Behind the Curtain: The Cultural Capital of Pilipino Cultural Nights

Abstract

This study examines the phenomenon of Pilipino Cultural Nights in higher education through the lens of community cultural wealth. While in name, Pilipino Cultural Nights pay homage to the native culture of the Philippines, the processes through which these performances are produced and reproduced as annual traditions exhibit a distinct Filipino American cultural experience that is facilitated by the higher education environment. As under-represented and under-served students, Filipino American students utilize their various forms of community cultural wealth to create one of the most visible performances on their campus and a cornerstone coming of age experience for Filipino American youth. But as the Pilipino Cultural Night has become larger and more institutionalized, students must deal with the shifting scales of value for various forms of community cultural wealth. The balance that these students attempt to strike between the shortand long-term goals of the production, its intrinsic and extrinsic value, and the Filipino and Filipino American traditions that it celebrates, reflect the dynamic process of culture that goes far beyond the stage. Through exploring these struggles, diversity and inclusion efforts on college campuses can gain a holistic understanding of how to serve emerging student populations who seek more than mere representation.