PACN 35: ITINADHANA NI BATHALA

I’ve always joked about writing a sequel to PACN 33: Tibayan. I didn’t think that it would actually come to fruition. As soon as the idea of being Barkada’s next Culture Chair started to feel more possible, I knew what I had to do. I wanted to write a screenplay that was packed to the brim with culture. I wanted to incorporate details that people would be able to see and realize after their second, third, or nth time of watching it. I wanted to pay homage to and expand upon the world of PACN 33: Tibayan— the show that significantly changed me as a person and how I perceive our culture within a completely new environment. I wanted to spotlight details of the culture of my ancestors— the Tagalogs. Things that I used to hear about in my Filipino and Araling-Panlipunan (Social Studies) Classes in the Philippines that stuck with me through my twenty-one years of life. Lastly, I wanted to have details of the environment, community, and culture that I personally grew up in. This show starts at the core of who I am, my home— Las Piñas City.

From the hours worth of traffic to get through Alabang-Zapote road and out of Las Piñas, the delicious TapSiLog from Oras Pares, the kind smiles from the guards that greet us around our Barangay, our kind neighbours that I grew up playing piko and patintero with, the kids from my Elementary School (shoutout ESS Main Campus), the weekend drives down to Parañaque, Cavite and Tagaytay, the holiday trips up to Orani Bataan, Subic Bay, and Baguio City, and to the home in which I was raised by my kind and loving family. I wanted to capture the essence of the world I lived in for the first 14 years of my life. For a while, my universe was contained within that small part of the Philippines. It was terrifying leaving my entire world behind, but I would not be the same person I am today if not for the once in a lifetime opportunity to broaden my horizons here in America.

A lot of my research for this show was made possible by the account @sikodiwa on instagram and the published papers of Felipe Landa Jocano. I grew up hearing about him and his work, and when I thought that I’ve reached a dead end with my research, his name was the light at the end of the tunnel. I tried to contain the pre-colonial cultural details within the Tagalog pantheon because my ancestors are from the Tagalog region. Even with the other cultural aspects within the mythology, a lot of it is from stories I grew up with (the stories about the Mangkukulam, Kapres, Tikbalang, Dwende, and the Manananggal). The Diwatas in the story are loosely based on the actual Deities of the Tagalog Pantheon, but I definitely took a lot of creative liberty in the way they were presented in this show (mainly because a lot of the information about them was wiped when Spain colonized the Philippines).

PACN 33: Tibayan built up the world of Unang Mundo, Segundo, Aswang, and the crystal. After playing the role of Evangeline Peralta Dimaano, I was inspired to bring this story back for another PACN season. I like to call PACN 35 a direct sequel to PACN 33, but I did my best to have it still be understandable. PACN has always been a bittersweet moment for me. It feels really fulfilling every year, but it gets really busy and stressful. With that being said, I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything in the world. PACN 33 was my introduction to this whole venture, and I wouldn’t be here today if not for the people who I’ve met throughout my three years of participating in these shows.

I’d like to thank my wonderful parents Ian and Analyn Carreon for being the best parents in the world. I wouldn’t be the headstrong and confident person that I am if it weren’t for them. I’d like to shout out my grandparents Melly and Ray Anico, and Alberto and Hermie Carreon for being a big advocate for Filipino culture in my life. I’d like to thank my brothers Joshua Miguel Carreon and Gabriel Anico Carreon.

I’d like to thank my PACN Board for all the work they’ve put into this show. To my support system, I appreciate all of you guys for dealing with my many crashouts. Thank you for sticking by my side to guide me through all of this. To my Cast & Crew, I hope that we were able to give you guys a memorable and enjoyable season. Thank you for the time you put into this show. All of the late nights, bonding activities, Act Resets, and more. I hope to see all of you next year!

Ianna Mikaela Anico Carreon Culture Chair 2024-2025

What started as a curiosity to connect with part of my culture, turned into a love, a fire and burning passion for PACN. Being able to experience and express the spirit of PACN 33: Tibayan through performance was a really transformative part of my freshman year of college. Putting myself out there, wanting to pass along something that was special to me in PACN 34: Sa Ibang Buhay, I yet again experienced a sort of “PACN magic” being on PACN board, being able to coordinate, I am so thankful to have been trusted to help build seeing new members and returners feel that spark and dedication to leave everything on that stage as I had.

Choosing the dances had only been a distant dream when I first started. I wanted to have a stronger connection with the culture, illustrate their messages, and have the members enjoy finding out which dances we were doing and be able to tie their personalities to them. Not only the culture, but the friendships and memories that I had made truly cemented an inexplicable feeling of happiness and gratitude within me.

To be completely honest- the first semester of this year was extremely rough and I felt as though I wouldn’t be able to fulfill what I had set out to do. That fire within me had been reduced to a small flame, but was never extinguished. At the very least, I wanted to help fulfill the vision of PACN and the uniqueness of PACN 35. As soon as the season had arrived, I tried my best to put my heart and soul into the show- a reason as to why I return to PACN, and Barkada. If I got to choose, there would be no question. I would experience those circumstances time and time again- a million times over even, if it guaranteed that I got to make that dream a reality.

