On April 24 and 26, 2025, the Kababayan Learning Community at Skyline College presented its 20th annual Pilipino Cultural Night, Letters to Our Ancestors, in the Main Theatre. The play was written by the ENGL 103 class in Fall 2024, then produced by the ENGL 104 class in Spring 2025, under the guidance of Dr. Liza Erpelo, who teaches both courses. The 25-person cast and crew was led by Dr. Liza Erpelo, coordinator of the Kababayan Learning Community and Jonathan Justo, Kababayan counselor, COUN 100 instructor and Kapatiran Seminar instructor at Westmoor High School, with support from Allen Ocampo, AANHPI Coordinator.
The link to the show’s program can be found here.
This year’s show followed the main character, Jericho Agbayani, as he learned about his Filipino culture, heritage, and family history through writing, poetry, music, songs, Filipino martial arts, cooking, and dance.
In addition to acting, the students showcased three traditional Filipino folk dances, “Tadek,” “Lapay Bantigue,” and “Sakuting,” as taught by Manny de Vera from Likha Pilipino Folk Ensemble. The students also performed in hip-hop and K-pop numbers choreographed by Jonathan Justo and students Isaac Camacho and Jasmine Sebastian. The PCN dancers once again received advising and mentoring from Mike Medrano, U-Jam Fitness instructor and troupe member of Afta Shock, a Culture Shock San Diego dance program, and Oldies But Goodies Dance Crew (OBG). This year, students in the dance numbers were also enrolled in DANC 400 with Professor Amber Steele, and both the Pilipino Cultural Night students and Dance Program were able to collaborate not only for PCN, but also for the spring Dance Show, “POV: This Is Why I Dance,” on May 9.
Letters to Our Ancestors also showcased Filipino martial arts, as taught by Master Joseph Bautista from Legacy Filipino Martial Arts in Daly City. The background movements and fight scenes were choreographed and taught by Dr. Liza Erpelo’s children and Legacy FMA students, Aubrey Malaya Erpelo Lassen and Ryan Tala Erpelo Lassen.
At Gala Night on April 26, in addition to acknowledging this year’s graduates/transferring students, the Kababayan Learning Community also honored this year’s recipients of the Friends of Kababayan scholarships: Jesse Thomas “Tom” Matawaran
Keisha “Kei” Gwyneth Pangilinan
David Christian Pumyam
Alijah “Niko” Santana
Jenna Tolentino
Trinity Velasco-Frias
Kaela Wilson
These shows would not be possible without the help of several important people. Many thanks to the Theatre Events Manager, Joshua Harris; Skyline College Graphic Arts & Graphic Production; Bianca Rowden-Quince, Social Sciences/Creative Arts Division; Chris Gibson, Language Arts Division; Dr. Newin Orante, Acting President, and support from the AANHPI Student Achievement Program. A big thank you also to the Filipinx Student Union and all of the volunteers for their hard work leading up to the show and up to the final curtain call — the show would not have gone on without you.
This year’s show was dedicated to the memory of Bonificio “Bonjun” Valera, founder of Barangay Dance Company in San Francisco, who passed away on March 26, 2025. Kuya Bon began working with Skyline College in 2008 with PCN 4, Lovewrecked. He and the students established the Kababayan Dance Troupe, and some alumni went on to join Barangay, then would come back to help with later productions, including Kababayan’s 15th and 20th anniversary celebrations. The Kababayan Learning Community will forever be grateful for Kuya Bon and how he taught us all to appreciate and love the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines through dance and music. We are honored that he will continue to part of our PCN legacy.
All proceeds from the ticket sales go directly to the Friends of Kababayan fund for student scholarships, future productions, and our upcoming Study Abroad Philippines program tentatively scheduled for Summer 2026. More information about the Kababayan Learning Community and ways to donate can be found here.
Thank you, see you again next year for our 21st show, and mabuhay!
Article by Dr. Liza Erpelo
Photos provided by Dr. Liza Erpelo
