FILCOM Center Fall 2025 Program

Theme: "Habi" - Weaving Filipino Culture

Program Overview

The Filipino Community Center's Fall 2025 Program embraces the theme of "Habi," the Filipino word for weave, symbolizing how the program intricately weaves together diverse aspects of Filipino culture into a beautiful, cohesive tapestry of community engagement and cultural preservation.

What Makes Fall 2025 Extraordinary

The Fall 2025 Program represents an unprecedented gathering of world-class Filipino cultural masters and experts, creating a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for comprehensive cultural immersion and learning. This season stands as FILCOM Center's most ambitious and distinguished programming to date.

Master Artists and Cultural Luminaries

Philippine National Artist Mr. Ryan Cayabyab - The Philippines' most celebrated composer and musical genius brings his expertise directly to FILCOM Center. Known as "Mr. C," this National Artist for Music will conduct an exclusive workshop, offering participants rare access to the creative mind behind countless Filipino musical masterpieces and contemporary compositions that have shaped Philippine music for decades.

Dr. Joy Marfil - This award-winning composer and musicologist leads the Rondalla workshop, bringing decades of expertise in traditional Filipino string ensemble music. Her distinguished career in both performance and composition ensures participants receive authentic, high-level instruction in this classical Filipino musical tradition.

Dr. Aurelio Agcaoili - One of the Philippines' most respected linguists and cultural scholars conducts the Ilocano Language Classes. His academic rigor and deep cultural knowledge provide learners with authentic language instruction rooted in cultural context and historical understanding.

Parangal Dance Company - This internationally-acclaimed ensemble brings their professional expertise to FILCOM Center through an intensive two-day Philippine Traditional Dance Workshop. Their global recognition and commitment to authentic Filipino dance traditions offer participants training at the highest professional standards.

Hibla Philippines - Direct from the Philippines, traditional weaving masters conduct the signature Habi Workshop, connecting participants to ancestral textile traditions through hands-on learning with authentic techniques and cultural knowledge passed down through generations.

Unparalleled Comprehensiveness

This fall program uniquely weaves together every dimension of Filipino culture in a single season:

Music Mastery: From National Artist-level composition workshops to traditional Rondalla and contemporary Banda Kawayan
Dance Excellence: Professional-level instruction spanning traditional Philippine dance, rural folk dance, and regional Mindanao traditions
Instrumental Arts: Hands-on learning with traditional Filipino instruments (bamboo instruments, Rondalla, and kulintang) and ensemble performance
Martial Heritage: Authentic Eskrima training preserving Filipino warrior traditions
Creative Expression: Contemporary arts through painting, traditional crafts, and innovative recycled art projects
Traditional Crafts: Direct connection to ancestral weaving techniques with master practitioners
Professional Development: Livelihood workshops and career advancement opportunities
Holistic Wellness: Integration of traditional healing (Hilot), fitness, and intergenerational wellness programs

Program Structure

The Fall 2025 program is organized around multiple Program Pillars (Kultura, Kabataan, Kinabukasan, Kalusugan, Kapaligiran, Kababayan) that serve as the foundational threads of our cultural tapestry:

Featured Programs by Program Pillar

KULTURA (Culture)

September:

Ilocano Language Class - Saturdays, 1:00-2:30 PM (September 13, 20, 27; October 4, 11, 18) at Conference Room with Dr. Aurelio Agcaoili (REGISTER: https://givebutter.com/filcomfall2025)
Eskrima Workshop - Wednesdays, 6:30-7:30 PM (September 17, 24; October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; November 5, 12, 19) at Consuelo Courtyard with Hawaii Defense Academy (REGISTER: https://givebutter.com/filcomfall2025)

October:

Rhythms and Movements of Mindanao (featuring Kulintang) - Sundays, 1:30-4:00 PM (October 5, November 2, November 30) at the Flores Ballroom with House of Gongs (REGISTER: https://givebutter.com/filcomfall2025)
Rural Dance Workshop - Tuesdays, 5:00-7:00 PM (October 7, 14, 21, 28, November 4, 11) at 1st Floor Breezway with Ray Rausa (REGISTER: https://givebutter.com/filcomfall2025)
Rondalla Workshop - Tuesday-Monday, 3:30-5:30 PM (October 14-20, except October 18) at Conference Room with Dr. Joy Marfil (REGISTER: https://givebutter.com/filcomfall2025)
Philippine Traditional Dance Workshop - Thursday-Friday, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM (October 16-17) at the Flores Ballroom with Parangal Dance Company (REGISTER: https://givebutter.com/filcomfall2025)

November:

Music Workshop with Philippine National Artist Mr. Ryan Cayabyab - Tuesday, 4:30-7:30 PM (November 4) at Casamina Ballroom (REGISTER: https://givebutter.com/MrRyanC)
Habi Traditional Weave Workshop - Wednesday-Friday, 5:00-6:30 PM (November 5-7) at the Consuelo Courtyard with Hibla Philippines (REGISTER: https://givebutter.com/filcomhabi)

KABABAYAN (Community)

October:

Bayanihan Gala - Saturday, 5:30-9:00 PM (October 11, 2025) at Tapa Ballroom, Hilton Hawaiian Village (REGISTER: https://givebutter.com/FilComGala)
Parangal Dance Company Cultural Showcase - Saturday, 6:00-9:00 PM (October 18, 2025) at Casamina-Flores Ballroom (REGISTER: https://givebutter.com/parangal)
Filipino American History Month History Fest featuring Eskima - Saturday, 10:00 AM-2:00 PM (October 18) at Casamina-Flores Ballroom with Filipino American Historical Society of Hawaii (REGISTER: https://givebutter.com/fahmescrima)
Kamayan Filipino Food Week Special - Sunday, 6:00-9:00 PM (October 19) at the Consuelo Courtyard (REGISTER: https://givebutter.com/ffwkamayan)

November:

FilCom Sundays: Habi Fashion Show - Sunday, 6:00-9:00 PM (November 9, 2025) at the Consuelo Courtyard, featuring Hibla Philippines (REGISTER: https://givebutter.com/habifashionshow)

December:

Pasko sa FilCom - Sunday, 5:00-9:00 PM (December 14, 2025) at Casamina-Flores Ballroom
Sakada Day Celebration - Saturday, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM (December 20, 2025) at Casamina-Flores Ballroom

KABATAAN (Youth)

September:

Banda Kawayan - Weekdays, 2:00-5:00 PM at August Ahrens with Rafael Velasco

October:

Filipino for Kids Fall Program - Saturday, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM (October 25, 2025) at Flores Ballroom with Fil4Kids

KALUSUGAN (Health & Wellness)

September:

Zumba - Mondays, 6:15-7:15 PM (September 8 - December 8) at Consuelo Courtyard with Rose and Troy Mendoza of 808 Pinoy Crew
(REGISTER: https://givebutter.com/filcomfall2025)
Ballroom Dancing - Tuesdays, 6:30-7:30 PM (September 2 - November 25) at the Consuelo Courtyard with Himig at Indak
Smart Seniors: Binaylan Gentle Movement - Thursday, 5:30-6:30 PM (September 11) at the Consuelo Courtyard with Gwen Arbaugh (REGISTER: https://givebutter.com/2yyJOs)
Smart Seniors: Story Telling/Hawaiian Quilting - Thursdays, 5:00-7:00 PM (September 18 & 25) at Conference Room with Poakalani Hawaiian Quilt Design (REGISTER: https://givebutter.com/2yyJOs)

October:

Smart Seniors: Coffee and Paint - Thursday, 5:00-7:00 PM (October 2) at the Consuelo Courtyard with Zach Angeles (REGISTER: https://givebutter.com/2yyJOs)

KINABUKASAN (Future/Professional Development)

September:

NCLEX Review - Wednesdays, 5:00-8:00 PM (September 3 - November 19) at Conference Room with HiNAMi

October

Kinabukasan Series - Thursdays, 6:00-7:30 PM (October 9, 23; November 6, 20; December 4 ) at Flores Ballroom with Harosky Homes

KAPALIGIRAN (Environment)

November:

Recycled Parol Making Workshop - Sunday, 2:00-5:00 PM (November 2) at the Consuelo Courtyard (REGISTER: https://givebutter.com/parolmaking)
FilCom Cleanup and Beautification Day - Sunday, 2:00-8:00 PM (November 23) at the Consuelo Courtyard

December:

FilCom Cleanup and Beautification Day - Sunday, 2:00-8:00 PM (December 1) at the Consuelo Courtyard Courtyard

This comprehensive programming was made possible through the generosity of our Fall 2025 Program Sponsors: Harosky Homes, Ramar Foods, Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, with funding support from the State of Hawai'i and the City and County of Honolulu. Special thanks to our community partners who are assisting us in some of our programs: Alpha Phi Omega Hawai'i, Filipino American Historical Society of Hawai'i (FAHSOH), Filipino Association of University Women (FAUW), Hawaii Nursing Advocates & Mentors, Inc. (HiNAMI), Himig at Indak, Knights of Rizal (KoR), Protectors of Paradise (PoP), University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Hawai'i (UPAAH).

World-Class Standards

Every instructor represents the pinnacle of expertise in their field. This caliber of instruction—featuring National Artists, internationally-recognized performers, award-winning composers, and master craftspeople—ensures participants receive authentic, professional-level cultural education rarely available outside the Philippines itself. The program eliminates the barrier between community programming and world-class cultural education, bringing Philippine cultural masters directly to the Filipino-American community.

Cultural Authenticity and Innovation

The Fall 2025 program perfectly embodies the "Habi" theme by weaving traditional authenticity with contemporary relevance. Participants learn from source masters while exploring how these traditions evolve and adapt within the Filipino diaspora experience. This balance ensures cultural preservation while fostering innovation and personal creative expression.

Looking Forward

The Fall 2025 "Habi" program sets the foundation for the Spring 2026 continuation, ensuring year-round cultural programming that adapts to community needs while maintaining core Filipino values and traditions.

Conclusion

Through the "Habi" theme, the FILCOM Center's Fall 2025 program successfully weaves together education, community building, cultural preservation, and skill development into a comprehensive tapestry of Filipino-American engagement. Each program thread contributes to the larger pattern of community strength, cultural pride, and sustainable growth for the Filipino community.

For detailed program schedules, locations, and registration information, visit www.filcom.org

FilCom Fall Program 2025