Anthony Diaz, a political science student at San Diego City College, had the opportunity to try out Filipino food and connect with Filipino culture.

“Lunch and food in general is a very important aspect of culture,” Diaz said. “Food is meant to be shared, and I know that food is meant to bring people together.”

The Kaibigan Luncheon event capped off Filipino History Month at City College by bringing students together at the AH and BT Quad for lunch and an opportunity to build friendship.

The event showcased performances from groups such as Doce Pares, a Filipino martial arts group, Samahan Performing Arts, a traditional Filipino music and dance group, and Cypher State, a Filipino hip-hop dance group.

Cesar Gumapas, a public information officer at City College, was also the featured DJ for the event.

Kirin Macapugay, director of the Inclusive City Achievement Network program and professor at City College, helped in supporting this event.

“We have lumpia, pancit,” Macapugay said. “We have other Filipino food, too. It’s really important to us that we support our local businesses in San Diego, so we have very authentic Filipino lunch for folks.”

Filipino History Month is celebrated because of the significance of Filipino history in America, according to Macapugay.

“Oct. 18, 1587 was the first time Filipinos landed here in the United States,” Macapugay said. “We’re actually the first Asians to set foot in the United States when the Philippines traded with Mexico.”

Macapugay also said that Filipino History Month officially became a tradition in 2009 because of this historical fact.

Filipinos have played a role as a large community that shares its culture in the scope of making connections and creating meaningful friendships.

“I’ve known Filipinos all my life,” Diaz said. “They’re some of the most close-knit communities, largest communities and families.”

As communities come together to celebrate and learn about Filipino culture, it highlights the importance of diversity and togetherness.

“Diversity is a beauty and a strength, that’s the biggest thing I want all of us to take away,” Macapugay said.

For more information on upcoming events by the San Diego City Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Connections Center, see their Instagram page.

This story was edited by Nadia Lavin and Briana Bush. Multimedia journalist Samira Hassan contributed to this report.