PASS 2014 Fall Recap

PILIPINO AMERICAN STUDENT SOCIETY

FALL SEMESTER RECAP2014

TABLE OF CONTENTS

message from president

message from vice president

eboard

new member spotlight

gbms

alumni weekend, FACT

rice bowl

philippine culture night

editorial

upcoming events

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MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT

Mabuhay!

Before my ambitions reached into becoming PASS President, I was given the opportunity to attend the NaFFAA National Conference at San Diego last summer. My expectations were initially one dimensional: enjoying all the amenities that California has to offer (the obligatory Jollibee visit for sure). An unintentional consequence of my trip was the life changing experiences I had at the conference. At the first ever NaFFAA National Youth Conference, Empowering Youth through Collaboration (EPYC), I met some of the brightest Filipino American youth leaders from throughout the U.S. Through interactions with these esteemed individuals, I was instilled with a sense of urgency that Filipino

American youth must embrace. As the children of a growing Filipino diaspora, Filipino millennials are tasked with navigating a modern complex society while still retaining the traditions that our ancestors entrusted to us. This cannot be achieved individually; only through combined efforts in our community and outside them may we succeed.

As I stepped into my role I sought to facilitate networking for PASS in hopes that our members can also learn the importance of their roles as actors of the new generation. Our events this year such as our second annual Philippine Culture Night, the Halo Halo Variety Show, and a multitude of diverse GBMs, have given PASS members the opportunity to experience the impact that our community can have when we work as one pamilya. The connections PASS members have created through the conferences and MAFA school trips this year are an example of how seemingly displaced communities can create solidarity through the power of our values and goals. As PASS continues to strive for more involvement within the community, I urge readers as well to think outside of their individual roles and see the potential that unity brings.

Regards,

Ron Ilagan

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MESSAGE FROM VICE PRESIDENT

Hello to my lovely PASS family! I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday season as much as I did. Fall 2014 was a great semester for our organization, and I am very proud of the accomplishments and strides our young e-board has made. Our executive board set goals this year to focus on what it means to be a part of the PASS pamilya. So I believe our main focus in Fall 2014 was to recreate and focus on gaining and maintaining a strong membership. My experience with PASS has been very fulfilling and I believe my past three years with the organization have really given me the chance to see what it is like to have a family a part from my loved ones back home. Through the years since I joined, I saw some of the members come and go and those I was closest with graduate

and move away. It was difficult to see a few of the remaining members bond as one unit sometimes and I believed this is why we needed a spark of a new era. Throughout the fall semester I saw constant bonding with the younger members and not only because they were members of PASS, but because they truly believed each person was a part of their home away from home; their pamilya. I am so pleased to say we have recreated the connections PASS needs to always continue as a welcoming and open organization. We are a strong organization and I am excited to see what will be in store for them in the future years to come.

Though this is my last and final year at Michigan State and as an executive board member of the Pilipino American Student Society I would like to say a few last words to all PASS members past and present. For present, do not believe a goal is too large for you to accomplish and an obstacle is too difficult to maneuver past. You all are more capable than you think and working as a unit will make achieving your goals easier to reach. For past, I believe once we leave MSU we sometimes forget what it means to be a part of PASS. I urge you all to come to any of PASS’ future events and hopefully you will experience some memories from your past time being an active member of the organization. Isang Pamilya, Isang Mahal!

Michelle Francis

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2014-15 EXECUTIVE BOARDV

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YEAR SeniorMAJOR Communications

FOOD YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT

FIRST THOUGHT WHEN YOU WAKE UP

FAVORITE PASS MEMORY

Should I try to make it to class today or not? I’m gonna sleep 20 more minutes I swear

First FACT my sophomore year where PASS had all the MAFA schools for a party 2 nights in a row

A tie between pizza, sushi and pasta, but not together

Living in Long Beach, CA still working as an account manager and going to grad school. With a condo and a French Bulldog named Marley or Lola. In a steady relationship (maybe), fluent in Spanish, retire my POS Kia (Betsy) and put about 4-5 stamps on my passport.

A lock-in all night at IM Circle with a dance marathon, sports, snacks and movies.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 5 YEARS

DREAM GBM

michelle francis

YEAR JuniorMAJOR Interdisciplinary Studies in Health & Society



FAVORITE PASS MEMORYIt’s too early

MFAS 2014

Sinigang

Either in grad school or working in Chicago

Getting a famous Filipino activist to speak, such as Jose Antonio Vargas


DREAM GBM

ron ilagan

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2014-15 EXECUTIVE BOARDFU

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ISIN

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YEAR SophomoreMAJOR Japanese



FAVORITE PASS MEMORYDo I have time to sleep more?

Everything about FACT 2014

Rice and vegetables

Hopefully with a job that lets me travel between Japan and the U.S.

