Barkada of SCU originally began as a support organization for Filipino students at Santa Clara University. Founded by Gem & Butch Yabut and Ronald Martinez in 1983, Barkada was one of the 6 founding organizations in the Multicultural Center at SCU. Over the past 20-plus years it has evolved into one of the most active organizations on campus, providing the entire student body with various cultural, political and social events throughout the year. But more than anything, Barkada stays true to its name: as year after year an incredible “group of friends” is created.

Filipino-Americans at Santa Clara had growing interests, curiosities, and prides in their heritage and culture and wanted to learn more. In 1990, one Barkada member, Orlene Carlos Gentile, decided to take Barkada’s mission of promoting awareness of Filipino culture and community to the next level. Inspired by the greater Filipino collegiate community, Santa Clara welcomed its first Pilipino Cultural Night, comprised of a skit and traditional and modern dances. Through Philippine folk arts, dances, music, stories, and cultures, students celebrate Filipino tradition, history, and experiences. Since then, Barkada’s PCN has grown to become the largest student-run cultural production on campus, manifesting in a two-night show for over 1000 audience members

On the inside, PCN is a yearlong production that is the result of the cast’s hard work and energy, alumni’s knowledge and assistance, outside Filipino organizations’ support and mentorship, and P-Staff’s passion and teamwork. PCN is a journey. It’s a show, but it’s also the lyrical movements backstage, it’s the late night practices with your new best friends, it’s the cut-edge planing and scheduling, it’s the personal growth and learning, it’s the stress and the late nights, and the stage and the bright lights.

In 2019, Barkada’s PCN will be approaching its 29th year. PCN is truly a testament to the power, creation, dedication and art of Filipino-American students by blood and at heart.