From UPAA, Minnesota
by Pat Damasco Escobar

The results of the ON THE SPOT ESSAY CONTEST: �What It Means To Be A Filipino American�, which is conducted yearly during the UPAA Minnesota Independence Celebration, were recently announced.

The goal of UPAA Minnesota�s �Youth Program�, now in its 5th year for 3rd and 4th year Filipino high school students, is to encourage our youth to write how they feel about being a Filipino American. It helps them understand, appreciate, and value their rich cultural heritage and be proud of it while building their self-esteem and identity.

First Place Winner of the Essay Contest was 17 year old Eric Sumangil. Here is an excerpt from his award winning essay:

�I was born and raised here in America. But I never lacked �Filipinoness.� In our house we had the giant wooden spoon and fork in the kitchen, the wooden tinikling dancers in the living room. Everyday, I found hardened bits of rice stuck to my shirt from the breakfast I had that morning. My American friends always wondered what they had to eat whenever they came to my house always smelled like dried fish. Rows of tsinelas lined our doorway and we were consistently late to every event by at least 30 minutes... As you can see, I could go on and on, but that doesn�t even begin to describe what being Filipino is like. Being a Filipino-American means so much more.�

The Second Place Winner of the Essay Contest was 16 year old Richelle Limbag. Here is an excerpt from her award winning essay:

�A Filipino-American -- What does this mean? To me, it means many different things. Pride in myself, respect for others, and the opportunity to have a chance to live a more fulfilling and better life that our ancestors did not have the chance to experience. I guess to me, being a Filipino-American just means that you have grown up in a different area and atmosphere than your ancestors, but have still kept the spirit of being a true Filipino alive among your peers and family, as well as in your heart and soul.�

Third Place in the Essay Contest was shared by 18 year old Emily Calubayan and 17 year old Lorenze Francisco.

Another UPAA Minnesota event was the sponsoring of the University Staff Chorale (composed of employees of the University in Diliman, Quezon City) the only U.P. Chorale group recognized by the Board of Regents.

Friends congratulates all the winners of the Essay Contest as well as those who competed in the Bayanihan Spirit.