A lock-in GBM starting with learning a bit about old Filipino games and past times, then everyone has fun and plays games while eating delicious Filipino food


DREAM GBM

loureen prudente

YEAR SeniorMAJOR Psychology



FAVORITE PASS MEMORYGod my dreams are better than reality

FACT club party and drinking in the morning and chilling with everybody

Sashimi

Coaching or teaching something I value a lot to others, and living in Las Vegas.

A Vegas-themed GBM with a sashi spread while everyone talks about the dreams they had last night


DREAM GBM

kyle smigelski

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2014-15 EXECUTIVE BOARDP

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YEAR JuniorMAJOR Computer Science



FAVORITE PASS MEMORYFive more minutes

MFAS 2014

Stir fry

Hopefully working full time in a big city after obtaining a graduate degree

Laser Tag


DREAM GBM

andrew davenport

YEAR SophomoreMAJOR Biomedical Laboratory Sciences



FAVORITE PASS MEMORYMy bed is too comfy to leave

Winning Rice Bowl like a champ

Sushi

In another country, exploring the world and providing healthcare for the less fortunate

A GBM in the Philippines


DREAM GBM

maesee lor

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2014-15 EXECUTIVE BOARDS

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YEAR Senior

YEAR Sophomore

MAJOR Creative Advertising

MAJOR Finance







Three more hours...

I need food

FACT 2013 with my then future boyfriend and FACT 2014 with Michelle trying to make the most of our last year of college

40 Hands night

Cheese

Rice

Working in a big city, with my German Shepherd, and hopefully traveling the world

Traveling around the world

A Filipino dessert bar on the beaches of Boracay

A GBM with a ton of Filipino food



DREAM GBM

DREAM GBM

Alex abalo

NICOLE RAMOS

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2014-15 EXECUTIVE BOARDE

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YEAR SophomoreMAJOR Hospitality Business



FAVORITE PASS MEMORYUgh I have class

Meeting everyone at Andrew’s apartment and wall twerking before I knew anyone

Fried rice

Working in Asia or touring colleges as a musician

A huge buffet


DREAM GBM

bao tong

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NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

YEAR Sophomore

YEAR Freshman

MAJOR Advertising

MAJOR Hospitality Business

WHY DID YOU COME OUT TO PASS

WHY DID YOU COME OUT TO PASS

KUYA

ATE/KUYA

WHAT DO YOU IDENTIFY AS

WHAT DO YOU IDENTIFY AS

Josh Cabatu

Maesee Lor and Jerry Vedua

I identify as an Asian American/Filipino American who has conformed to everyday American life without losing their Filipino roots in the process. For example, my parents and grandparents.

I identify as Taiwanese American.

I came out to meet fellow Filipinos and because my parents actually met in a Filipino group when they were in college. They met each other in a tinikling group!

I came out to PASS for the family atmosphere due to my ate’s (Maesee) constant invitations lol.

My favorite memory would have to be emceeing for Halo Halo, that was a thrill, scare and a great experience all in one and I had a blast up on stage.

My favorite memory was bonding with everyone at FACT and at every other social event we’ve had this year!

FAVORITE MEMORY WITH PASS

FAVORITE MEMORY WITH PASS

matt navarra

joe sun

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GBMS

On February 19th, PASS hosted a general body meeting titled “Isang Pamilya” (one family). The theme of the meeting was to discuss how Pilipino family members interact with one another. PASS E-board members broke up into multiple stations containing different information. Topics that were discussed included: common Filipino phrases, extended family, respectful greetings (Mano Po), and Filipino parents. After each member attended all the stations, groups participated in pre-made skits. The skits were entertaining and encouraged members to use their newly learned Tagalog words! Overall, PASS received great feedback from its members and enjoyed presenting this cultural focused GBM.

On October 16th, PASS held a general body meeting titled “So You Think You Can PASS?” The objective of this meeting was to showcase Filipino cultural dances. PASS E-Board members split up into three stations and taught Tinikling, Eskrima, and Modern dances. After the activity, background information on Tinikling and Eskrima was discussed. New members were exited to learn cultural dances as well as get their first taste of PASS Dance Crew. To top off this event, pizza and pop was served at the end!

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ALUMNI WEEKEND

FACT

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Alumni Weekend was a success. Many alumni made it out to the tailgate then followed with festivities of watching the game. Alumni from across the country came to bond with current and new members of PASS.

Filipino Americans Coming Together Conference hosted by UIUC PSA. This weekend contains a variety of workshops highlighting Filipino culture, a variety show encasing Filipino American talent, an afterset party, and once in a lifetime memories. This year the conference had JR Aquino as a headliner and many amazing performances by UIUC Barkada, OSU, and other MAFA affiliate schools.

