“We want to expose our kids to Philippine art and culture”.

This is the motivation that inspired a group of Filipino-American parents in the Triangle area to form the Filipino American Performing Artists of North Carolina (FAPA-NC). In 2002, this group of determined parents organized a series of music and dance workshops, primarily intended for tots, pre-teens and teenagers. The workshop series was so educational and fun that eventually, young adults and parents of participants got involved. Enthusiasm and support for the project was so overwhelming, resulting in a clamor for a full-fledged cultural presentation. This culminated in the successful production entitled “Sayaw, Awit At Iba Pa”, a celebration of Philippine folk music and dance featuring tribal rituals from the mountains of northern Luzon, the colors and grace of the Muslim South and the gaiety and vibrance of the Spanish era. This production exemplified the true bayanihan spirit- each individual participant as well as each family actively contributed time, money and effort to make the project a success. Costumes were sewed, props were built from scratch, money was raised to fund the project. During the curtain call, the stage at the BTI Center For The Performing Arts (in Raleigh, NC) was packed to with close to 120 individuals- entire families who learned, worked, and performed together to ensure the success of the project.

In essence, this is how it began- entire families working together, unified by a single goal in mind.  Families form the backbone of the organization. As such, families are the cog that ultimately turn the organization’s wheels in motion. And this is how FAPA-NC was envisioned to proceed. Not only has the organization been successful in exposing its children to Philippine art and culture. It has reached out to the community as well, raising awareness to everything that is Filipino. Since 2002, FAPA-NC has performed in church functions (St. Michaels’, St Raphael’s, Church of the Risen Lord), in school cultural awareness programs (Briar Creek Elementary, Ravenscroft Middle School), in town celebrations (Wendell) and state-wide international festivals (NC International Festival).

In 2004, FAPA-NC produced an original contemporary Filipino Christmas dance, music and drama presentation entitled “Neneng’s Gift”. The story revolved around a young 14-year old Filipina who, like all 14-year olds, obsessed over the gifts she felt she deserved for Christmas. Conflict arose with her traditional-minded father when Neneng started badgering her aunt for a Christmas gift of her choice. To avoid a nasty exchange with her Dad, Neneng walked out of the house and wandered through town where she was exposed to the various icons of Christmas in the Philippines – the parol, carolers, the Simbang Gabi, the Noche Buena and the Belen. Each one of these icons bore special meaning to Christmas. Little by little, Neneng realized the most precious gift was something she had all along, and in fact, was hers to share! The storyline and script were written by members, most of the music was performed live and all of the props were produced locally, the joint effort of several member families!