PHOTO COURTESY FILIPINO STUDENT ASSOCIATION
The Filipino Student Association functions as both a cultural organization and a social space for students looking to build connections on campus, according to its acting president.
Founded in 2012, the organization’s creation dates back to the legacy institution the University of Texas-Pan American.
“The main purpose of the club is like two different things,” said John Acevedo, the FSA acting president. “Because we are the Filipino association … we do try to spread Filipino values [such as] community. But we also just want to provide a home for students.”
He added the organization aims to create a place where members can meet others with shared interests and build friendships during their time in college.
“We want to provide a home for students to find a community and friends … or just have a place to spend time with while they’re in university,” Acevedo said.
According to Acevedo, the organization has around 180 registered members, making it the largest social organization at UTRGV. The club meets from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. every other Thursday, on the first and third weeks of the month, in Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship Room 118.
Meetings typically begin with announcements about upcoming events and organizational updates before shifting focus to one of the club’s most active areas: dance.
“The first half of the meeting we’re talking about general business … socials, fundraiser events, any community events that we’re collabing on,” Acevedo said. “And then, the second half of the meeting tends to be geared more towards our competition.”
Dance plays a major role in the association’s activities. Last year marked the first time members competed outside of university events at a competition called Summer Meltdown, which featured national and state-level dance teams. However, much of the organization’s preparation revolves around an annual competition known as GoodPhil, a four-day conference and competition that unites all of the FSAs across Texas and Oklahoma.
In addition to dance, the club hosts a wide range of recreational activities and sports. Indoor sports include basketball, volleyball and pickleball, while outdoor activities include soccer, flag football and ultimate frisbee. The organization also maintains both cultural and modern dance teams, along with a spirit team that participates in competitions.
Acevedo said the group won the “most outstanding award for the tailgates for football,” and members frequently collaborate with local cultural events.
The club is also preparing to work with the city of Edinburg and members of the local Filipino community during the upcoming World Culture Fest.
Despite the organization’s many activities, Acevedo said the group’s main goal is simple: creating a welcoming environment.
“We just want to establish a good community where people can go to, especially just to have fun with everything,” he said.
Students interested in joining the Filipino Student Association can attend a meeting or learn more on its Instagram @fsa_rgv. According to Acevedo, newcomers quickly find a welcoming environment.
“If you want to have a friend, I guarantee you, among one of us, there’s someone for you to hang out with,” he said.
