On Oct. 28, Sweetwater Union High School District’s (SUHSD) 21st annual Magkaisa Conference was held by co-chairs, Rizalyn Marquez Cruz and Dinnah Donato-Palmore at Otay Ranch High School (ORHS). Magkaisa is a conference founded for Filipino youths and adults 21 years ago, to further connect to their culture and traditions. Cruz explains what Magkaisa means, and what the conference as a whole means to her.

“This conference is important for me because it calls for unity, in which ‘Magkaisa’ means unity. [This] means being united to attain one purpose, united to learn together, united to explore something new, united to solve a community issue, united in building a strong community, united in so many ways,” Cruz said.

Currently, Magkaisa offers numerous workshops for both students and parents to visit, including different forms of art from movies and dances, to careers and the acceptance of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and more (LGBTQ+) communities. Attendees are given two sessions, where they can attend one workshop per session. 

“[SUHSD became] united to respond to concerns that our Filipino youths were experiencing a high rate of suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts and gang involvement. The purpose of the first [Magkaisa] conferences was to bridge the gap between parents and youth and to affirm our [the community] identity as Filipino Americans by exploring what it meant through workshops,” Cruz said.

This year’s conference’s theme was “Keeping Our Culture and Identity Alive Through Art,” which is significant, as art serves as a cultural bridge for Filipino Americans. Cruz explains that the diverse workshops the conference offered are geared towards forms of how art can preserve heritage, foster personal cultural identity and promote cross-cultural understanding within the community.

“In the art of cooking, the art of fashion designing, visual arts and performing arts show Filipino culture like close family ties, such as going to church and praying together, as well as music and art. People cook food that they learn from their family, and the types of clothing worn by people from the past or from their tribe,” Cruz said.

There are other aspects including food, recreation and religious practices that shape Filipino art and culture. Cruz believes that keeping Filipino culture alive is important, as it is important for the next generation to understand where they come from, and who they are in the community, so they can pass traditions on to the next generations.

“Since I teach the Filipino language, culture is always a part of the discussion. I ensure that my students have a chance to experience culture at school. I am part of a community of Filipino language teachers, the Council for Teaching Filipino Language and Culture (CTFLC). This organization keeps me connected with my culture,” Cruz said.

“Our History is No Mystery,” is one of the many workshops hosted at Magkaisa, hosted by Bonita Vista High School (BVH) Counselor Reynila Calderon-Magbuhat. This workshop detailed the history of Filipinos who came to the United States (U.S). and how Filipino Americans contributed in different aspects of society. Calderon-Magbuhat emphasizes that Filipino American history is something that is not taught in the classroom.

“Unless you go to certain colleges and study [Filipino American history], no one really knows about it. But I think [Filipino American] history is just as valid because we live in the United States. We grow up here, you and I, our parents and our relatives, we are part of history too. We should not be separate from it,” Calderon-Magbuhat said.

Calderon-Magbuhat reminisces on how she did not learn much about Filipino American history until she took classes in college. She was grateful to be the speaker for the workshop she covered, and that people were interested in their own histories.

“I am delighted. I tried to encourage [the students and parents] to learn more [about Filipino American history] on their own. I like to provide resources so that they can learn more on their own. And whether they’re Filipino or not Filipino, it still makes me happy either way,” Calderon-Magbuhat said.

Hundreds of students were in attendance at Magkaisa, with energy running high in all in attendance. Cruz reflects on this sheer number and how students and parents were influenced by the workshops that they visited. 

“The students got inspired with new and fresh ideas, inspired to take non-conventional courses or non-traditional careers that are geared towards visual and performing arts. They meet new faces and friends from other schools in the district, broadening their academic and social skills. [The students] were able to take a break from their regular weekend, and perform or watch fiesta celebrations just like in the Philippines,” Cruz said.

ORHS Interim Principal, Steven Lazarraga, while not being Filipino himself, was also glad that Filipino students and parents attended the conference, and learned what their culture is and how they can practice it.

“I hope they just go home thinking that, ‘I am proud to be Filipino.’ You know, there is a lot of success that they can see for themselves, what could happen in terms of their teachers, our keynote speaker today was excellent. In terms of administrators in the district, you know, there’s a pathway for them as well if they continue to work hard.” Lazarraga said.