On May 6 and 7, 2022, Skyline College’s Annual Pilipino Cultural Night (PCN) returned onstage with its 17th feature play and first intercultural show, Ang Kulay Ng Pag-Ibig / El Color Del Amor / The Color of Love.

The Color of Love was a collaboration of the Kababayan, Puente, and CIPHER Learning Communities, another first in PCN history. The play was written in the ENGL 103 class in Fall 2021 by Emi Robles and Ezekiel John Recto; in Spring 2022, the ENGL 104/695 students directed and produced the play. Dr. Liza Erpelo teaches both courses.

The story followed two gay San Francisco State University seniors who announced their engagement to their conservative Filipino American and Mexican American families. The couple continued to fight for love and freedom as they faced opposition from their families and discovered their twisted secrets.

For two nights in a row, the audience positively received this PCN’s cross-cultural components that included but were not limited to Filipino American and Mexican American family dynamics, languages, dances, and music.

All proceeds from the ticket sales went directly to the Friends of Kababayan scholarship fund. More information about the Kababayan Learning Community and ways to donate to the scholarship fund can be found here: https://skylinecollege.edu/kababayan/index.php

The show would not be possible without the help of several important people. Many thanks to the Theatre Events Manager, Joshua Harris; Jae Tioseco and Bonjun Valera, Barangay Dance Company; Amanda Bortoli, Skyline College Graphic Arts & Graphic Production; Dr. Nicole Porter and Kathy Fitzpatrick, Social Sciences/Creative Arts Division; Alex Urbina, Puente Counselor and Pilipino Cultural Night actress; and Ezekiel John Recto, Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant and Pilipino Cultural Night executive director.

Thank you and mabuhay! 

Article by Ezekiel John Recto & Dr. Liza Erpelo