letter from the b.e.c.c

LETTER FROM THE B.E.C.C. Thank you to everyone who supported our decision regarding the cancellation of our PACN XXX practices indefinitely due to the COVID-19. CPP Barkada’s 30th Annual Pilipinx American Culture Night (PACN XXX) was supposed to take place on April 11, 2020 at the Arcadia Performing Arts Center. The decision did not come lightly, but we decided that it would be the best for everyone’s health and safety. I would like to acknowledge that although some of us are privileged to have strong and healthy immune systems, there are those who are immunocompromised. We may not know everyone’s stories and it is important for us to take care and advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves due to their conditions.

As the Stay At Home order has been extended, we must do our best to stay healthy not just for ourselves but for our loved ones as well. Even though we are not able to hold our culture night physically, we can still find a way to fully celebrate our culture. BougiE Board will be hosting the 30th annual Pilipinx American Culture Night virtually through zoom.

We will all get through this as long as we stand together as one. No matter the platform, our culture will shine through and the show will go on.

Pilipinx American Culture Night gave me a place to be myself. I wasn’t the perfect performer and I wasn’t even close to it, but there was a reason why I always came back. I wanted to continue and better the space that was provided for me and every member of Barkada by my predecessors. We have this space for everyone to get together and celebrate ourselves and what we all have in common - our culture.

The most memorable event for me in my first year in Barkada was PACN. My first year, I believe I participated in three to four dances and I was able to create stronger friendships with the people I consider lifetime friends now. I didn’t know what I was really getting into as the following year, I was lucky enough to be asked to be one of the Mindanao co-coordinators. I also had enough time to participate as an actor and as a dancer. I gained valuable insight about myself and my leadership style. My experience as a member slowly transitioned into being a leader through PACN. My third year, I unfortunately was not able to participate in the play or perform. I was more in the background of things, and I really got to understand how this whole production worked. There were things that I definitely missed and wished took a part of because of how good the production was. The more involved I got with each production, the more I appreciated the culture behind performing arts. This year, I was able to serve Barkada as the Barkada Entertainment Company Coordinator. The amount of work and effort that I saw through the members, the coordinators, the whole board made every minute of my term worth it. All the late nights, and the late late nights, were accompanied by friends who shared the same passion. Although the Bougie babies were not able to experience this in their first year, I am sure that they would have also made so many memories with each other as they already have. Of course, there is always next year and I hope that everyone gets the full experience of PACN. The nights where you see all your hard work coming together; the nights where you see how much everyone has gotten closer and closer; the nights where everyone is exhausted but we support and encourage each other until the end. The night of the performance is where everyone lets go and just perform their hearts out. I will definitely miss that and I am glad to have been a part of all of it. I am so excited for what the future holds for all the babies and the general members. I believe that you will all create a huge impact.

As much as I enjoyed my time as the BECC, nothing beats performing itself. I miss performing. I miss looking forward to practices. There were days where I just watched everyone and wished that I could partake in, if not all, some of the dances. As much as it was a privilege to serve you all as the BEC Coordinator this year, I wish that I had the time or made the time to perform alongside all of you and created more memories. Nevertheless, I wish that I was able to provide a space for everyone to perform and to indulge in our culture. At times where it was hard, you all gave me the motivation to keep pushing forward. No matter where we are, our culture will always find us and it is our choice to give back to our culture as much as it has provided a home for all of us.

Kailangan natin ang bawat isa. Please continue to check on your friends and relatives.

Salamat, Your BougiE Board BECC 2019-2020 Art Jazzerine Ducut