Remember
Our Identity & Experience.
Sarahlynn Pablo, Natalia Roxas & Lane Wilcken
Filipino Kitchen will facilitate a workshop exploring issues of history and identity in the Filipino diaspora as told through iconic dishes in Philippine cuisine.
Retelling/understanding the history of the Philippines & Filipino diaspora through food
James Beni Wilson & Daniel Moen
Filipino Adoptees Network members ; James Beni Wilson (FANHS Michigan member) and Daniel Moen will share their search and reunion experiences. We will share experiences as "FilAmpon"; coined by James Beni Wilson, which speaks about the Filipino American Adoptees raised by Caucasians and its similarities as 1st/2nd generation Filipino Americans.
#FilAmpon: The Filipino American Adoptee Experience
Joshua Marquez & Tristan Espinoza
Filipinos and Filipino-Americans lack adequate representation in Western society, specifically the United States. Cultural, institutional, and systematic racism has, historically, kept members of the AAPI community from advancing within the social hierarchy. The lack of Asian and Asian-American visibility is the consequence of these biases. For this workshop, we are focusing on the lack of Filipino/Filipino-American representation within the arts and media. We will share our experiences of expressing Filipino culture through music, visual art, and other forms of media. We will help participants brainstorm ideas on how they can voice their own cultural narratives with basic online and creative tools.
The Girl Who Sees is a role-playing video game that engages players with Filipino culture through its interactive storytelling. Targeted at Filipinos and, more specifically, Filipino-Americans of the diaspora, The Girl Who Sees allows players to see characters who looks like them in a prominent narrative for, perhaps, the first time. Because of colonial mentality and everyday discrimination, Filipinos living in predominately-Western societies are often discouraged from exploring or sharing their culture. Our goal, through this workshop is to encourage the participants to find their own ways of expressing their Filipino culture through the arts. Through sharing our experiences and creating an open brainstorming session, we hope to give the participants the tools necessary for them to walk away feeling empowered to make change. If we don't share our stories, who will?
Who Tells Our Stories? Sharing Filipino Culture Through Interactive Narratives
Why Run Away From your birth name?
Keiichi Koshino
Why is it necessary for us with such unique, cultural birth names to Americanize our names in this society and culture? Our name is our name, we don’t need to change our identity especially our name to assimilate in this American culture. In this workshop, we will explore the idea of staying true to our identity by keeping the very thing that makes us who we are.
Kenneth Stamper
Finding one's place in the world can be difficult, but being multi-racial, ethnic, or cultural adds an entire layer of complexity to this. Finding refuge among those with similar experiences as you is difficult when you're "too white" among Filipinos/other Asians and "too Filipino" with your American friends (using my own experiences as an example). When I first joined FASA Umich, there were several times where I felt like an outsider looking in, since I was half-white and half-Filipino. I was mocked for not pronouncing Tagalog words properly, for not knowing what adobo is, and for never having gone to the Philippines (not kidding). As Vice President- External of MAFA board last year, I pushed for MAFA to be more inclusive of those who aren't full Filipino's or Filipino at all. In this workshop we will share experiences discussing the strains of multiple backgrounds growing up, tackle the idea of "not being Filipino enough" and exclusion from the community, and, most importantly, celebrate our diversity and have fun getting to know each other. This workshop is open to all but, as you may have guessed, is focused around those who identify as multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, or multi-racial.
Multi- Cultural, Ethnic, and/or Racial: Where Do I "Fit In"?
Jan Mecano
Uuwi ako - what does this phrase mean to you? Explore what we, as Filipino American’s, consider to be “home”. Living in the United States we are sometimes considered outsiders, not truly Americans. We face disparity due to racism and are viewed as a minority. Yet, when we visit the Philippines, we are seen as Americanized and treated as tourists. We are still isolated from the native people. So where do we belong? How does this experience differ for those who are Philippine born? Or for our immigrant parents? Prior to coming to this workshop consider asking your parents or family members about their emigration story. What culturally relevant traditions or values did they hope to continue even in this foreign country? Bring their narratives and your own to engage in unlocking this quintessential part of our identity.
