Filstar Program Report

May 10, 2010

The month of April was an exciting month for the high school and middle school FilStar youth. We are thriving in terms of attendees. We now have at least 35 total participants attending each week; some weeks it is over 50. The community support has been incredible, from the Filipino Community of Seattle, to different arts and community organizations to artists and community members who have donated food, performances and countless hours in order to make FilStar a successful program.

There have been 10-20 middle school students who came to each session in April. There are 13 high school mentors and 12 college/young professional mentors who are regular attendees, another 15 who have come to volunteer and support on certain occasions. We also have a University of Washington student, Mark Fabian, interning as the Program Assistant. Word of mouth has gotten around and there are many more who are interested in being a part of FilStar. However, without more funding and staff support, it is hard to include any more youth at this point.

The high school students had two different field trips this month. The first one was a Seattle tour highlighting Philippine history, which included Jose Rizal Park, Carlos Bulosan’s grave and many more. This was facilitated by members of Pinay Sa Seattle and Anakbayan. The second trip was the Schooner Day Sail with Tacoma MetroParks, which was a wonderful experience for youth, many of whom have never gone sailing before.

As for the middle school students, we have been successful in having weekly homework help sessions, giving the high school students an opportunity to provide tutoring and mentorship. In the beginning of April, we had a discussion about Adam Corolla’s racist remarks about the Philippines and its people. Following the discussion, we learned more about Philippine history and culture. The weeks following were spent in groups with their high school mentors planning and rehearsing for their “Where is the Love?” performances.

The showcase, which took place on he evening of April 30, 2010 at the FCC Hall, included singing, acoustic and electric guitar, dancing, hiphop, spoken word, skits and their own artwork. Some were original compositions; most were collaborative efforts, creating stronger bonds between the youth. In addition to showcasing their considerable talents, they also addressed different issues they are facing, including self-esteem and identity, gang violence, relationships and institutional racism. As for the question of the night (Where is the love?), a heart-wrenching poem by one of the youth supplied the answer— he has found it in FilStar. Christian Tugade explains that although the program is supposed to end in June, this is “Only the Beginning,” as his poem is entitled.

The event was organized primarily by the high school students, with the help of their college and young professional mentors. They formed different committees: logistics, promotions, food and program, allowing them to fully participate and learn different aspects of the event. The event was well-attended and raised $350 from the dinner, which was prepared by the students themselves. There were several parents and board members there, who responded warmly to the youth and the event.

Upcoming events for May and June include a possible carwash fundraiser, workshops on Art, Spoken Word, Meditation/Yoga, Healthy Relationships, an Outdoor Game Day and a Pagdiriwang performance on June 6. We will also have t-shirts and CDs on sale by June.

Submitted by Jeff Rice & Chera Amlag

Report written by FilSTAR Coordinator Katrina Pestano

April 27, 2010

Reference: Katrina Pestano

Filstar Program Coordinator

(206) 403-0349

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FilStar youth address violence through art and community work

Seattle, WA— High school and middle school youth will be showcasing their talents on Friday, April 30, 2010 at the Filipino Community Center. These youth are part of FilStar’s South End Pipeline to Success, a peer mentoring program where middle school students spend Thursday afternoons with high school students doing schoolwork and learning more about their community. The high school students, in turn, spend Sundays with college and young professional mentors, receiving trainings and workshops on leadership, effective mentorship and cultivating community through art. Katrina Pestano, Filstar Youth Program Coordinator explains, “This program has changed the lives of the youth who are part of it. In a short amount of time, I have witnessed a change in each of them and in how they relate to one another. We have become a family.”

For the past six weeks, these students have worked together to present to the community their perspective on different forms of violence they are facing as youth, while finding ways to heal by creating community thought art and education. “I am thrilled at how quickly they have become leaders in the course of this program. The high school students organized this show with support from their mentors. They are not only presenting their artistic abilities, but also their skills as community organizers,” continues Pestano. This showcase, entitled “Where is the Love?” is their exploration of self-love, love for each other and love for their community. Special guests for the night include Gabriel Teodros and Khingz of Abyssinian Creole, rogue pinay of 1^st Quarter Storm and Pinay sa Seattle Choir. One of the student organizers, Gemilyn Manalo says, “It will definitely be a night to remember. We are so excited to show our families, friends and community what we have learned in Fistar.”

Sliding scale donations will be collected at the door, which will open at 6 pm. A delicious dinner prepared by the youth and their parents will be served for only six dollars.The show will start at 7 pm. The Filipino Community Center is located on 5740 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S Seattle WA 98118.

This program is made possible with support from the Filipino Community of Seattle and the City of Seattle Neighborhood Match Fund.

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FCS Youth Committee Report

April 10, 2010

Submitted by BM Amlag & BM Rice

  Southend Pipeline to Success Mentorship Program:

.PARTICIPANTS:

MARCH PROGRAM EVENTS/HIGHLIGHTS:

(1) Middle School Orientation: middle school students were introduced to program and met high school mentors

(2) After School Homework Help (Thursdays 4-6pm):

 1. middle school students received homework help and tutoring from high school students every Thursday after   

     school

 2. students participated in team building activities;

 3. students engaged in interactive activities to practice various life skills (ie. public speaking);

 4. middle school & high school students signed up for committees to plan Showcase on April 30th

(3) High School Leadership (Sundays 2-4pm): high school participants have been meeting every Thursday with their mentors to plan Showcase. Events students have participated in include:

- performed at International Women’s Day Brunch & IWD march

- participated in song writing workshop

- participated in FilSTAR Leadership Institute

APRIL UPCOMING EVENTS:

April 11th - Seattle Youth Initiate Discussion

April 17th - Field Trip - Seattle Filipino Tour

April 30th - “Where is the Love” Youth Showcase

3.     ANAK:  Literacy & Arts Program - There was no ANAK program this month due to Easter Weekend.

★      Next ANAK Program will be held on Saturday, May 8th from 12:30-2:00pm.