Dedicated to: SMOKIN PACES, PACEjam, and PACE

Bakit do we get into things like these? 
I don’t get it?
Pil-Am Organizations…that thing! 

Whether its in schools, universities, dance groups, or community run organizations, these “things” keep us moving, busy, and on the go. We all understand the commitment and bless us for taking it on, but the stress and heartache that sometimes comes along in being a part of a Pil-Am Org is…well lets not get into that that thing. 

From my experience in being a part of PACE (Pilipino American Collegiate Endeavor) at SFSU, people are turned off by that commitment and know the dedication members of PACE go through - leading them to not join that thing. But bakit after 40 years of service to the SF community PACE continues to bring in people to do that thing?

Take for instance BakitWhy. This site was created by folks who felt that there needed to be a change, some sort of representation on the internet for Pil-Am folks like yourselves to come to and get connected. A grassroot site that was just started by a couple of folks and now have expanded the network of the bakitwhy team to 40 + folks in the span of several weeks. This thing that has driven us to post, video vlog, outreach - this thing that all of us have in common. The pride of our culture and the knowledge that we continue to expose here at BakitWhy. 

Again, In my experience at SFSU, the Pilipinos on our campus are the most dedicated, self-determined, and most disciplined students that I have ever encountered. Without a doubt decedents of the Third World Liberation Front. Orgs like PACE, LFS, Kappa Psi Epsilon, XPO, Manalo Movement, PEP, AAS 363, AAS 355, have this “thing” this sort of responsiblity if you will at SFSU to uphold.

A responsibility that we all gladly take despite all the responsibilities that come along with it. (And if you’re watching this this, you probably know what I’m talking about because you’re probably a part of that thing in your own community whether its a simple dance group or the fight for full equity.)

In my opinion, we get into these things because as Pilipino Americans we can all find some collective struggle in common. Some misrepresentation in society that we feel we need to correct and wright. And most definitely, a voice to be heard for the world to pay attention to. Its about educating people/our youth so that they can better understand what it means to be Pilipino - Pilipino American. Its about the resource and keeping posted about whats going on back home.

We as Pilipinos -Pilipino Americans have this drive. This self determination to make it in the world and we aint gonna have anybody tell us otherwise. We seek to gain a better understanding about ourselves, who we are, and where we came from through a shared identity in which we find in other Pilipinos like us. This shared identity was lost and was never written in our history books…until now.

So if your still asking BakitWhy do we get into these things? Plain and simple because we as Pilipinos like this thing that we do so we can bring others like you who are watching this to gain a better understanding about this thing we all have in common. We come together for that “thing” which we pride ourselves.

We are Beautiful Brown America 
Mabuhay

Special Shout Outs to those featured in the video: PACE (CORE/Interns), LFS, Kappa Psi Epsilon sf, XPO sf, babae sf, AAS 363, AAS 355, Professor Begonia and Gonzo, Little Manila, Manilatown, Parol Festival, FCC, Berkeley PAA, Maganda Magazine, Akbayan, East Bay PASA, USF Kasamahan, Santa Clara Barkada, UC Davis Mga Kapatid, Touch Blue, Gabe Bondoc, jabbawockies, Friendship Games, Veteranos, FGD, PACE PCN Cast, Talentado 4 performers, MissCarolinexoxo, SFSU, BakitWhy.com…and anyone else I missed! =]