By Sarah Cardeno
Staff Writer
Around 500 people attended or participated in the Barkada Club’s 22nd Annual Pilipino Cultural Night at the Monsignor Aiden Carroll Student Activity Center on Saturday, April 17.
Doors opened at five, dinner was served at five-thirty and the show began at seven.
“We’ve been practicing for this since November, and it’s finally here,” said junior Maryanne Mendoza.
Junior Alyssa Calderon served as one of Barkada’s vice presidents this year.
“It’s been a roller coaster,” she said of the planning and practices. “However, at the end of the day, these people have seen me at my worst and my best and have loved me no matter what.”
The night before the event the club members practiced until midnight. Every year, the night before the Barkada show, the club holds a midnight practice in the Brutacao Library.
Freshman Patty Dimaano participated in her first midnight practice.
“It’s really chaotic,” she said. “Everyone is trying to get everything done for the show the next day. However, we shared a lot of laughs and memories together. After all, who gets to practice in the library till midnight?”
By the time midnight practice was over, everyone was exhausted.
“I can’t wait to get some sleep,” sophomore Raymond Gonzalez said.
However, this long-awaited sleep was interrupted because members had to report to the gym by 7:30 a.m.
They had to set-up and put the floors, tables and chairs down before any practice could be done.
A lot of the member’s parents came out and helped out.
At about 6:50 p.m., everyone gathered in the hallway close to the boy’s locker room.
“Through all the drama, we were able to pull through it as a family,” senior Ashley Bacus said.
Barkada members considered the show successful.
Those who attended previous shows said this one was the best they’ve been too.
“This year’s show was much easier to follow and the transitions were much faster,” sophomore Kassandra Tayag said.
Junior Andrea Villanueva also enjoyed the show.
“The story was so funny,” she said. “Also, the props made it easier to picture the scene.”
