VISA 2013, who said Asians can’t dance?
Every year, the Filipino Student Association competes in the annual VISA talent show held at the O’Connell center. Not only does this organization compete every year, it places. I couldn’t be more proud to be involved member AND FUTURE DANCER!
The University of Florida prides itself in its diversity and after visiting other college campuses, I can honestly say there is no other school in Florida that I feel like has as much campus involvement or progress than the Gator Nation. For those who don’t dance (I certainly don’t), dancing VISA is an opportunity to be able to try something new- to compete on a stage with other cultures that are just as passionate for tradition. When thinking about how excited I am for VISA, I remember the feeling of dancing for DTJ, but being able to actually take part in the competition.
It’s a journey that ill be taking for the first time and couldn’t be more excited because I know that even though I’m not the best dancer, there is a family out there willing to teach me and guide me so that I wont have to miss out on this experience. And that is something that I’ve learned from becoming so involved in FSA. The organization is large in numbers, but its also large in heart. When I danced DTJ, I didn’t really know the person dancing next to me, but that person was willing to go out of their way to help me learn and soon enough, everyone eventually gets to meet and know each other not only in terms of dancing, but also friendships.
Even if you’re not that involved in FSA, it’s a time we come together as one family (upperclassmen and underclassmen!) and one community to represent the Asian American culture and share Filipino custom with the rest of the University of Florida community. No matter what year you are or organizations you are involved in, dancing with FSA is a legendary tradition and known for the memories created throughout its time.
We have so many accomplishments to be proud of as an Asian American community- whether or not the people in our community are even of an Asian ethnicity. No matter what ethnicity you are, Filipino culture or the Asian traditions in general are definitely customs worth making known to those unfamiliar or unaware of its existence.
Not all organizations get this opportunity, and as the Asian American Student Representative of the Filipino Student Association, I encourage YOU and welcome YOU, no matter who you are... where youre from.. to come out and dance with us, and share this experience with the pamilya! Because even if we don’t know how do dance, we know how to pass on tradition, and know how to win! VISA 2013 OH LEH DO ITTTT
SPRING SEMESTER COMIN BACK FOR SOME MO’ hayyy!
Jennifer Vergara
AASU Representative
Filipino Student Association
University of Florida
