Frequently Asked Questions

 

Still have a question? Contact us at pce.cpslo@gmail.com!

Joining PCE FAQ

Q. How do I join?

A. To be a formally recognized member, you must fill out the general membership form and pay a membership fee!  All the information can be found here! If you would like to get to know us a little better, be sure to join our Facebook Group and catch us at our weekly general meetings and events!

Q. Do I have to be Filipino?

A. You do NOT have to be Filipino to be a part of our family (: Although many of our members are Filipino, we welcome anyone and everyone and invite you to share your culture! Our space is not only a space where we can share our Filipino pride and heritage, but also one where we can engage in cultural exchange and learn from one another’s different experiences as well.

Q. Is it too late to join?

A. Nope! Whether you’re a fresh WOWie, transfer student, or 5th year, it’s never too late to join at any time in the year! (However please keep close attention to announcements and deadlines as we only go through some of our programs, such as KAA, once every school year. You are still welcome to join in our events even if you were unable to participate in the KAA program!)

Q. When are General Meetings?

A. General Meetings are held every Wednesday at 8:00 PM!

Q. What do the membership fees cover?

A. A membership grants you the following benefits!

Eligibility for participation in:

  • Mentor/Mentee Program

  • KAA (Kuya-Ate-Ading) Program

  • Ating Himig - Choir

  • Kasayahan - Cultural Dance Troupe

  • Modern - Dance Group

  • PCE Intramural Sports Teams

  • PCN (Pilipino Cultural Night)

  • Executive Board Elections

  • Thanksgiving Banquet

  • Winter Formal

  • Senior Banquet

  • Friendship Games

  • Culture x Outreach Retreat

  • PCE Assassins

  • PCE Smash Ultimate Tournament

  • Graduation Gear

 
 
 
 
 

Misc. FAQ

Q. What is “Isang Bagsak”?

A. Every PCE meeting ends with a unity clap “Isang Bagsak.” 

Isang Bagask, or “one fall,” is adopted from a practice by Anti-Martial Law activists in the Philippines. To show unity, Isang Bagsak was powerfully proclaimed by a member of the movement and in unison, the community would make a loud sound either by clapping or stomping. As time has gone on, various activist organizations have borrowed the use of Isang Bagsak to show unity at their marches, protests, meetings, and events. Started by Artnelson Concordia, a teacher-activist-scholar, Isang Bagsak was combined with the Unity Clap, which some have attributed to the Farm Workers Movement.

The Unity Clap imitates a heartbeat,  starting with a slow clap and crescendo’s in a faster pace clap that culminates into someone yelling Isang Bagsak and the community ends with a single clap or stomp that overcomes any language barriers and shows their togetherness. PCE is a family, and when one falls, we all fall. When one rises, we all rise.

Q. Why the “P” in “Pilipino”?

A. “Pilipino” is how locals from the Philippines refer to themselves and their national language. “Filipino” is the Hispanized/Anglicized word used to refer to both the people and the language in the Philippines. With a few exceptions, most Filipino languages do not actually have an "F" sound.