Celebrating Filipino culture at ISM

MANILA, Philippines –  The heavy rains last Oct. 22 did not stop the celebration of the annual “Pista sa ISM,” the Filipiniana Day celebration at the International School Manila (ISM). True to its traditions, the Filipino community made the best out of the situation and shrugged off the downpour as students, teachers, parents and members of the administration shared their food in the wet and muddy middle school courtyard.

“This really is how we Filipinos celebrate fiesta! Come rain or shine, the fun must go on,” said one parent while holding her plate full of delicious Cabalen dishes and a big chunk of the incomparable “pambansang litsong manok” Andok’s.

On this occasion, the easiest thing to do is to organize. David Toze, the school superintendent, as always, gave his full support. Toze was helped out by the other members of the administration, including William Brown, high school principal, Danielle Fredericks, middle school principal, and Michael Flynn, director for security and operations. The real stars in the organization, though, were the students themselves. As ever, their energy, commitment and passion were on show from the very first discussion about this year’s “Pista sa ISM.”

This year’s officers of the Philippine Culture Club (PCC), who did so much for so many, were Mara Celine Javier (president), Louis Rence Pazcoguin (VP), Kristine Crouch (secretary), Sarina Samson (treasurer), Frances Tanchanco (PRO), and board members Alonzo Virata, Isabel Martel Francisc, Bianca Romero-Salas, Enro Razon and Natalia Peña.

What made this year’s Filipiniana Day more meaningful was the fact that the school is also celebrating its 90th anniversary.

The Philippine Cultural Club of ISM: The officers are Rene Pazcoguin, Kristine Crouch, Mara Javier, Sarina Samson, Frances Tanchanco and Rey Candido

Stephanie Hagedorn, the director for alumni and community relations, helped in the preparation even to the point of personally soliciting donations from the alumni. Beckie Ong and Dassah Castro, ISM’s “veteran” teachers, also gave their time and expertise in the preparation for this event. Fine and performing arts teacher Tom Nazareno, Yek Barlongay, John Mulhall and Guillaume Ondendaal prepared a program of Filipino songs and dances to highlight the diverse culture of Filipinos, past, present and future.

This year’s hermana mayor, no less than the mayor of Taguig City herself Maria Laarni Cayetano, joined the parada, together with the rest of the community, with the Taguig City Marching Band at both ends, complete with arko and mananayaw sa daan.

As always, the “Pista sa ISM” would not be possible were it not for the generous donation and support of the parents. This year, we were fortunate to have as members of the committee two of the who’s who in the Philippine food industry Maritel Nievera of the famous Cabalen Restaurants and Leonardo “Sandy” Javier of Andok’s, who is also now the mayor of Javier, Leyte. The other members of the committee who selflessly gave their time and energy in making the celebration a success were Camille Samson, Gianna Montinola, Marianne Pratte, Libet Virata, Junie Peña, Tina Maristela Ocampo, and Irene Martel-Francisco.

The event was not simply a celebration of Filipino culture. More than that, it was a fund-raising activity where the proceeds go to the ISM disaster relief fund. As principal Bill Brown put it, “For some years now the proceeds from Filipiniana Day have been banked into this fund so that we can provide immediate assistance in the face of urgent situations. Having resources available from day one was instrumental in being able to meet the needs of our partner service learning organizations during last year’s Typhoon Ondoy — to the tune of over $55,000. Already this year we have sent a check to help with the Pakistan relief efforts to the tune of $3,000. I think we should be immensely proud of PCC’s efforts in running a hugely entertaining day that contributes so significantly to our school’s mission and vision.”

Aside from Cabalen and Andok’s, other donors that made this year’s celebration one of the most memorable were Mangan Restaurant, Oody’s, Philippine Tatler, Swatch, Rustan’s, Shopwise, Kamiseta, Dauphin Realty Holdings, Pancake House, National Book Store, Mang Inasal, Tambunting Pawnshop, Jewelmer, Senco Link, Marks and Spencer, Havaianas, Zara, Debenhams, Beaty Bar and Blackwood Bistro.

 “Events like this are fantastic days in the fabric of an international school. We enjoy the concert, the food, the games, but more important we celebrate the international-mindedness that makes our own Filipiniana event so successful, year after year. That ‘international-mindness’ represents a call for respect, regard and recognition among cultures,” said Brown, “For our students and their parents — who come from 70 different countries — to witness a celebration of all that is best in Filipinos helps forge and shape relationships for years to come. For more than 40 years now, Filipiniana at ISM is the most anticipated event of the school year and showcases the verve and vibrancy of the Filipino people.”