Balkibayan: The Journey “Home”
Anakbayan Chicago
Thought that martial law was a thing of the past? It’s not and it’s happening in the Philippines. Learn about why it’s happening, why it matters to Filipino Americans, and what we can do about it!
Marital Law: I Thought That Happened 45 Years Ago!
Brian Guerrero
This workshop is about intersectionality in culture, particularly Filipino and Filipino-American culture. What are the similarities and differences? Even within Filipino culture exists intersectionality through the various regions, provinces, and barangays. Whether it be modern day Filipino-American, indigenous, or even provincial culture, intersectionality exists to intertwine the relationships and aspects of humanity. This workshop will focus on connecting and deepening the understanding of both cultures while allowing delegates to explore their own understanding of identity and humanity.
In conjunction with the MFAS 2018 theme of rebirth, delegates will be challenged to explore their own identities. Filipino and Filipino-American cultures will be explored. Whether you are Filipino, Filipino-American, American, or another ethnicity, this workshop will help to bridge and deepen the delegates understanding of how cultures intertwine, impact and influence one another.
Intersectionality of Cultural Identities: Cultures Within Cultures
Lorena Buni
Filipino cultural groups often perform Indigenous dances from Igorot, Maranao, and Manobo tribes... but do we hear about the current conditions of Indigenous communities in the Philippines? This workshop will push the envelope beyond what we know of Indigenous communities back home and build bridges between our struggles as youth and students in the fight for representation, education and life.
This workshop is also in collaboration with Salupongan International, an organization supporting indigenous schools in the Philippines. Salupongan stands for"Unity" and "Solidarity" in Manobo.
Beyond Dance: Indigenous People's Struggle for Land and Life
Midwest Association of Filipino Americans Executive Board
This year’s MAFA interns will be collaborating in the creation of a workshop as their final intern project. The focus of their workshop is to advocate and discuss the Filipinx American identity in a creative and open environment. It is MAFA Board’s vision to promote the above and beyond efforts of the interns’ diverse perspectives.
MAFA Interns
Resolve
Politics. Activism. Social Justice. Civics.
The Role of Hip-hop in the Filipinx American Community
Samantha Dayon
BTS, Keone Madrid, and the Kinjaz. It's amazing to see Asian representation in the media. Hip hop (including both dance and music) is popular amongst Filipinx Americans in particular. However, many people fail to realize the promotion of anti-blackness as we continue to participate in these entertainment outlets. This workshop intends to discuss the misuse and appropriation of the African American experience by the Filipinx American community and the ways we can better work in solidarity with other communities of color.
*Please note: this is not a dance workshop*
Emily-Brielle Verzosa Liebau
Asian Americans are the least likely of any minority to report sexual assault and relationship violence. Here at Michigan State the time is up for students to feel unsafe and silenced, it's time to create a space for support in the midwest and beyond. Often times we shy away from this topic despite the need to understand it. This workshop is about learning how to PREVENT these instances from happening, to RECOGNIZE what sexual assault and relationship violence looks like, how to STOP being a bystander, and how to SUPPORT a survivor. We must educate one another to break the silence and stand together strong.
Educating and Empowering to Break the Silence
Happiness and Four Ways to Achieve It
Rio Villoria
Have you ever wanted to be happy? Yes, me too. Everyone deserves happiness, but sometimes it is difficult to attain. As young adults who are still learning to handle new challenges and responsibilities, the struggles of life can take a toll on our mental health. Through small group discussions, we will explore the benefits of adopting a positive mindset and learn about four ways that we can achieve it. This workshop is informed by the work of several researchers in the field of positive psychology, which seeks to understand the effect that one's subjective well-being can have on their life.
