See one for yourself - and you'll be inspired to learn more about your own culture.

PCNs showcase the various different dance suites that have influenced Filipino folklore throughout history.  As a member of a PCN audience, you'll notice the beginnings of indigenous Filipino dances which then move into suites that illustrate the times in which Filipinos experienced a wave of Muslim influence.  The strong Spaniard influence also is found in many PCNs, and many end with a suite dedicated to the American/modern influence of dances now found in the Philippines.

The story told in many PCNs usually reflect a contemporary issue that Filipino-Americans face at the time of the production.  From veteran affairs, to immigration law and discrimination, students use PCN as an opportunity to educate audiences about the current struggles Fil-Am generations face today.

In essence, my point here is that you don't have to be Filipino to be a part of PCN or even enjoy and benefit from watching one.  The diversity of the Filipino culture touches upon many parts of the world that entail influences from the Chinese, Muslim, Spanish and American cultures.  And the organic talent of students who are not everyday actors, musicians or dancers really puts a personal twist to the production overall.  Audiences are shown the magnitude of the issues addressed in PCNs, all of which are researched and illustrated through the scripts written by students. Real students, real people, real stories – Pilipino Culture Nights deliver this with the pure intention of celebrating culture…not selling tickets or products.

If you're a student interested in becoming a part of a PCN, you can become involved in many other things besides dancing, acting or performing.  Since PCNs are entirely student run, people are needed for everything from script writing, stage crew, lighting, sound, and production to marketing, promotion and fundraising.  The people you meet are great, and the relationships you start will be pretty lasting and meaningful since productions for PCNs usually begin happening at least 3 to 4 months before the actual event.  If you don't have a Filipino-American student at your org, don't be afraid to join one at a campus nearby, as many PCNs will allow other students from the community to join.

I'll post some upcoming dates of PCNs that I know in the area here for anybody in the so-cal area. Whether or not you are Filipino, you'll learn a great deal about a culture that is proud of its heritage in a very intimate way.

Here are some videos from my last PCN at Loyola Marymount University.