UPCSA wins Parangal sa Samahang Mag-aaral 2023
It is with great honor that we, the University of the Philippines Chinese Student Association (UPCSA), accept the 2023 Ignacio B. Gimenez Award for UP Student Organizations’ Social Innovation Projects Excellence Award under the Culture and Arts category. UPCSA President Morganne Gayle Lim received the certificate and plaque on behalf of the organization during the Parangal sa Samahang Mag-aaral 2023 ceremony held last June 20, 2023.
“Sino Tayo?!: Deconstructing, Rediscovering, and Redefining the Modern Chinese Filipino” began as the organization’s response to the emerging questions, issues, and taboos surrounding the Chinese in the Philippines. Despite their continual assimilation and growing representation within society, prevalent stereotypes and misconceptions fail to reflect the values of the Chinese-Filipino community.
Beyond the cultural festivities and social events regularly hosted by the organization, UPCSA found it necessary to initiate discourse on underlying themes of the Chinese-Filipino history, heritage, and culture. Through a series of educational webinars, “Sino Tayo?!” cultivated a deeper understanding of shared Philippine cultures, revealing the core of the Chinese-Filipino diasporic experiences.
Throughout the series, we were able to reveal the dynamic identity of the modern Chinese Filipino. The first episode, “Pua Iyam: An Examination of the LGBTQ+ culture in the Chinese-Filipino community,” featured under the UP Pride 2022 celebrations, tackled the taboo representation of the queer members of the community. The second episode, “Building Bridges: Unraveling the Cultural History of the Chinese in the Philippines,” in collaboration with the Alternative Classroom Learning Experience (ACLE) of the UP Diliman University Student Council, explored the long history of the Chinese in the Philippines and their value to our nation today.
The recognition of “Sino Tayo?!” and its contributions to Philippine culture reinforces the affirmation that the Chinese Filipino is another unique Filipino. This opportunity only calls for a more positive, accurate, and genuine representation of the community beyond typical academic settings. May this serve as a reminder for our fellow contemporary Chinese Filipinos to not only embrace and celebrate our shared heritage and culture, but to fearlessly and proudly live out their own unique identities.
The Parangal is the very first nomination and win of the organization in its 60 years of promulgating the Chinese-Filipino culture in the University and the community. This recognition could not have come at a better time as UPCSA celebrates its 60th founding anniversary, another significant milestone celebrated through our recently concluded anniversary celebration, “PaCSAbog: Still 60ing Strong.” It is a testament to the invaluable progress of the organization and its enduring relevance in the University and the greater community.
As we commemorate the multiple achievements of the organization on its diamond anniversary, we are also invited to reflect on its ongoing journey as a cultural and social institution. Through “Sino Tayo?!”, UPCSA reignites its purpose as an academic organization that builds bridges among communities and nurtures Chinese-Filipino relations. “Ang pagkilala sa ating kultura ay pagtukoy din sa ating identidad.” We recognize our distinct position and responsibility to incite change that transcends our identity as a university organization.
While we look forward to our next 60 years, we hold on to special moments such as this that define our organization and the memory of the people who made all these possible.
We take this opportunity to give thanks for the trust and support we received from the following institutions and individuals:
The Office of the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and the Office of Student Projects and Activities, who have always been supportive of our endeavors and recognize the value of the organization and its projects to the University and wider community.
The distinguished speakers of the Sino Tayo?! installments: Dr. Richard T. Chu and Dr. Ronald Baytan; and Dr. Tina S. Clemente and Madam Teresita Ang See for sharing their wisdom and exemplifying the best of the Chinese-Filipino spirit. As pillars of the Chinese-Filipino community, you inspire and encourage us to persevere in our mission of Chinese-Filipino cultural understanding in the community.
The UP Pride and University Student Council Alternative Classroom Learning Experience (ACLE) committees who provided us with a platform to share our diasporic experiences despite its niche focus. We hope to have added more color to the rich tapestry of the University community.
The UP Diliman Asian Center, our loyal and steadfast partner for the Sino Tayo?! installments, for sharing in our mission of promoting the awareness and appreciation of Asian history, culture, and heritage, including that of the Chinese Filipinos.
The UPCSA alumni who paved the way, slowly but surely, for every generation to pursue the aspirations of the organization on the strongest of foundations. Your shotis and shobes recognize the struggles that come with continuing our legacy and we wholeheartedly accept these challenges in our pursuit towards growth and excellence. We will see to it that you will always have a home in UPCSA.
The current UPCSA members, especially the members of the Research and Academics Committee led by Darwin Alexander Co, who have poured their hearts and souls into everything they do. None of us would have known that this little brainchild of ours would ever get this far, but through your passions and dedications, we have been able to see this through. Your efforts have not gone in vain and will forever be immortalized in the history of UPCSA.
And finally, our beloved faculty adviser, Prof. Jose Wendell P. Capili, Ph.D, who continues to impart his wisdom with fervent diligence and enthusiasm, for sharing in our triumphs and losses for 35 years and counting–this endeavor would not have been possible if you had not pushed us to reach for greater heights. Your silent yet decisive confidence in our humble organization means everything.
The UP Chinese Student Association stands on the shoulders of giants–pioneers, trailblazers, leaders–without whom we would not be celebrating today. No words can ever encompass our endless gratitude and appreciation for the people, past and present, who made this all happen.
May UPCSA’s 60th Anniversary be a reminder and challenge for us to embody honor, excellence, and compassion as we persevere to live out our Chinese virtues in service of the Filipino people.
We are the UP Chinese Student Association, always in the spirit of the Chinese Filipino.
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