UCB's Pilipinx American Association Presents

What is Pilipinx Cultural Night (PCN)?

PCN, or Pilipinx Cultural Night, is a student-run theatrical production hosted by UC Berkeley’s Pilipinx American Alliance (PAA). PAA's PCN, the longest running cultural show on campus, is among the longest running PCN's in the nation, with San Francisco State University's being the longest. The production allows participants to explore their Pilipinx identity through creative mediums such as dancing, acting, and music. Through PCN, we hope to provide a creative space for our cast to learn and grow. At UC Berkeley, PCN is a platform for activism and education on Pilipnx history, culture, and current issues.

History of PCN

Formerly known as the Filipino Student Association, Pilipinx American Alliance was formed as a result of the Third World Liberation Front in 1969. Starting at SFSU and eventually reaching UC Berkeley, the Third World Liberation Front was a collective of multiracial student organizations that fought for the inclusion of an ethnic studies curriculum to combat the exclusion of nonwhite students in academia. PCN started in 1976 at the YWCA on Bancroft and Bowditch. The original show was a community dinner with traditional/folk dances that included a cast of about 10-15 members. In the 1980s, the show evolved into a full-scale performance, and by 1989, the Pilipinx American Alliance became the first student group on campus to hold a performance in Zellerbach Hall. Since then, the UC Berkeley Pilipinx community has continued to foster the annual tradition of Pilipinx Cultural Night.

PCN 47: Fourth Plate at the Salu-Salo

UC Berkeley's PCN Digital Archives

Welcome to PAA's Digital Archives! This is a brand new aspect of the production brought to you by this year's PCN associates! We have worked throughout this semester to put this website together and within it, you can find pictures and information about past PCNs at UC Berkeley. There is so much history in the 47 years that PCN has run at our school and we wanted to highlight it. Our hope is that this is an ongoing project that future associates can continue and keep the memories of PCN alive. Please enjoy!

Sincerely the PCN 47 Associates,

Anja Magsombol, Madison Urot, Danielle Avelino, and Jessica Tablante

archives

*This archive is an ongoing project. Only productions we have archive material for are included. If you would like to contribute archival work, please email us at paa.calpcn@gmail.com.

Meet the Creative Team

Producers

Vanessa Villegas | Justine Oribello

Welcome to PCN 47! For the past 47 years, the UC Berkeley Pilipinx Community has gathered to honor our heritage and identity with Pilipinx Cultural Night (PCN). This cherished tradition, which originated in 1976, has become a rite of passage for countless students who discover lifelong friendships and explore their Pilipinx identity through creative expression.

This year's production is being held outside of Zellerbach Hall for the first time since 1989. Although this decision was not made lightly, we are thrilled to have found a space that truly honors and respects our community. We understand that change can be daunting, but we are proud to have taken this step forward. With this move, we reaffirm our commitment to fighting for the recognition and space that our community deserves on the UC Berkeley campus. Rest assured that the vibrant essence and energy of PCN that you know and love is still very much alive and thriving, and we can't wait to share it with you today!

PCN 47 is the fruit of passion and countless hours of practice from our dedicated cast and crew. To each person on the Creative Team and PCN 47 Cast, we express our deepest gratitude for your dedication and hard work. From a simple idea, you have breathed life into a production that now stands before us. Together, we have woven a tapestry of beauty and meaning, a reflection of the spirit that fuels our community.

PCN embodies the spirit of community strength and love, and we are honored to present this year's production with the unwavering support of the Pilipinx American Alliance and the wider Pilipinx community who have supported us every step of the way. Without them, this production would not have been possible. Together we have created something truly special, a testament to the power of community and the boundless creativity that lies within us all.

On behalf of our Cast, Creative Team, and Pilipinx American Alliance, we thank you for being here with us, for lending us your ears and your hearts. We sincerely hope that you fall in love with this production as much as we have. Thank you and enjoy the show!

The Melodic Maestros. The Rhythmic Revolutionaries. Tapping into the creative dimension, Music Composition brings PCN to life through original compositions, producing and arranging music for the show. Providing music, the space between the notes, we believe music has the power to say what words can’t. We hope you enjoy what we have to say and the celebration of our art and culture.

