UHMFIL is committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion of peoples from diverse backgrounds. While rooted in our Filipino heritage, we strive hard to continue to develop curricular and pedagogical innovations that honor students’ funds of knowledge and lived realities in the context of Hawaiʻi, the Philippines, and the continental US. We honor the rich history and diverse cultures of Filipinos in the Philippines and in many diasporic communities around the world.

At UHMFIL, we are proud to have Filipino teachers who come from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. They represent the diversity of Filipinos’ complex history and lived experiences. Besides speaking (Tagalog-based) Filipino, we have teachers who speak Cebuano, Ilokano, Tagalog, Kinaray-a, and Hiligaynon, among others. Our program offers language, literature, culture, and sociolinguistic classes which provide opportunities for appreciation and critical awareness of our rich traditions, diverse cultures, and lived realities. We strive to provide a learning environment that is conducive to all types of students regardless of ethnicity, race, language, gender, class, and religion.

We commit to be your kaakbay sa pangarap or companion in reaching your dream while at UH Mānoa. In different Philippine languages we say: Kauban sa pagkab-ot sa imong pangandoy. Tulungandakayo a manggun-od dagiti arapaapyo. Kaupod sa imong panghandum.

For more about the Filipino program, visit their website: http://www.hawaii.edu/filipino/

Major: Bachelor of Arts in Philippine Language and Culture

The program has the following objectives: prepare students for future careers in community service and education; prepare students for advanced research and/or graduate studies in various fields in the humanities and social sciences; and ultimately, serve students of Filipino ancestry by providing them with a better understanding of Philippine culture and proficiency in a Philippine language. More details about majoring in Filipino.

Minor in Filipino

Students completing the program would have both oral and written competence in Filipino as well as cultural content sufficient for use in professional careers, graduate work or research, and field work. More details about minoring in Filipino.

Language Certificate: Filipino/Tagalog

Upon completing 15 credit-hours beyond the intermediate level with a 3.0 GPA in their coursework, the student may apply for a Certificate in Filipino. More details about language certificate.

Katipunan Club

The Katipunan Club at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is a RIO (Registered Independent Organization) dedicated to the practice, preservation and promotion of Filipino language skills and Philippine cultural identity.  Our active membership is primarily comprised of over 300+ beginner to intermediate second language learners in FIL 100-200 level courses offered by the Filipino Language and Philippine Culture Program. These students are granted automatic membership by virtue of their enrollment in the course.

However, we are also welcome anyone from any background, regardless of whether or not they are Filipino. We have also cultivated a strong alumni network, with many former members returning to teach Philippine language/culture courses or advise the club in some capacity. More about Katipunan Club.