pivotal people and important events to be discussed fully. It would be disrespectful to rush over anything, but to spark the interest of Pilipino culture into people, so that they research it themselves, that is doable. And that is just what Emeline did.

WRITTER: ANDREW PERIAS DESIGNER: JULIANNE PINEDA

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ALL SAINTS’

“Day of the Dead”

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Article: Shaun Panada

All Saints Day, or Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) as it is known in Mexican culture, is a day in Catholic tradition for us to honor, remember and pay respect to the dead. This day falls on the first day of November, right after Halloween, and is followed by All Souls Day, which is the second day of November. On this special holiday there are plenty of things that can be done to pay tribute to loved ones that have passed away.

November 1st is also the day I was born, and so I always thought of it as my day. Because I was a very spoiled child when I was younger, I would always expect presents on this day, and nothing more. However, when I was around the age of fourteen, tragedy hit my family for the first time. That year was the death of my uncle and my cousin. This event changed our lives forever, and needless to say, it changed the way my birthday was celebrated as well.

Instead of having relatives visit me and receiving presents, I find my family and I visiting the cemetary and placing flowers on my relatives' graves (of course, being a student makes this harder when this day falls in the middle of the week). This is a bitterbitter sweet moment for all of us to share together, but it is a very helpful way to cope with the loss of a loved one; it has aided time in the healing process. There have been many other members of my family that have passed away since then, and this day still remains as one of those special days to remember them.

This day doesn't have to be so solemn. In fact, it can be a very fun day for everyone to enjoy, while still respecting those who have passed. It's not uncommon to hold a feast in the cemetary on this day. People will gather around and have a picnic near the grave of their loved ones, while playing games and sharing stories; it's also not unusual to hear children laughing or mah jong tiles clicking in this festive area.

Layout: Kelsey Estrada

People also like to decorate the tomb of their loved ones, and these decorations tend to consist of flowers and balloons mostly, but it can be decorated with items that the deceased loved. There are also other rituals that can be performed to commemorate the occasion; this is just a small list of many.

It's important to remember those who are no longer with us.

It's important to remember how they paved the way and the opportunities they have bestowed upon us. Of course, they should be remembered all year round instead of just this one day of the year, but it allows us, as a culture, to come together and honor those who have since been gone.

It's important to treasure their memories and take them with us as we continue living, so that when our final days our upon us, we can pass these lessons we have learned and leave a legacy on the future generation.

“I nd my family and i visiting the cemetary and placing owers on my relatives’ graves”

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