From Christine Corrales, Samahang Pilipino President 2006-2007:

"Samahang Pilipino has much to celebrate with this year as its 35th anniversary! Samahang Pilipino has grown significantly from its initial establishment in 1972. Since then, Samahang Pilipino has developed from a small social space for Pilipino students at UCLA into a powerful mobilizing force addressing the needs of the Pilipino community both on and off campus. By emphasizing the social, political, academic, cultural and community issues relevant to the Pilipino community, Samahang Pilipino seeks to holistically develop and empower general members to become leaders in advocating for positive change in the community.

Samahang Pilipino has made significant strides in advocating for positive change in the Pilipino community on and off campus. Confronting issues such as student retention, equal access to resources and higher education, and relevancy of education are but a few examples of Samahang Pilipino's work throughout its vital 35 years of history at UCLA. Samahang Pilipino continues to address retention issues on campus through its retention project situated in the Student Retention Center, providing students from underrepresented communities with the support and resources necessary for successful graduation. Additionally, Samahang Pilipino continues to address access through its outreach project in the Student Initiated Access Center, providing high school students in the downtown Los Angeles community with services such as peer advising, tutoring, and workshops with the aim of increasing matriculation into higher education. Besides outreach and retention, much of Samahang Pilipino's current advocacy focuses on continuing the struggles of those who came before us: addressing the equity for Filipino American World War II Veterans, strategizing the establishment of Pilipino Studies at UCLA, and fighting for equal access to higher education for all students. Samahang Pilipino, in coalition with other student advocacy groups on campus, is leading efforts in advocating for basic human rights and social justice, with this academic year focused on access to higher education, demanding admissions policy change and funding for academic preparation programs in order to increase the diversity of undergraduates at UCLA.

Advocacy work is not the only avenue through which Samahang Pilipino seeks to empower its general membership and the community at large. This year, we will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of Samahang Pilipino Culture Night (SPCN), an event that has historically allowed general members to explore Pilipino/Pilipina American culture and identity, as well as educate the greater UCLA campus and community. The production of SPCN is a significant aspect of the work of Samahang Pilipino, as it creates a space within which friends, family members, and the community may engage in important issues. Providing opportunities and outlets for self-learning, peer-organizing, self-advocacy, and community service, SPCN is a significant avenue for general membership, as well as the community to develop holistically. It is clear that Samahang Pilipino is a multifaceted organization that adopts a holistic view of the development and empowerment of students at UCLA. Not only does the organization promote academic success, but it also fosters cultural awareness, political dialogue, community consciousness, and social support with the hope of developing an engaged and unified community that explores and embraces Pilipino/Pilipina American identities, fosters personal and collective growth through relevant education, advocates for social justice in coalition with other communities, and promotes a sense of family within and beyond the university. As we continue to educate and advocate for our Pilipino/Pilipina American community, we thank you for your support."