Writing Team

A space of passionate conversation and gentle creativity, the PCN 47 writing team held each other throughout the most challenging times. The writing room has been nothing but filled with light and forgiveness for the past eight months. Under the guidance of writing directors, Ava Guihama Olson and Silayan Camson, we lovingly produced a script that carries our collective memory and dream for one another. We are proud to present this dream onstage for the Pil community, and hope that our creative vision resonates with you all.

Writing Director, Ava Guihama

Writing Director, Silayan Camson

Writer, Isabela Colmenar

Writer, Joanna Tanap

Writer, Katrina Manaloto

By discovering Philippine history and culture through dance, PCN 47’s Cultural Component serves as an outlet for our community to discover the movements of selected Philippine dances. We strive to go beyond the performative aspect of cultural dances to truly learn about the intersectional aspect of each dance’s origins, people, political and historical context, and more! Each selected dance was intentionally chosen to interweave with PCN 47’s story and dabbled into the themes of resilience, cycles, timelessness, and generational care. We have collaborated with and adapted our renditions from LIKHA-Pilipino Folk Ensemble, Parangal Dance Company, and Little Manila Dance Company to bring these dances to life. We hope you enjoy our journey of Philippine history and culture through movement!

Technical Directors

Darius Molina | Lanah Duque

Lights STANDBY! Audio READY! PCN 47 GO! Tech Crew works behind the scenes to ensure that PCN not only runs smoothly but brings our Creative Team's vision to life. We collaborated with each CT component to integrate their ideas into the show. You may not see us much, but you’ll definitely feel our magic!

Stage Directors

Stage Designer, Matthew Apostol | Stage Managers, Sophia Cantuba & Gabrielle Reyes

A PCN without Stage is like a giraffe with a short neck: No backbone, no capacity for gathering, and maybe a deer in the headlights! That’s because we structure rehearsals, organize component practices, and manifest Writing Component’s vision on stage— duties which branch out to support everyone within PCN, whether it be allocating space for our dancers, or sourcing particular ipad case types for our actors. Detail orientation is the key to bringing Lola’s Kitchen and component cohesion to life—with that meticulous detailing within logistics and scenes motivated by passion, love, and joy from the moment we flicker the lights on early morning for All-Cast practice; and then create our sets to fill the entire camera; before finally, synchronizing our heartbeats under the dim light backstage, and telling our Stage Ninjas, “Action!”

Artistic Directors

Alexandria Literato | Nyah Dominguez

Doesn’t our cast look beautiful on stage? From vision boards to spread sheets, the Artistic Directors are responsible for integrating the different performance and stage components by acting as liaisons and visual designers. They help the various components understand and maintain cohesion of the production’s script, themes, and vision. Alongside the other directors, they work to ensure the overall aesthetic of the show and coordinate a fully integrated script. They have also developed and curated the performance attire, from color selection to the quick changes and seamless transitions you see in the show. They’ve also assembled the Aesthetics Team, a wonderful crew to assist the cast in ensuring their hair, makeup, and attire looks as beautiful as they are!

Associates

Danielle Avelino | Madison Urot | Anja Magsombol | Jessica Tablante

All-Cast or CT? How about both? You can find us somewhere between All-Cast and CT! Dance? Artistic? Cultural? Anytime a component needs a helping hand, we’re ready. As we shadow members of CT, we gain a deeper understanding of what takes to organize a production and how each component is necessary to feel that #PCNmagic. This year, in efforts to preserve PCN history we have been working on a PCN Archive Website to share the narratives of past productions and highlight PCN 47. We hope you enjoy the website we have worked so hard on, and please enjoy the show!

Choir Director

Digital Design & Media Directors

Digital Design, Daniell Galang, Sulphine Susie Odio | Media Coordinator, Kevin Castor Merchandise Coordinator, Adrian Yumul

Unleash your creativity and let your imagination run wild! From logo ideation to photoshoot execution, from printing posters to designing this program that you're reading, from recording interviews to designing apparel -- we love to work with the PCN theme and brand! This year, DD&M was split into 5 sub-components: Camera Crew, Graphic Design, Publications, Marketing, and Merchandise. By intertwining the creative efforts of each sub-component, our job is to tell the story of the PCN process with typography, color, graphics, video, and everything in between. We hope you enjoy the show!

