By Gavin Arucan | Staff Writer

The Pamantasan Conference takes place at one of the University of Hawaiʻi campuses once every year to share Filipino culture and history to students, Filipino or not, who attend. For the first time in 15 years, KCC is hosting the event to promote leadership in the Filipino community.

“Pamantasan” means “higher education” in Tagalog, which is what the conference strives to achieve. The Pamantasan Conference will take place at KCC on Friday, March 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The conference is open to everyone from every UH campus, but KCC students are given a discounted price of admission of $5 as opposed to $15. Attendees will be able to check in at Ohiʻa Cafeteria starting at 8:30 a.m. until the event officially begins at 9:00 a.m.

The conference will provide various workshops, programs, and panels that represent Filipino culture in the UH community. All of the programs will revolve around this year’s theme: “Don’t Stop Believing: Journey to Inspired Collective Filipino Leadership (Through Educational, Creative, and Civic Engagement).” The panels and workshops will teach leadership skills, Filipino education practices, and vanishing Filipino traditions, including dance.

KCC’s own Bayanihan Club planned the conference.

“Planning [the Pamantasan Conference] was very stressful for us,” said club president Lara Domogma. “But we are excited to share the Filipino culture.”

Throughout the planning process, the Bayanihan Club learned more about its own culture and the issues that many Filipinos face. The club hopes to represent and educate people about the Filipino culture, which is so commonly underrepresented.

The Pamantasan Conference will continue the next day on March 18 at UH West Oʻahu starting at 8:00 a.m.

Anyone interested in attending may register online.