Most recent general meeting flyer. FASA meets on Thursdays, 6:30-8pm in the Thousand Oaks room. (Photo Credit: FASA website)
Filipino American Student Association: 26 Years Strong at CSUN
Eight years before the founding of the Asian American studies department in 1990, 14 Filipino American CSUN students signed as the founding members of CSUN’s first Filipino American Student Association (FASA).
Today, 26 years later, it is the oldest Asian American association still standing, with over 50 members currently enrolled, largely Filipino Americans.
“Filipino Americans are the largest API (Asian Pacific Islander) group here at Cal State Northridge,” said Alan Aquino, Asian American professor at CSUN and alumnus of FASA, “there are well over a 1000 plus documented Filipino Americans, roughly four to five percent of the total (student) population.”
From Campus to Community
Since it’s founding in 1982, FASA has welcomed members from all ethnicities, further extending its belief to be a well-rounded Filipino American organization, developing its members intellectually, socially, culturally and politically.
“The club is open for everyone who is interested in learning about or engaging in Filipino American history and cultural,” added Aquino.
Within the club, FASA has established a “big brother, big sister” program, known as the “Kuya / Ate” program, in which older FASA members mentor younger, new members.
FASA also presents engaging events throughout the school year, notably is the “Students for Pilipino American History Month” (SPAHM) events, presented in October in honor of Filipino American Heritage Month. Various activities each week include comedy nights, poetry readings, dance performances and dramas.
Pilipino Cultural Night
Furthermore, in the spring semester, FASA presents “Pilipino Cultural Night,” (PCN), a musical drama incorporating traditional dance and comedy. This year, PCN will be presented on March 22nd, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Plaza del Sol Performing Center.
“Those (SPAHM and PCN) are just the highlights, every week we have weekly meetings, socials, workshops, guest speakers, study groups, and fieldtrips,” added Aquino.
FASA, in addition to having an engaged and participating current membership, it also has a large participating alumni base, which further enhances the club. In past years, FASA has been able to set up an online network, enabling current members to associate with FASA alumni in the career world.
On the home page: From the FASA website. (Photo Credit: FASA website)
CSUN’s Filipino American Student Association meets every Thursday from 6:30 to 8 pm at the Thousand Oaks Room in the USU. Please visit FASA's website for more information.
Eve Green is a junior majoring in Journalism and minoring
in Asian American Studies. Originally from Hawaii, Green has lived
in Los Angeles for 2 years. She hopes to continue to live here
and fulfill her dreams of working in public relations
for an Asian American organization.