Wellness Coordinators

Acting Director

Calista Samiley

PCN 47’s Acting Component works to bring the script into life. This component has been working days and nights to interpret the characters they portray, memorize their lines, and perfect the blockings. Our team hopes that our acting will open doors into the hearts and minds of everyone who have a lot of things unsaid. We are excited to show the community what we have been working hard on!

Finance Chairs

Mark Yuzon | Megan Tecson

Funding? That's us! Any financial issues? We are here to help you! If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, contact us at PCN-PAA-5447! As the Finance Chairs, we do our best to make sure PCN is as fun and affordable as it can be. We ensure that every student participating in PAA and PCN events can enjoy their time without having financial issues.

Special thanks to Daniell Galang and Jacob Azurin for all photos

PCN 47 All-Cast

Acting

Kapag-ani

Cultural | Trays

Kapag-ani

Cultural | Hats

Pandanggo sa Ilaw

Cultural

Modern Dance

Aesthetics

Camera Crew

Kapag-ani

Cultural | Knives

Kapag-ani

Cultural | Sticks

Tiklos

Cultural

Band

Stage Ninjas

Graphic Design

Kapag-ani

Cultural | Planters

Kappa Malong Malong

Cultural

Tiklos

Cultural

Choir

Tech

Publications

PCN 46: Salamin ng Puso

PCN 46 tells the story of a family searching for and redefining "home." Lila, an artist, is preparing to leave for New York with her partner Hiraya, in search of opportunity. In Act I, Lila struggles to tell her mother, Uma, and her grandmother, Anya, about the move. Frustrated, Lila faces internal and external conflicts with Hiraya, Uma, and Anya. As Lila is met with mixed reactions— Uma's defensiveness and disapproval, in contrast to Anya's support and care—these women are forced to reckon with the lifelong, generational traumas that have been interwoven in their "normal lifestyle." Looking into their destructive family, we get a glimpse into how this cycle has rendered them both victims and perpetrators, simultaneously complicit and hurt. Amidst building the foundations, they reflect on themselves and one another, in pursuit of new definitions of home, new ways to love and be loved. The characters and audience are called to ask: "What does love look like? To what extent is it hereditary? How do we break cycles?"

PCN 46 Photo Archives

(Courtesy of Mariah Moneda)

PCN 45: Sa Ilalim ng Araw

PCN 45’s title, “Sa Ilalim ng Araw,” translates to “Under the Sun” in Tagalog. The phases of the Sun mimic our own lives, constantly changing and going through the motions. Far too often, we can take the pacing of our lives for granted and miss chances to simply bask in the moments before they soon set. Here, we showcase glimpses into the lives of the characters whose stories have been lovingly crafted.

Aside from the virtual aspect of PCN 45 setting it apart from our predecessors, we have also emphasized personal component projects and a documentary wherein our talented directors collaborated and produced their own material to present.

United under the themes of “Transformation, Yearning, and Realizations,” we honor our past, tend to our present, and prepare for our future guided by our virtual experience of life as we currently know it.

This year, while we are separated by screens, we hope to offer solace in our virtual community space as we realize more and more each day that we are all under the same Sun.

PCN 44: Mula Sa Buwan

*Unfortunately due to the unforseen COVID-19 pandemic, PCN 44: Mula Sa Buwan was cancelled. We still acknowledge and honor all the hard work put into this show.

PCN 43: Malaya

*Unfortunately, we do not have the playbill or synopsis for PCN 43, but if you were in PCN 43 and would like to send us archives, please contact us!

PCN 43 Photo Archives

PCN 42: Umaalab

It’s Christmas time and the Bautista family is gathering in the Philippines for the annual barrio festival. On one side are the Filipino-Americans; Melinda, an overseas Filipina worker (OFW) who strives for perfection, Huey, her lovable husband, and Geoffrey, her charming yet troubled and overachieving son. On the other side are the native Filipinos; Nestor (Melinda’s younger brother and the owner of the family’s karinderia) Angela (Nestor’s daughter who works as a school teacher) and Nanay Rosa (Nestor and Melinda’s widowed mother).

