Pillars

Akbayan SJSU was founded on three pillars: Social, Community and Political Affairs, and Cultural with the addition of Academics in 2015. With the fours pillars, the organization strives to give our members an opportunity to learn about the Pilipinx culture, develop a sense of community, achieve academic excellence, and embrace in friendship.

cultural

Mabuhay! Hello!

My name is Hallie Gwen Funcion (she/her/siya)! I am a current 2nd year majoring in Psychology, part of Legendary Fam, and I am proud to be serving as the Cultural Chair for the 2023-2024 school year!

Joining AkbayanSJSU was an eye-opening experience for figuring out my own cultural identity. For my first year in college, the organization had welcomed me with open arms. It is a community that I am grateful for and proud to say that I have made close bonds with my peers because of all of the programs. However, the aspect that I am most grateful for within the organization is giving the members, Pilipinx or not, the opportunity to learn about our culture and recognize the beauty of it.

Throughout the 2022-2023 school year, I joined the AkbayanSJSU Internship Program and have become involved in the choir and cultural dance aspects of Pilipinx Cultural Night (PCN), and I strive to further establish my involvement in the organization while learning more about Pilipinx culture. The organization has allowed me to become more culturally aware and fully embrace my roots. I have learned to be truly prideful of my heritage. Thank you to the Masaya Interns for being the rock that I am able to lean on today!

A fun fact about myself is that I am a Carat! I LOVE Seventeen, and I actually saw them in concert last August. On KAAMP Reveal Day, my reveal poster was shaped as Seventeen’s light stick. It’s hung up on my wall! Shout out to my Ate Leilana for making that piece of ART!

ACADEMICS

Hello everyone i hope everyone is doing well!

My name is Jaren Alanis my pronouns are he/him/his. I am a third year majoring in Liberal Studies Teacher Prep. (Liberal Studies or LSTP), minoring in Asian American Studies. And i am happy to serve at your Academic Chair for this school year!

A little journey of my experience in Akbayan. I was picked up in during KAAMP Galaxy in Fancy Fam from my Ate Mia and (shoutout to my line hotLINEbling). I was a fam rep for Fancy Fam and I was also a part of two cores last year, one being CORESine for academic core and the other being Sana CORE. I was also a Masaya Intern! I did two PCNs which were PCN 34: Mano Po and PCN 35: Hiraya Manawari.

A few fun facts about me is that I am actually from San Diego. I also love sports which i love the Padres and Chargers. And I am a Kpop fan as well which i follow Enhypen, Twice, Stray Kids, and BTS.

I’m so excited to make so much memories with everyone this school. Feel free to follow me in IG @jkei18

community & Political Affairs

Hey y’all!

My name is Sean Colina, pronouns he/him. I am a 3rd-year Chemical Engineering major and I am serving as your Community and Political Affairs (CoPo) Chair for the 23-24 academic year!

I am a part of TRU fam, picked up in fall of 2022 by my Kuya Kevin! In spring ‘22 I attended the RAAP (Raising Awareness Among Pilipinx) conference and was inspired to join CoPo core and eventually run for the position.

A few fun facts about me, I can make several different types of bird calls, I have a mental 3-D map of locations that I have been to often, and I enjoy the outdoors and nature! On the flip side, I also enjoy video games, such as Valorant and Minecraft as well as EDM music.

I am excited to see y’all out and about, making unforgettable memories together :D you can follow me on Instagram at @seanc7903 and updates on CoPo-related events at @akcopo

social

Hey Y’all!

My name is Mariegrace Unajan, my pronouns are she/her/hers, I’m a 2nd year Chemistry Major, and I will be serving as your Social Chair for this academic school year! I was picked up in Fall 22’ by my wonderful Ate Emily in ICON Fam! Last year, I was involved with Friendship Games as well as PCN 35: Hiraya Manawari in the spring. Throughout these events and programs, I have always enjoyed getting to know people more and more. Being a part of this organization has allowed me to grow as a leader, friend, and as a person.

A little bit more about me is that there are 5 things I can’t live without: family, friends, headphones, stationary, and aquaphor. Also, if I had a free day, I would get ready for the day, go to the gym, do some thrifting or go to Barnes & Nobles, and go back home to watch a studio ghibli movie!

If y’all ever need someone to hype you up or if you are in a silly goofy mood, feel free to follow me on instagram @mariegracexu! I’m so excited to meet and get to know y’all and as always take care :D