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If you are an alum of FASO and/or have any information about FASO's history or the history
of Filipino students at Notre Dame, please send us an e-mail! We are still trying to get in touch
with our roots as a club and learn more about our history.
PRE-HISTORY OF FASO
Between 1974 and 1978, Michelle Batacan, Tom Gotuaco, and Andy Gotuaco were the only Filipino undergraduates at Notre Dame. They, together with 13 other Asians on campus formed the Amerasian Alliance Club. This club boasts the first concession stand serving lumpia and fried rice. Michelle and Giselle are all siblings who attended ND, making their parents the first Filipino Americans to send all their children to ND.
CLUB ORIGINS
FASO was founded in 1986 as Club Philippine. The club immediately began contributing to the multicultral community at Notre Dame, participating in such events as ISO's International Festival, Welcome Weekend, and Culture on the Quad. Traditional Tinikling was a staple in FASO events.
FASO THEN AND NOW
Sometime in the 1990s, Club Philippine was renamed FASO--the Filipino American Student Organization.
FASO grew into one of Notre Dame's strongest student organizations in promoting Filipino tradition and cultural diversity. In fact, in the late 90s and early 2000s, FASO was looked to as the leader of the Asian clubs, serving as the umbrella organization that AAA (Asian American Association) serves as now.
FASO continues to enrich diversity on campus. On October 29 2003, FASO hosted Princess Emraida Kiram from the Philippines to offer a talk on "Being Muslim in Christian Philippines." FASO also routinely helps the Admissions Office with Spring Visitation Weekends for prospective minority students, with such activities as serving lumpia (2002) or performing traditional dances (in 2010, Maria Clara and Bangko). In 2010, Randall Ang and Anne Robles started offering Tagalog lessons.
FASO is also unique amongst Asian clubs in its commitment to service and charity as well spiritual growth. FASO serves such local organizations as the Catholic Worker House and Center for the Homeless. On October 15, 2009, FASO worked with AAA to hold a charity dinner ("Kabayanihan Dinner") for the Filipino victims of Typhoon Ondoy. FASO has also put on several retreats: It held a leadership retreat in spring 1997 and held its first annual Fall retreat in October 1997.
If there's one thing that FASO members do best, it's dancing! In 1995, FASO held its first Fiestang Filipino, a now annual dinner show presenting Filipino culture that is recognized as one of the marquee cultural events on campus. FASO also participates in AAA's Asian Allure, where our Modern Tinikling Dance is consistently a fan favorite. In 2002 and 2004, FASO teamed up with the Hawaii Club and AAA to put on Island Themed formal dances ("A beautiful Night on the Islands/Magandang Gabi sa Isla" in 2002, "The Island Formal" in 2004).
FASO also stays involved in the greater Michiana Filipino community, as well as in the Midwest in general. FASO actively participates in FAAM (Filipino American Association of Michiana), performing for such events as FAAM Christmas dinners. FASO often attends such Asian conventions as MAASU (Midwest Association of Asian Students in Universities), FACT (Filipino Americans Coming Together), and MAFA (Midwest Association of FIlipino Americans). In 2011, FASO is planning to attend an intense tinikling competition--Battle of the Bamboo!
And as always, FASO is committed to fostering a sense of community, friendship, and family. The FASOpening Bonfire introduces new members to the FASO family. The Ate/Kuya Program each year pairs freshmen with upperclassmen so freshmen can learn more about Notre Dame. Halo-Halloween, when members trek to Niles Haunted House and return to ND for halo-halo, remains a club staple.
HONORS AND AWARDS
Organization of the Year (from the Multicultural Students Programs and Services), 2001-2002
Program of the Year (for Fiestang), 2008
FASO continues to be one of the most prominent clubs on campus.
Please join us in carrying on our strong tradition and helping promote the splendor of the Philippines.