What starts out as a seemingly peaceful family trip quickly turns into a battle ground of familial grudges, political views, and life changing secrets. There is the animosity between Melinda and Nestor, whose relationship is strained due to Melinda’s OFW past

and its ties to their father’s death. There is the political tension between Angela and Nestor, whose relationship is constantly tested due to their differing views on the Duterte administration/ the war on drugs. And finally, there is Geoffrey, a gay teenager at the crossroads of his identity, stuck in between haunting shadows of insecurity fueled by fear of his mother’s condemnation, and the desire to liberate himself from social pressures and find the freedom to explore his identity and sexuality.

As Christmas approaches, the burning tension between the family violently erupts, forcing everyone to reassess their own views and determine just how important family really means to themselves.

PCN 42 Photo Archives

What do you do when the future is uncertain?

How do you learn to love yourself?

What makes us who we are?

Follow a struggling actor, a frustrated businesswoman, and a disillusioned beauty queen as they go on a journey of self-discovery in the urban jungle of Los Angeles. By reconciling with their pasts and embracing their present, these three millennials will find out that being Pilipinx doesn't only mean honoring family and leaving legacies; it's also about standing up for yourself, being brave, and letting a little love in.

Ako Ay Ako: I am Me is the 41st production of PCN. Ako Ay Ako is a Tagalog phrase that literally translates into "I am Me," but can be understood as "I am who I am." The title encapsulates this year's show which explores the liminal space that millennial Pilipinx-Americans occupy in the United States and in the Philippines. Not seen as truly Pilipino nor completely American, Pilipinx-Americans often struggle to reconcile their dual identities and find acceptance.

To further deconstruct this struggle, Ako Ay Ako addresses four main sub-themes: the lack of Asian representation in Western media (especially entertainment arenas like Hollywood), colorism and anti-blackness in the Pilipinx community, the gradual loss of language among succeeding generations of Pilipinx-Americans, and finally, the generational gap that divides Pilipinx elders and millennials.

PCN 41: Ako Ay Ako

PCN 41 Photo Archives

PCN 40: Balikbayan

Set in the modern day Bay Area, Pilipino Cultural Night's "Balikbayan" begins when the Santos family receives a balikbayan box full of souvenirs and mementos sent by their relatives in the Philippines. Anthony, his parents Leonardo and Rose, and his aunts Maritess and Marisol unpack the box, unexpectedly unpacking their family's history, secrets and tumultuous past. Anthony embarks on a journey of trying to understand himself, but first he must understand his family's history and how these experiences over time come together to shape his transgenerational identity. Right on time for Pilipino Cultural Night's 40th Anniversary, Anthony's parents tell him stories about 40 years ago, living in the Philippines under Martial Law. Their stories bring light to discussions on activism, gender identity, and the socioeconomic effects of Filipino-American diaspora.

PCN 40 Photo Archives

Current(s) is a story about an ambitious college student, Melody, who travels to the Philippines to assist with relief efforts in Tacloban, months after Typhoon Yolanda destroyed the homes and livelihoods of millions of people. In Tacloban, Melody meets a family traumatized by the typhoon, and still struggles to survive. There, she not only learns about the conditions in the Philippines but she also faces her own struggles and learns about herself.

PCN 39: Current(s)

PCN 39 Photo Archives

PCN 38: Embark

The story begins as the Bagaoisan siblings--Matt, Malaya, and Mercy--and their mother, Mariella, return to the Philippines for a monumental celebration: the golden anniversary of their grandparents, Rafael and Juanita. Their oldest uncle, Joe and his two children, return from the states, while their aunt Esperanza and her daughter, return form England. In the Philippines, their aunts Elena and Evangeline and uncle Boy await their return. For the first time, the entire Rivera family is reunited after years of separation.

