Various cultural organizations at the University of Connecticut held an event on Tuesday, Feb. 20. The Thai, Lao and Cambodian Student Association (TLCSA), Filipino-American Student Association (FASA) and Delta Phi Lambda (DPhiL) hosted this gathering for members and those looking to join each organization. The event was held in room 102 of the Lawrence D. McHugh Hall in the evening, meant to act as a joint-collaboration to celebrate Asian and Southeast Asian cultures.
The TLCSA “educates and brings awareness of Lao, Thai, and Cambodian culture, history, and traditions to UConn. We strive to create a comfortable space for the Lao/Thai/Cambodian community and the students of the university by building a strong unity within us, and by hosting educational and awareness events of the Lao/Thai/Cambodian culture and history,” according to their presentation. DPhiL was established in the spring of 2016 and introduced themselves as “an Asian inclusive, not Asian exclusive, sorority that advocates for Asian awareness, empowers women leaders and forges Everlasting Sisterhood.” Another organization that was involved was FASA; in their presentation, they stated that they are a “student-run organization within the Asian American Cultural Center. Our purpose is to bring together the Filipino community at the University of Connecticut and to make the university, as well as other institutions, more knowledgeable about the Filipino culture.”
The event began with an introduction to the Chinese zodiac, complete with 12 creatures. Although it is called the Chinese zodiac, this tradition has spread to the vast majority of Asia. The zodiac consists of the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit (or cat in Vietnamese culture), dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. Each correlates to a specific year and follows in that order. Similar to other zodiacs, some believe that the signs represent your personality and compatibility with others — specifically when it concerns romance or success in life. The first part of the event was the Zodiac Riddle Challenge, where each member of the audience was given a piece of paper highlighting their random zodiac sign, and they had to find another person who was compatible with them. After that they were given a list of riddles to solve together, the first partnership to solve all six riddles received a panda-shaped container of jelly as a prize.
The second game was based on the procession ceremony found in Thai, Lao and Cambodian weddings. TLCSA members explained that the procession was the beginning of the wedding ceremony, where the groom would lead a parade of family members and friends to the bride’s house. This procession was complete with music, offerings of food and gifts. The game started off by having four group members balance a Swiffer Sweeper together and complete various tasks. The balancing act is based on the Cambodian wedding tradition of the bride and groom balancing a sword on their hands to symbolize eternal love and loyalty to one another. After the tasks, the groups were then asked a series of trivia questions to test how well they paid attention to each organization’s presentation. Following the quiz, they were tasked with collecting “Monopoly” money spread throughout the lecture hall. The collection of money was meant to reflect the wedding tradition of paying the bride’s family for her hand.
The final activity was musical pairs, in which people found a partner and played a game of musical chairs. Instead of sitting in chairs when the music stopped, they would have to reach their partner and touch two body parts that the announcer states. This varied from something as simple as hand-to-hand, to some more complex combinations like calf-to-shoulder. The last partnership to complete their goal would be eliminated each round. The winners at the end received vouchers to FASA’s next fundraiser.
Despite coming from different cultures, members of all the organizations represented enjoyed every activity.
Sean Pagsanhan, a sixth-semester student, stated that his favorite part of the event was “the brooms, because it was chaotic and fun.” Ralph Campos, a second-semester student, stated that “I liked the musical chairs where you’re on opposite sides of the room, mostly because I like sprinting.”
Some future events for each of the organizations were mentioned. DPhiL is holding a spam musubi and fruit tea fundraiser on Friday, March 22 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Dairy Bar Too, located inside the Student Union near the Student Union Theatre. FASA is also holding a fundraiser at the Dairy Bar Too on March 5, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., selling lumpia and calamansi juice. They are also hosting a 3v3 basketball tournament to raise money for their scholarship fund. It will take place at the Hawley Armory on March 2, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The price to play is $10 per person.
Keep an eye out on each organization’s Instagram page or other social media handles to learn more about upcoming events and fundraisers.