My inner identity has been the subject of my thoughts. I know for sure that I am Filipino-American male who loves the arts and plans to teach one day. However, I was never really sure about what my identity would mean for me in my life.
As a Filipino-American living in New York, I had to accustom myself to both American and Filipino cultures. My parents held off teaching me Tagalog just so that I can master the English language first even though they still spoke in Tagalog at home. With that, however, was a lost sense of identity. I had little knowledge of my culture - from history to language to traditions - and all I knew best about the Philippines only dealt with Filipino dishes.
By the time I started my freshman year in college, I was reluctant to be involved in the community. If I was being completely honest, I really wanted to be in Syracuse University since I was accepted, but my family could not afford to meet the cost of studying there and living on campus. So, I had to settle for the College of Mount St. Vincent. The only things I knew about my college were that it was a respected Nursing school and that many Filipinos attend classes there. I told myself that I would try and be more involved within the Filipino community. Had I known what I know now, I should have worked harder to be more involved in the Filipino community when I was younger.
I joined the Filipino culture club known as SAMAHAN (Students At the Mount Advancing their Humanity and Nationality). During freshman year, this club turned out to be my saving grace in more ways than one. Aside from its welcoming, family-like nature, the club taught me more about two things I sometimes struggle with - appreciation and giving back. I was welcomed with open arms in the group; adopted into a family that shared in my highs and lows while celebrating my achievements and talents. During the years, the club helped me develop leadership and public speaking skills. They also brought me closer to the part of my identity that I thought was being lost. Between my freshman year and now, I had the privilege of being on their Executive Board, and, most especially, they opened the doors for me as I came to learn more about Filipino organizations in other colleges in the East Coast. I attended conferences, moderated workshops, and even served as a Vice Chair for Filipino organizations. These were some of the things I had never thought I would actually do in my life.
This piece, however, is not necessarily about SAMAHAN; it is a celebration of the impact of cultural clubs. I think it was Mewtwo's famous words that sum this impact best.
I see now that the circumstances of one's birth are irrelevant. It is what you do with the gift of life that determines who you are. - Pokemon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back
I mentioned two things before: 1) I was never really sure about what my identity would mean for me in my life; and 2) Being in a cultural club taught me more about appreciation and giving back. These two factors would work hand in hand to produce an image I did not think about at times: Even though I may seem like a small person in this wide world, the impact of my actions span both time and distance. By that, I mean that though every action that we make to understand ourselves, appreciate life, and pay forward, we discover an inherent worth and purpose. It is up to us to discover this life-changing purpose and make the best out of it. This was the lesson that took me most of my lifetime to discover, and I am still learning more about it as I progress in life.
As I look forward to graduating from college in the Spring, I know that I will look back on joining SAMAHAN as one of the best decisions of my life. To those of you who are thinking about joining a cultural club, see the club as more than just a family or culture but as a classroom about your true self. Also, to the individuals involved in cultural clubs, I hope this story resonates with all of you.
