PSFA Celebrates Filipino American History Month

October is Filipino American History Month

Find out what our team loves about their Filipino heritage:

Adrian Zachary Diaz
Academic Advisor 
School of Journalism and Media Studies

“I love how as a people we are committed to generosity and hospitality, welcoming anyone and everyone into our families regardless of actual relationships, and how we unequivocally and enthusiastically support any Filipino we see succeeding. Shout out to all of my fellow Fil-Am millennials that learned to play the ukulele in order to do a cover of We Could Happen by AJ Rafael.”

Dey Ilgan
Teaching Associate
School of Theatre, Television, and Film

“We have a vibrant culture – history, folklore, rituals, art, performances, food, language, and more! We also have a lot of influence from other cultures as well because of the early trade industry and other historical events, so we're often called a "melting pot" of cultures in Asia. Our land is rich and beautiful, and our people are good-hearted, hardworking, and joyful by nature. Filipinos also value relationships, whether it be family or friends, as we're a very social group of people. Even within the country, we have a lot of intersecting cultures because every province and region will have unique aspects about them as well. There are more than 7,000 islands in the Philippines, and there are over 120 languages spoken; one might expect an archipelago like us to be quite divided, but at the end of the day, we are all each others' "kababayan" (a Tagalog word that refers to a person from the same land as you). No matter where we are in the world, if we manage to find each other, we can instantly connect and feel the spirit of home. I'm a first-year MA Theatre Arts international student, so I am 100% Filipino, not half or mixed. Moving here for school has been quite the adventure, but SDSU already immediately feels like home.”

Samantha Beltran
Academic Advisor
School of Public Affairs

“I love how welcoming and open the Filipino community is. The community tries its best to be uplifting. “

Sarah Salonga
Teaching Associate
School of Theatre, Television, and Film

“I love that Filipinos are hospitable in the most generous way. You can find Filipinos around the world and no matter the occasion, you will always be welcomed with lots and lots of food, music, and dancing!”

Wilfred Paloma
MFA Musical Theatre, 
School of Theatre, Television, and Film

“We show love by offering food, and that food is a way to bring the community together. We are a singing culture.”