by Ella S. ‘24

The Filipino Student Association (FSA) at Notre Dame recently celebrated Filipino-American History Month on October 18th in Pardini Park. This day holds particular significance for Filipino-Americans as it commemorates the arrival of the first Filipinos in North America. On October 18, 1587, the Manila Galleon Nuestra Señora de Buena Esperanza set sail and made landfall in what we now recognize as Morro Bay, California. Among the crew that landed were several Filipinos, then referred to as "Luzones Indios," marking the official commencement of the Filipino presence in the United States.

To commemorate Filipino-American history, FSA invited Notre Dame students to taste popular fruit drinks from the Philippines, including the flavors of coconut, mango, guava and calamansi- a type of lime native to the island. As officers of FSA played Filipino music, they offered students a chance to learn tinikling: a traditional Filipino folk dance involving rhythmic stepping over two bamboo sticks. Through this event, the cultural club helped foster a sense of unity between Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike to celebrate the vibrant Filipino-American culture.