FilCom’s Kundiman 808 Promotes Healthy Youth Relationships

Filipino Community Center brings back Kundiman 808 for the second year this Sunday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at its Waipahu headquarters on Mokuola Street.

The event will feature poetry, music, Filipino martial arts, dance and more — and this time it will all presented for the purpose of raising awareness about domestic violence among youths.

“Kundiman is a genre of Filipino music: love songs,” explained organizer Marie Ramos, who spearheaded the first Kundiman 808 event when she was FilCom’s program specialist. “Under colonial rule, it developed into a secret method of expression for one’s love of country and desire for freedom.

“My goal for Kundiman 808 was to create an event that focused on our youths, honored our ancestors and various cultures, and allowed for community building,” Ramos explained.

FilCom launched Kundiman as a way to get teenagers and young adults more involved in the center, while also showcasing various aspects of Filipino culture. Last year, artists shared what their Filipino ancestry meant to them.

“I saw how empowering and healing it was for all those who attended last year’s event,” she recalled. “As soon as we ended the program, people were asking me when the next one would be.”

Ramos wanted to focus on domestic violence this year because she believes that cultivating healthy relationships also will lead to healthy communities. Also on the program agenda is an informational session hosted by UH Manoa’s Gender Equity office, as well as various activities designed to encourage dialogue about domestic violence.

“I am hoping that those who attend will be empowered, that they recognize the power of their own voices and be inspired to get involved in the community,” Ramos said.

Kundiman 808 is free and open to the public.

For more information, email Ramos at Kundiman808@gmail.com.