At PA, the Filipino American Cultural Society (FACS) stands as a beacon of cultural commemoration, celebrating diversity and embracing Filipino heritage within our school. FACS was first created as a club in Virginia Beach by Salem High School, and PA’s FACS was founded in 2018. This club has become an essential part of sharing Filipino traditions, history, and experiences at PA.
English teacher and sponsor of FACS, Pierre Dizon, acknowledges how the club has become a hub for students to connect and express their thoughts on Filipino culture. “[In this club] students have the opportunity for empathy and a venue to slow down and not think of IB or AP classes, and just get into who they are as people,” explains Dizon.
According to FACS President, junior Breanna Curameng, one of the most compelling aspects of FACS is its commitment to preserve and share Filipino heritage locally. “I want to have a community where people can show their culture and get people educated or connected with our culture . . . as there are a lot of [students] that didn’t grow up with a connection with Filipino culture,” says Curameng.
This club opens its doors to those who are intrigued by Filipino culture through events such as club meetings, potlucks that serve Filipino delicacies, exploring the history of Filipino culture, and visiting various local Filipino restaurants in Virginia Beach.
Many members express the importance of the club’s role in reconnecting with their roots while creating a welcoming space for all members to learn and appreciate Filipino culture. Curameng explains, “I joined this club because as a Filipino immigrant myself, I really wanted to share my culture and connect with any other Filipinos or [students] who are interested in our culture.”
FACS publicist, junior Deanna Bunch, for example, explains how she previously lived in California and Florida, but did not have the connection with her heritage like she has now in Virginia Beach because of FACS. “I liked the fact that there was a community in this school, and I can share my culture with other students,” explains Bunch. “I think it’s important to know more about other cultures.” In the future, Bunch describes how she wants the club to be more involved with the school and do more events then they have done before.
“I feel like I didn’t know a lot about Filipino culture, so this was a good opportunity to be more involved in it,” said FACS Secretary, junior Nicole Chen. She acknowledges how FACS makes students more aware of Filipino heritage. “We are always talking about something related to Filipino culture, like the last meeting we mentioned…local Filipino business to try to help support them.”
Another consistent member of FACS, junior Mason Marino, joined this club because of his appreciation of Filipino culture. “I went to Catholic school, so a lot of my classmates were Filipino, and I learned and experienced a lot of new and different things,” explains Marino. This year, Marino says he is excited to do another FACS karaoke night.
Looking ahead, FACS continues to expand their influence within the community as they try to plan for future meetings that mainly focus on cultural education and local unity even further. “I would like to have more open forums on what it means to be Filipino and our sense of culture. . . like a socratic seminar,” says Dizon.