The Rebirth of Resistance
Ariana Cavallini & Kim Cagle
This workshop focuses on the history of Asian-American resistance as well as how it manifests in today's society. Although Asian Americans were coined as “model minorities” in the 1960's, many Asian Americans were aware that overcoming systemic inequality was not as accessible for them as people liked to believe. Seeing as how the model minority myth is still perpetuated as a weapon in today’s society, it is clear that Asian American resistance is not something that has been widely highlighted or acknowledged, even by Asian Americans themselves. By discussing the history of resistance and political movements that are relevant to our community, we can collectively acknowledge the importance of coming together to fight for liberation of any oppressed group of people. The program will consist of thoughtful dialogue, fun activities, and art!
Ron Ilagan
The Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Program (FILVETREP) is a bipartisan initiative to honor the efforts of Filipino and Filipino-American WWII veterans through community awareness outreach and civil action. In this workshop, we will discuss the impact Filipino soldiers had on winning the War, share stories on how the legacies of our ancestors affect us today, and the power civically engaged communities can have to affect change.
FILVETREP: Honoring Our Ancestors through Action
Shane Bernardo
Our foods and bodies have many stories embedded within them. Some of these stories are of struggle, survival and perseverance. The lessons of which keep us nourished as we seek to also address chronic health disease prevalent within our own families as well as the larger Philippine community. What is the connection between our physical health and our emotional, psychological and spiritual health though? Why is this connection important? What can these connections tell us about the importance of practicing, sharing and preserving our cultural traditions and food ways?
In this session, participants will learn the answers to these questions and apply them to their own lives, health and develop and deeper understanding behind some of our cultural foods from back home.
Healing Ourselves: Decolonizing Our Foodways
Jan Mecano
Uuwi ako - what does this phrase mean to you? Explore what we, as Filipino American’s, consider to be “home”. Living in the United States we are sometimes considered outsiders, not truly Americans. We face disparity due to racism and are viewed as a minority. Yet, when we visit the Philippines, we are seen as Americanized and treated as tourists. We are still isolated from the native people. So where do we belong? How does this experience differ for those who are Philippine born? Or for our immigrant parents? Prior to coming to this workshop consider asking your parents or family members about their emigration story. What culturally relevant traditions or values did they hope to continue even in this foreign country? Bring their narratives and your own to engage in unlocking this quintessential part of our identity.​
Balkibayan: The Journey “Home”
Andrew Bradley
Have you ever been asked a question or had a statement thrown towards you that felt racist or offensive? Have you ever intended to say something constructive or helpful, but the outcome delivered a different impact? Would you be able to detect when a micro aggression was stated or made?
This constructive presentation will show students how to address, handle, and respond to micro aggressive comments and behaviors. This presentation will introduce the concept of intent v. impact and how to be cognizant of oneself.
“No, But Where Are You REALLY From?”- Micro Intentions with MAJOR IMPACTS
Nina Cedro & Christian Paneda
The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) has created the Empowering Pilipino Youth through Collaboration (EPYC) ambassadors program to create a pipeline of young Filipinx American leaders to benefit the Filipinx American community at local, state, and national levels. This workshop aims to spark the conversation on what Filipinx American leadership can be in the Midwest, especially for collegiate organizing. We will discuss the importance of being a leader, the unique positions of Midwest Filipinx American experiences, and tangible steps that work towards building our community.
Of EPYC Proportions - Using our Midwest Filipinx Voice
RJ Quiambao
Presentation and discussion on contemporary representations of APIAs in the media, their implications, and what we could do about it.
APIAs in the media, stereotypes, and everyday activism.
Chicago Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (CCHRP)
From the fascist attacks of martial law or military rule in the Philippines that criminalizes Muslim and Indigenous Filipinos, extrajudicial killings in the drug war claiming the lives of over 14,000 people, and the all out war against the revolutionary movement -- to the fascist attacks in the United States targeting Palestinian human rights activists, enforcing police violence against the Black and Brown community, and forcing the undocumented immigrant community to live in fear of deportation. With the global economic crisis worsening and fascist attacks against the people increasing each day, it is imperative that we struggle against this at home and abroad. We’ll discuss all this, why it matters to the Filipino community, and what our role as Filipino and Filipino Americans is.