RICE BOWL

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Rice bowl is the one day competition against Umich FASA at alternating schools, either here or at UMICH, where current members of both organizations compete in a variety of sports. This year MSU PASS finally took home the Rice bowl, where it belongs, after a long 5 years. We won in football, basketball, and the tie breaker: food eating.

PHILIPPINE CULTURE NIGHT

In collaboration with Destiny Rescue, PASS was able to raise and contribute money to help the effort of rescuing children from human trafficking. With the help of donations and fundraising from this event, PASS was able to make over $800! The second annual Philippine Culture Night had a successful turnout with lots of support from our fellow Midwest American Filipino Association members as well as family and friends. The night was filled with various wonderful cultural performances, performances by members of PASS as well as our affiliated organizations, and the president of Asian Pacific American Law Student Association, April Liwanag as our keynote speaker. Their lovely performances were a show of what we believe embodies the Filipino-American culture. The event finished off with some delicious home-cooked Filipino food and nice conversation with family and friends.

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EDITORIAL“Every Spartan has a story.” Through my time here at Michigan State, I’ve had the privilege to meet hundreds of these unique individuals. All coming from different walks of life, each headed their own way, every Spartan in the process of making their own story. And if the motto holds true, then as freshman we are pronounced authors. And if you were like me as a freshman, then you were the worst author ever; the type of author who never attempted to write in his book, leaving all pages blank, with no story to tell because he lived the same boring day, EVERYDAY. With no inspiration at all, I let fear and anxiety stifle me from getting out of my comfort zone. It would just be me, in my dorm room, with my thoughts, and my weird roommate.

I’m sure some can relate when I say college can be the most intimidating academic/social experience you’ve ever come across. The first year of college is chaotic, especially if you arrive on campus not knowing a single soul. It’s just you and fifty thousand other students, “now what?”

I grew up out of the country as a military child, going to school with other kids who shared the same reality, so we had lots in common. Needless to say, coming to America was a bit of a culture shock, leaving me stifled in my dorm room. Eventually I grew sick of living the same day over and over, so boredom overcame my anxiety. I started viewing fear much differently. It seemed much more compelling to try something new or something I feared, than something I was used to. At least in this sense, it would be more stimulating. So like an internal compass, I used fear as my direction toward everything I did. I realized once I embraced fear, every ounce of dumb, useless, self-pity I had would wilt away into something laughable. Fear can be used as a guide getting you closer towards the person you really want to become, and the life you really want to live.

I began introducing myself to more people; in my dorm, at the gym, and at the cafeteria. I realized that as a teenage kid with really nothing to offer, the most valuable thing you have is your smile. Cheesy I know, but people love to be surrounded by young vibrant energy. I kept this thought with me and pretty soon I was making lots of friends who led me to meet lots of other friends and so on. I joined IM leagues, study groups, and dabbled in different clubs. I had gym buddies, drinking buddies, salsa buddies, travel buddies, and rave buddies. I rushed a predominately white fraternity and joined a business venture full of elderly professional Indians. I was traveling across the U.S., public speaking and learning face-to-face sales for the first time. Through each thing I involved myself in, I made a network of friends who had the ability to lead me to new and other compelling experiences. Eventually one of my friendships led me to PASS, the most compelling of all experiences.

PASS is where I met a group of diverse young individuals, just like me, of Asian and American influence. It felt like home. The people I met were hardworking, non-judgmental and trustworthy. They accepted everyone for their differences and treated one another as family. I never had siblings growing up, but now I feel like I do. And not just in Michigan but across the Midwest. Whether you signed up for the AKA program or not, PASS is all open arms and will treat you just as any brother or sister would. I have no regrets about PASS, except that I didn’t join sooner. I’m glad to be ending my senior year as part of the PASS generations.

In summation, each social experience I had in college helped me learn a little more about myself and a little more about what I valued. My comfort zone was pushed and my sense of self grew. And as the author of my own Spartan story, all I had to do was start writing. Eventually my inspiration led me to the wonderful people of PASS, who I now consider family. Many would describe college as the fastest, most stressful, four fun years of their lives. The same cliché we hear time and time again. Describe it how you’d like, but the Spartan experience is nothing near one. I am proud to be a Filipino American and I am proud to be a Spartan. How will you write your story?

Yours Truly, Kyle Smigelski

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UPCOMING EVENTS

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cultural vogue

TAGUMPAY

SENIOR ROAST

DATE Friday, April 10

DATE April, TBA!

DATE April, TBA!

TIME 5:30 – 9:30 p.m.

TIME TBA

TIME 7:00 p.m.

PLACE Lansing Center

PLACE TBA

PLACE Vincent Chin***Prior festivities to be announced

Be sure to come out to Cultural Vogue this year!

Our talented choreos (Andrew Davenport, Jerry Vedua, and Bao Tong) have come up with some great stuff!

Documents

PASS 2014 Fall Recap