SU hosts Fil-Am students’ heritage tour

Silliman University (SU) hosts Filipino American (Fil-Am) students from the United States to explore Philippine heritage and history as part of their immersive experience in the Philippines, in a program held July 8, 2023 at Silliman Hall.

The 20 students were the pioneer cohort of the Filipino Young Global Leadership Program of The Philippine Living Heritage Initiative (PLHI), which aims to strengthen Filipino identity through education and build thriving global communities.

Various student leaders from Dumaguete City joined the Fil-Am students in the program.

Riley Pasicaran, Mikhaela Gabiola, Don Xavier Lugatiman, and Francheska Dumancas, whose parents and grandparents are Sillimanians, expressed their happiness in visiting the university and engaging in various Filipino-themed activities and games.

The activities included a tour around the campus, famous Filipino kids’ games, and a demonstration of the folk dance “Miligoy de Cebu” with the SU Dance Troupe.

The said program provides “outstanding students of Filipino descent” with the opportunity to explore their Filipino identity and heritage, engage with other young leaders, and participate in an immersive, two-week experience in the country.

Prior to visiting SU, the said students also toured Luzon, particularly in Intramuros, Binondo, Masungi GeoReserve Park, among others.

Atty. Myrish Cadapan-Antonio, an Outstanding Sillimanian Award for Global Leadership Development and among the Harvard Heroes in 2019, is the co-founder and CEO of PLHI with Geraldine Acuña-Sunshine, a co-president of Harvard Club of the Philippines. 

(Story and photos by Francis Basa Pabiania, SU Office of Information and Publications intern)