Stop the Killings and End Impunity: The Drug War in the Philippines and Police Violence in the United States
Georgette (Gigi) Estilo
Through this workshop, we will guide delegates to deeply understand what drives their current connection to their Filipinx community. We will address how they can find meaning in their identity beyond involvement in college. Additionally, we will discuss how to bridge their interests, professional life, and Filipinx Community. UniPro aims to give delegates the inspiration to move forward and contribute as a postgraduate. In this workshop, we will provide examples of how to continue to make their community a priority in their adult lives. Delegates will critically consider their power and privilege and how to utilize this to benefit their community and other communities.
To Infinity and Beyond: Connecting With the Filipinx Community Post-College
Kabataan Alliance
Last December, Typhoon Vinta hit the Philippines, the strongest typhoon since Super Typhoon Yolanda. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 555,400 people have been affected, 152,000 people remain displaced, 1,500 houses destroyed, 800 houses damaged, 164 persons confirmed dead and 176 persons remain missing. As Filipinos in the diaspora, how can we connect and serve our communities amidst the devastation? How can we take steps to offer relief and rebuild in our motherland? Come and learn about Kabataan Alliance, a national network of Filipino youth and student organizations dedicated to serving our communities here and in the Philippines. Hear more about our annual mission trips back to the Philippines and what steps you can take to help.
Relief, Rebuild, Rebirth: A Mission Trip to the Philippines
Terese Guinsatao Monberg & Sharon Chia Claros
This workshop provides participants with an introduction to histories of activism in Filipinx communities in the Philippines and the U.S. We will explore different levels of activism and advocacy to breakdown what social justice might mean in different contexts. The workshop is geared toward students who see themselves as activists and students who might be reluctant to call themselves activists. We end with a focus on intersectionality to focus on activism/advocacy for multiracial Filipinos as well as what it means to build coalitions with other APIDAs and people of color.
Carrying it Forward: Filipinx/American Activism, Advocacy, and Intersectionality
Rebirth
FilAm in Modern Society. Leadership. Inspiration.
Annabelle Tran Estera & Stephanie Mahnke​
This workshop will provide a presentation and a space to learn and dialogue about the complexities of Filipinx historical condition and what it means to be Filipinx in the Midwest. A history marked by multiple colonizations has led to a complicated Filipinx identity when it comes to language, spirituality, place within the API acronym (are Filipinos Asian, Pacific Islander, or Latino?), and more. We’ll start with a discussion of the Fil-Am pensionado program in the Midwest, a program in which government sponsored Filipinx students to study in the U.S. Next, we’ll transition to a discussion about what it means to work towards decolonization and why this is important. With this new lens through which to view one’s place in the world, we will end with a discussion of what reflections and actions this knowledge inspires. Throughout, we’ll engage questions such as: What does it mean to decolonize? What are our responsibilities as present-day APIA students, and what is unique about our positioning in the Midwest? What are the opportunities and challenges?
Filipinx-American Historical Legacies: Decolonize, Name, Reclaim
Andrew Bradley
Are you looking for that first ever internship? Are you ready to graduate, but seem to be having a hard time articulating your experiences to employers? How do you sell yourself in the first 30 Seconds at a career fair? Can you actually transfer your extracurricular/student involvement experiences to full time employment?
All of these questions, concerns, and challenges will be answered in this session and more. Bring your resume, cover letter, and questions to this presentation in order to take the next step in your personal and professional career!
Transfer Your Skills to Transcend Your Career & Beyond
Midwest Association of Filipino Americans Executive Board
We are continuously growing together as leaders. Work together with the MAFA executive board and other student leaders to gain the tools to make that happen!
Conference Within a Conference