However, being together after years apart forces each of the Bagaoisans to face reality. Mercy, struggles to reconnect with her father but is burdened by the secret she must keep from him. Matt, who is meeting much of his extended family for the first time, grapples with his own issues of cultural and personal identity. Malaya, torn between what is expected of her and what her passion is, feels a disconnect from the place she used to call her home. Finally, Mariella is confronted by her spouse, Miguel, when he discovers that she has been keeping secrets form him and that life in the States is not as great as it seems.

Yet, while each of the Bagaoisans is dealing with their individual issues, tensions are rising between the Rivera siblings as well. Misunderstandings and resentment come to a head during the preparation and planning for the anniversary, as the Rivera siblings revisit conversations of years past. Conflicts arise as they begin to realize the true effects of separation, distance, and the secrets between them and that leaving home or being left behind are painful realities that do not ease with time. It also becomes apparent that the golden anniversary may not be the only reason the siblings have returned home.

It takes the intervention of Rafael and Juanita, to remind them of why they are here and how important it is that they are all together despite the time and distance. Rafael and Juanita serve as the glue for the family and as a reminder that blood will always be thicker than the waters that separate them.

PCN 38 Photo Archives

PCN 37: Renewal

It's 1973 and the city is changing. In the middle of this sprawling metropolis lies a tightly-knit neighborhood, where two working-class families and a group of elderly citizens call their run-down apartment building home. Domingo and Alma De La Salle live modest lives owning a small, local bakery, assisted by their quiet teenage daughter, Pamela. Ferdinand and Reina Pilar have a more prominent reputation in the community. Two of their three children are the first in the neighborhood to attend college. The eldest son, Ferdinand Junior (JR), has become a wealthy entrepreneur and looks down on those who still live in the dilapidated neighborhoods. His younger brother, Philip, is undecided in his career path, much to the dismay of his father. The youngest child, Isabel, is a cute little girl who likes to hopscotch, eat sweets, and pester her brothers. Five older citizens, respectfully called "manong" and "manang", live there as well. Four of them regularly play mahjong in the park, reminiscing on simpler times and continually squabbling over who has the better strategy. The other elder, Manong Bantay, helps the families and cares for their children. He is revered as the face of the community.

Tensions mount as the city continues to push its redevelopment agenda on the neighborhood, putting the residents' homes in peril. It doesn't help that Bruce and Barbara Sheppard and their daughter Angela move into the neighborhood. The Sheppard Family's unexpected arrival causes suspicion and distrust among the predominantly Filipino residents. Are they part of the redevelopment agenda? It certainly doesn't help that they're not Filipino. Despite his father's discouragement, Philip takes a liking to their daughter and secretly pursues Angela. With everybody on edge, Manong Bantay decides to throw Pamela a lively debut, hoping that this will be the one event to bring everybody together.

PCN 36: Our Legacy

*Unfortunately, we do not have the playbill or synopsis for PCN 36, but if you were in PCN 36 and would like to send us archives, please contact us!

What's so important about one's home and one's past? That's a question that Christine, an overworked college student, has to answer while trying to prepare herself for her future after school, which is no small task in itself. With her Lola having suddenly returned back to the Philippines, and her Nanay constantly occupied at work, Christine becomes more disconnected with her home and family more than ever. But when a balikbayan box unusually gets sent form Lola to Christine, Christine is now forced to deal with this question of heritage and the challenge of discovering her true beginnings.

PCN 35: Humble Beginnings

PCN 34: Check It

When items are checked off, a list signifies an end. Sometimes there is no end. Sometimes, it can be a continuous struggle.

It can be tiring to feel so aware all the time. To always have to check this problem or that , to think about others' struggles and histories, to keep our eyes open all the time, to even check ourselves. To become so engaged in the world opens us up to pain, anger, and loss.

But this is how we grow.

This is how we progress.

This is how we live in a different state of mind.

This is how a new conscious emerges.

This is how we "Check It".

PCN 32: Awaken Movement

The unifying theme of "Awaken Movement" reflects the ways we initiate different forms of movement in our lives, whether that be on social, physical, or personal levels. For the characters as well as the participants, audience members, and community of PCN, this is a pivotal, progressive process of transformation, and on many levels it is only the beginning...

Contact Us

@paapcn

UC Berkeley PCN Pilipinx Cultural Night

paa.calpcn@gmail.com