Club History

Club Filipina was founded in 1986. Like today, it was created in order to provide a support network for anyone closely connected to the Filipino culture and to promote understanding of Filipino culture, history, and politics.

cooking Like in the present, cooking was a crucial component of Club Filipina. Why you may ask? Well, cooking is multi-functional. It can be a bonding experience or an escape from the humdrum of dining hall food. It can also bring a person back home or open up a whole new world for others. Club Filipina members have cooked anything from leche flan to polvoron, chicken adobo to spam.

Besides cooking, Club Filipina has also always promoted political and social awareness among its members. In March 2000, a group of Club Filipina members attended a conference in Tufts. These members had the opportunity to meet and speak with the former President of the Philippines, Fidel Ramos, who was the keynote speaker of the conference. He spoke about the need to reform the system of corruption among political and police officials in the Philippines.

Club Filipina has also aimed to educate others about Filipino culture and history, through flim-showings and lectures. In May 2000, Club Filipina showed the award winning film Jose Rizal, Philippine's national hero. Club Filipina also hosted a lecture given by Margarita Sundata, a famed 'zinester. Her lecture explored the various ways Filipino-Americans express themselves through the use of 'zines.

Finally, Club Filipina has always serve as a link for Wellesley students with an interest in Filipino culture to their counterparts in other colleges. Club Filipina members have attended several cultural shows in other colleges and universities.

Created by: Karla Calinawan and Jennifer Jhun
Date Created: 11/19/01
Last Modified: December 2001