Are you interested in experiencing various fun activities relating to Filipino culture throughout the school year? Activities ranging from making Halo-Halo (a sweet flavorful blend Filipino dessert), making Parols (Filipino star Christmas lanterns), eating a Kamayan Feast (a feast of grilled meats, rice and vegetables over banana leaves), going on field trips to universities and much more all take place in the Filipino Club! The Filipino Club at Armijo was previously hosted by club advisor, Mr. Mark Cayabyab, and this year the club is now being handed over to, Ms. Judy Hong, in G-8 during lunch every other Tuesday. Any student, regardless if you are Filipino or not, is welcome to join the Filipino Club.
There are many benefits to joining the Club. During lunch meetings, the club starts with a general overview of upcoming events and plays fun games such as trivia, all with free snacks and prizes. Besides the fun activities in the Filipino Club, the club also has special pre-college programs and scholarship benefits. Mr. Mark and Ms. Hong both believe the Filipino Club is a place to “learn more about Filipino heritage”, “spread friendships” and “reflect the diverse student body”. All of which help build cultural awareness and community. Ms. Hong emphasizes students who may not know much about Filipino culture should join to “immerse themselves in a new culture they are not familiar with.” Joining the Filipino Club exposes you to a fulfilling experience of Filipino food, culture and much more.
Mr. Mark mentions, although the club over the years has struggled to “maintain a consistent foundation of members” after distance learning, the first Filipino Club meeting this year has seen a massive increase in club members. “I was really really shocked, I did not anticipate the amount of students […] I’m hopeful that we see some consistency in the attendance of our events,” Mr. Mark expresses. He plans on revitalizing the club with fun activities to strengthen the attendance in the club. Ms. Hong is still new to being club advisor for the Filipino Club, so she is “still learning what [Mr. Mark] does and what [she] can do” to help revitalize the club. She has plans on adding to the foundation of activities Mr.Mark had previously created bringing in her own special touch.
