Despite the emergence of many new, non-funded student groups on the Kean campus, culture based groups are few and far between -- though, to merely refer to FUNK as just a culture group, would be to ignore all that makes this group unique. Filipinos Uniting Nations at Kean (FUNK) explores the culture, trends, history, and connection among Filipinos; and of course, like many Kean University groups, the doors are open to any student.
Students may have recognized this charismatic group for their performance-style approach to marking themselves at this past Campus Awareness Festival. FUNK utilized engagement based tools like music, dance, and small flash mobs during the events -- and the chemistry of it all must have worked. During their second general body meeting of the semester, the already large group grew. With a solid backing, FUNK well positioned to be a force this year.
The founding fathers of FUNK are Lester Bosea, a senior majoring in psychology pre-occupational therapy track, and Eric Capito, a junior graphic design major. In a chanced and perhaps fated encounter, the two past presidents of their own culture organizations sought the creation of a Filipino-focused group on the Kean campus. Together, the now co-presidents can boast one of the more successful newer 2011-12 non-funded groups.
One ambition for FUNK this year is to network with other universities through participation in the national organization, Filipino Intercollegiate Networking Dialogue - or FIND, Inc. This organization connects Filipino students and Filipino-based student groups in competition and collaborative events, each hosted yearly at different campuses. FUNK participates in FIND – District 3 – the tri-state area – for their respective competitions. The competitions are a driving force for recognition and proof of inter-club camaraderie, challenged through formats of dance, song, male and female pageants, improv-skits, and sports. Outside of FIND, Inc. involvement, FUNK has already adopted group members from outside campus walls; some stemming from Essex and Bergen County College.
FUNK officially became recognized in Spring 2011, but the impact FUNK has made in their networking channels initiated even before their recognition was finalized. Just weeks prior to launching their group as a official one on CougarLink, FUNK entered into a FIND volleyball tournament and took the first place trophy back to their home here on the main campus. The win marked the kind of potential this group had, and surely made a statement as to what FIND – Division 3 should expect in the upcoming years from such a chapter.
To prospective members and students just looking for a place to find themselves, co-president Bosea echoed these words: "Know culture, know self; no culture, no self."
