Kababayan's Annual Hip Hop Showcase Benefits Filipino Orphanage
By Donna K. Delfin

Irvine, CA (May 27, 2004) - Legs flailing in the air. Lyrics dropping over beats. Beautiful sounds chirping from vinyl records.

What's this?

These are just some of the images you see when watching Kababayan's annual hip hop showcase benefit. According to the mission statement on their website, "Kababayan at UCI promotes awareness and enrichment of the Pilipino(a) culture, tradition and heritage. As a student organization, Kababayan emphasizes the social, cultural, academic, political, and community aspect of the Pilipino American experience."

The UCI Kababayan club worked with two community groups (Foundation Funkollective and Katipunan-USA) to organize this evening event of "edutainment". The education-entertaiment theme filled the evening by displaying emcees, b-boys (male breakdancers), spoken word artists, and turntablists (dj's) and poppers. Performances by Kaba Modern, The Rocksteady Crew, UCI Breaking Club, The Foundation Funkollective filled the stage and showcased the diversity of the hip hop elements and contributions of Pilipino Americans.

The Crystal Cover Auditorium at University of California, Irvine was filled with 150 audience members who paid $3 donation to benefit the Santa Marina Omura Orphanage in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines. This orphanage is run by Catholic sisters and clergy and manages the care of young girls, ages five to fifteen, to ensure they have a proper education. Many young girls are given various responsibilities and activities outside of schoolwork. Girls learn how to tend a vegetable guarden garden, assist in setting up the table for meals, sweep the floors to ensure a clean environment. Katipunan-USA held a similar hip hop showcase in 2001 with proceeds also benefiting this orphanage.

The night proved to be a success as people bopped their head to the music.

Related link:
http://spirit.dos.uci.edu/kababayan/