A Filipino Return to Tradition

For the first time since 2019, PSA brings back PCN

By Francis De la Fuente

Photo Credit: PSA

This past February, Morea’s own Pilipinx Student Association held its own PCN, or Pilipinx Cultural Night. PCN is an event that features a story told through characters and dance, celebrating the culture of the vast islands of the Philippines. 

This PCN marks a key milestone for the club, as it’s the first time a PCN has happened since 2019, before the pandemic. Months of planning go into organizing PCN, making the script, and learning the dances, such as Pandanggo sa Ilaw, a dance in partners where pairs balance candles while they dance, and coming to practice. 

Photo Credit: PSA, featuring Panganggo Sa Ilaw, a Filipino dance roughly translating to “Dancing in the Light” traditionally only lit up by candles or lamps

This year, the plot for PCN revolved around a family that was planning for a Debut, a Filipino cotillion meant to celebrate a daughter’s 18th birthday. The daughter, however, isn’t too connected to her culture; however, with the help of her family, she learns that her cultural identity is still a part of her, even if she’s learning it late. 

Looking into the future, the Pilipinx Student Association plans on hosting a PCN yearly, making it a regular celebration of Filipino identity, culture, and values. Whether you’re Filipino or not, be sure to keep your ears open next year for a chance to pitch in for PCN and join the Kapamilya! (that means family)

Big thanks to Mariner parent Dave Bermudez for recording this year’s PCN performance; the link is here if you’d like to watch!