Bayanihan Student Organization
at Marquette University
By Jun Davantes

Bayanihan is a Filipino term taken from the word bayan, referring to a nation, town or community. The term bayanihan refers to a spirit of communal unity or effort to achieve a particular objective.

I came to Marquette University as a freshman naivély expecting to continue life as usual, including my connections to Filipino culture; but it was difficult to do. I noticed the lack of cultural diversity on campus. Growing up in Chicago, I was accustomed to the diverse cultures in that city. The first year or two in college is tough for many students because of the course load and career decisions to be faced; and I found it a difficult adjustment. The lack of cultural connection and support made the experience even more challenging. I felt lost and confused. Though I got involved with FAAWIS through the dance troupe when I first arrived at Marquette, I still needed to connect with other students who were facing similar experiences.

I knew a little niche of Filipino friends and groups that would get together under social settings but no formal Filipino student organization had been recognized by the university. Thus, in 1988, during my junior year at Marquette, I founded the Bayanihan Student Organization (BSO).

I had two goals when I started the organization. First, I wanted to promote educational and cultural opportunities for both Filipino and non-Filipino students at Marquette. I wanted to familiarize students with the social and cultural attractions of the Philippines. Second, I wanted to establish a group that new and existing Filipino students could join that was familiar, comfortable and supportive for them.

The popularity of the organization was evident. We had over 60 members in its inaugural year. After seeing our success, David Uy started a similar Filipino student group at UWM. Around this time, similar organizations were also formed at Marquette and universities and colleges around the Midwest.

The 2007 BSO has 20-30 active members. It is involved in a variety of university-sanctioned events and activities such as: fashion show, big brother/big sister mentoring and Filipino Week, just to name a few. It is also a participating member of the Midwest Association of Filipino Americans (MAFA). 

The Bayanihan Student Organization has far exceeded my expectations.  I once said that if the organization were still around five years after I graduated, I would consider that a success.  BSO has now existed for over 18 years.  In a recent BSO meeting I attended, the members see the organization as a support group and as their family away from home.  I am thrilled by the dedication, support and excitement that the officers and members have for the organization.  I see in them the same passion and devotion I had when I founded the group.  I am confident that the organization is in good hands and that it will be around for many more years to come.