With that being said, I am in awe at watching it come alive. I felt as though it was almost like Itinadhana Ni Bathala that I had gotten to have this. I’d like to thank my family, especially my parents, Leanne Young and Rene Tayag, for always believing in me and supporting any and all of my dreams I have put my mind to ever since I was young. To Ianna, the Culture Chair to my BECC, thank you for always believing in me, never giving up on me, and reassuring me that our show would be something unforgettable.

It definitely has not been easy to say the least, but I am so happy to say that we’ve made it. To the cast and crew, you never cease to amaze me. I am genuinely and wholeheartedly grateful for everyone who decided to participate in the capacity that they could.

Thank you for welcoming me with open arms and allowing me to provide this irreplaceable season to you all. To PACN board, thank you so much for all the late nights, your commitment, persistence, and not only reigniting, but fueling the fire that is once again roaring within me to continue this wonderful, exhilarating experience and tradition.

Words cannot describe all the emotions I have felt, I appreciate you all. I hope that each and every one of you has a flame that brings you back. Like waves, this time of year comes and goes, and it has been such a great honor being your Barkada Entertainment Company Coordinator for this year.

Kareng sablang atin ku, eku ipagpalit keng yatu.

Christie L. Young-Tayag Barkada Entertainment Company Coordinator 2024-2025

Good evening, family and friends, It is an honor and a privilege to welcome you to Barkada‘s 35th annual Pilipino-American Cultural Night. Thank you for taking the time out of your day to watch our wonderful show. Thank you for allowing your friends and family to take part in this cultural display whether it be in large parts, like acting and dancing, or even small parts that still count for just as much such as the costumes committee, graphic design committee, and especially one of the biggest groups of them all, stage crew.

When I first joined PACN and heard the veteran club members talk about the long late nights, but I wasn’t expecting as late as 1 AM which led to the early morning. Despite the long, frayed, tiring hours I would not want to have PACN 35 with any other group than the cast and crew I have with me tonight. Despite what happens on stage tonight I know that the hard-working headsets of these individuals will shine through. This year‘s PACN cast and crew are especially hard-working, passionate, and energetic. They look perfect for the craft as much as they can share the culture to their utmost ability while all having fun while doing it.

I specifically would like to shout out my family for letting me stay out late, making sure that I had food when I came home, or even helping with laundry, my costumes, or just showing up. I’d like to thank my friends for supporting me whether they are coming here tonight or reposting the wonderful post that our graphic design committee has created and like to take the casting crew of PACN 35 for making it such a memorable play and showing all the blood sweat and tears were worth it. I would like to thank the Lewis Family Playhouse for coordinating this event with us tonight. I don’t know what I would do without Lauren, Russ, Paul, and everyone on their cast and crew. Thank you for dealing with the amateurs. You’re the reason why we want to keep coming back to the Lewis Family Playhouse in Victoria Gardens. I also like to thank Ianna and Christie for believing in me and I’d like to thank Barkada for believing in me as your Community Logistics Coordinator. If you had told freshman me not knowing anyone that I’d be here tonight I wouldn’t have believed you.

Thank you very much and I hope you enjoy the show.

Aileen Janee Corpus Community Logistics Coordinator 2024-2025

Hello friends, family, and loved ones to Cal Poly Pomona Barkada’s 35th annual Pilipino American Culture Night titled “Itinadhana Ni Bathala”! My name is Aidan Ancheta and I am one of the Co-Presidents for Barkada’s 2024-2025 Executive Board.

It’s an incredible honor to write a message for the 2nd year in a row for Barkada’s PACN. Not only this, I get the pleasure of performing in the Lewis Family Playhouse again. What’s different about this year, however, is the lovely cast and crew that make it up.

PACN has always been made by the people for the people. Without the people there is no show, but more importantly there is no connection. There is no person to pass on tradition, no person to lean on, to cry with, to laugh together. So to the audience and Cast & Crew, enjoy tonight. Find your connections in this theatre that will only be filled with these exact people once.

Let’s wrap this up with some shoutouts shall we? First I would like to thank my mom, dad, and kuya. Even though I moved out the his year, you still continue to take care of your bunso. I love you all so much. To Wav-E Board, it’s been an honor serving as your President. To Baes Line, your fam head may be graduating but I’ll always be right around the corner. And finally a big thank you to everyone who shaped me into the leader you see today. Thank you all and enjoy the show!

Much Love,

Aidan Patrick Palomo Ancheta Co-President, 2024-2025 Good evening everyone, and welcome to Cal Poly Pomona Barkada’s 35th annual Pilipino American Culture Night! My name is Jayson Pacio. I am returning as one of the Presidents of Barkada and I’m glad to have the privilege of helping lead the 2024-2025 Executive Board.

This year, our production is “Itinadhana Na Bathala” and explores Filipino myths and folklore all while exploring the theme of family and love. Tonight’s show encourages us to look at some possible stories older family members might tell you to scare you in an exciting and dynamic way.

As always, our club looks forward to presenting to you a beautiful Filipino American experience. We are all here today to celebrate the culture, whether or not we are a part of it. That is, in fact, the most important aspect of the culture; our inclusivity and openness to anyone.

To my family and friends, thank you for the love and support you always bless me with.

To the cast of “Itinadhana Na Bathala”, thanks for giving these past months your all! It’s going to be another amazing show to remember, and keep in mind this is our work we are showing out here tonight. Be sure to not leave the stage with any regrets!

Jayson Pacio Co-President 2024-2025