How the Magkaisa Filipino Club prepares for their culture night

The Magkaisa Filipino Club is having its 50th Pilipino Culture Night (PCN). This is a night that showcases Filipino culture through dances and a play all run by the club’s members.

They practice three times a week from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. going over everything for PCN.

The dances are taught by Florisse Raypon, best known in the club as “Auntie,” who helps students learn and connect with their culture.

“As a Filipino American, I kind of get lost in my more American side,” says third-year nursing major Christian Rana.

This is just one element of the PCN experience for club members. Not only do they have to learn and memorize dances along with the play they perform, but most are full-time students too.

“It is really difficult to balance school and PCN just because of the hours and my time with school,” says Razel Tomimbang, a pre-health nursing major.

First-year chemistry major Jason Nuesca has already found something that works for him, and it comes down to simple compartmentalization.

“I separate learning PCN and my actual schoolwork,” Nuesca says.

With most of the club members being health or chemistry majors, the performance in the classroom is just as important as on the stage.

The Magkaisa Filipino Club is having its 50th rendition of its Pilipino Culture Night on Saturday, May 11th from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Fresno High School’s Royce Hall.