By Diego Higuera
Editor’s Note: It is policy of the Southwestern College Sun and standard journalism practice to identify all voices in an article and to attribute quotes, with rare exceptions for sexual assault and situations that may place the source in danger. Due to a misunderstanding prior to this interview, members of Pagkakaisa were told their statements would be unattributed. Rather than cancel the article, the Editorial Board agreed to a one-time exception. All names in this article are pseudonyms.
In Tagalog pagkakaisa means “unity,” a word that represents many sentiments in Filipino culture. It can mean unity in family, among friends or other Filipinos.
At Southwestern College, Pagkakaisa is also the name of a venerable campus organization. Since 1968 Pagkakaisa has supported the South County’s robust Filipino-American community and promoted community service. Members and advisers have come and gone, but in Pagkakaisa’s 55th year its motto “Strength in Unity” remains.
Neil said he felt lost at SC before he discovered the club.
“Pagkakaisa is really important because since I came to America I wanted to learn about Filipino culture,” he said. “I feel that coming (to Pagkakaisa meetings) and having that connection with Filipino-Americans. I felt like we all kind of relate to each other. I’d say it’s a family. We all kind of grew up with separate lives, but can come together here and (explore) the origin of our ethnicity.”
Pagkakaisa members are very supportive, said Neil, and “we pick each other up.” The club provides a safe place, he said, and a sense of belonging.
“We all have a mindset that we feel out of place (at Southwestern College) because we have to (conform) and not be who we actually are,” he said. “It’s a safe place for us to be Asian American. We’re here as a family that we can connect to. (We connect) to other cultures as well. We have some members who are (mixed race Asian) and they also feel safe here.”
Jack said Pagkakaisa is a wonderful outlet for self-expression and community building.
“The club was born out of shared life experiences and (creating) a safe place to share those experiences,” he said. “We also have to learn more about other communities here at Southwestern College. Student clubs and learning communities help with that. Asian Americans are relatively invisible, particularly Filipino Americans. They are seen as part of that ‘model minority’ stereotype. We don’t look at our experiences, particularly when it comes to migration and assimilation.”
Diana said Pagkakaisa brings awareness to Filipino Americans and the broader AAPI community in San Diego County.
“Our goal is cultural awareness,” she said. “We want to be sure we have a voice as minorities. Southwestern’s Pagkakaisa Club is the first of its kind in Southern California. We have sister organizations (throughout the county). That have picked up the torch and carried on the work this club started.”
SC’s Pagkakaisa Club was very active at the turn of the century and is the founder of the San Diego County Asian Cultural Festival. Former Pagkakaisa President Neil Allen Garcia organized the first festival in the old football stadium. For many years Pagkakaisa was Southwestern’s largest and most activist organization. COVID tripped up the club’s momentum.
Lalinda said Pagkakaisa has begun the process of rebuilding.
“We kind of took a step back (due to the pandemic),” she said. “I think all of our (student) organizations had to step back because we lost our connections (and momentum). We’re trying to reestablish them so we can get back to where we once were.”
Pagkakaisa emphasizes service and helping others, Lalinda said.
“I think it’s important to emphasize community building,” she said. “(We must) understand (other students) background and understand the history of the college. We need to know about the social movements that have occurred. It’s a part of our history and a lot of students don’t learn the history.”
Pagkakaisa members said it is important for the broader community to know about the vast contributions of AAPI people in San Diego County. Neil said AAPI People helped to build the region.
“San Diego County has thrived thanks to the help of all those AAPI People who helped it grow into what it is,” he said. “Knowing that history and how the AAPI community has helped cultivate it is paramount. Pagkakaisa is important to because it helps students make connections necessary to help the whole of the AAPI community in San Diego County.”
