This was my first time experience taking steps in USD campus. It's different environment. What a day, so why not. To tell the truth, i didn't sleep at all the night prior, i was drunk, tired and went sober. No one ever noticed, good thing. All it takes was a cup of hot coffee.I was okay. I was committed, i knew i will go, the moment i said i will and signed the sheet, then i must go. That's how i am. It's like a promise. This was extra knowledge to gain by going to this event. This is part of my English 114 class trip.
The conference is entitled FUSO DEBUT (transition from the old to the new). Isang Pagitan, Dalawang Henerasyon (one gap, two generations). What was good about this successful conference was that there were different stages of school levels attended. There were group of middle high, high school students, college students on campus who held the conference, community members, educators and professors, role models in Filipino communities and others. I have my Bayan classmates who are not Filipinos that came like Marcel, Carlo, Patricia, and Chloe. It was nice to know that they got involved and were able to connect what we're studying in our Eng 114 class and for them to get to know that Filipinos has been a part of American History This conference is significant which could help all Filipino American with different generations to outreach and spread how we could preserve our cultural values and identity as a Filipino American. The word UGNAYAN they used simply means to connect or building a bridge the gap between the old and the new generations so that the young Filipinos would know what Filipino American would meant for them.
It was good to witness the opening speech of Ms. Arlie Ricasa. She had a very intellectual and encouraging speech. She shared a lot of her experiences and stories in relation to Filipino Heritage while she's growing up. Mr Felix Tuyay who once did a very entertaining presentation in our Eng114 class about Filipino American History and Immigration was there too and Mr Sal Flor who conducted a workshop in the conference.
The event is worth it. The Filipino food served for lunch was very good. I thought i was going to be sleepy and feel bored, like i mentioned earlier i didn't get to sleep the night before. i was surprised, it made me stay up. The trip was educational not just because it's part of our Eng 114 topic, for me it was a journey not just a day to spent a time but i learned more about family values, cultural values appreciation, and was able to witness how younger Filipino American generation can fill the gap by coming all together in one community. I do hope that there will have more events like these and see more Filipino educators emphasize the significance of Filipino Americans how it's been part of the history of Americans, also be able to introduce more Filipino History subjects as part of College and University curriculum.
