Mabuhay Cultural IHs

Ben Gonzalez: The founder. Former advisor of the Mabuhay Cultural Club. Adapted the idea that Filipinos should take their awareness of their heritage to the next level.

Ben Menor: The valued mentor. Former CEO/Chairman of JTS Northside Community Center. Directed Independence's last four PCN's. Continues to offer theatrical expertise.

Nita Lumagui: The reliable one. Always the head of the parents committee. Auntie Nita has given a lot of time, effort, and money to ensure that Mabuhay Cultural Club stays on top of where it currently is. She keeps the dancers healthy, happy, and active.

Cec Bell: IHS Principal and 2007-2008 Mabuhay Advisor. A driven and responsible woman who believed it to be a necessity for Mabuhay to represent the very best in Philippine culture to Independence High School. Born in the Philippines, but very much raised in the states.

Mariel Biol: The best advisor Mabuhay has ever had. Very dedicated to his club and keeps it strong mentally. Award-winning teacher. Has decided to resign indefinitely as Mabuhay's Head Advisor to pusue a career in nursing.

Trudl Meniado: Former advisor. Current MCC consultant. Lets MCC use her room as a meeting place for conferences and get-togethers. A woman who always makes sure Mabuhay is on track with everything important.

Louie Caces: Mabuhay's Advisor for the 2007-2008 school year. Saved the club from absolute turmoil due to unforeseen circumstances. Mr. Caces has donated his time from his busy outgoing lifestyle to help with the daily traditions of Mabuhay. Like, Mariel Biol before him, Mr. Caces has also taken part as a dancer in PCN--where he did the Tinikling, a crowd favorite. Louie Caces is the youngest advisor to this day.

Hiyas Philippine Folk Dance Company: The best at what they do. The 2007 Cabinet believed it was important to hone Mabuhay's growing skill in Folk Dance, and what better way than to ask the best folk dance troupe in the bay? Led by Jeff Bado and Justin Mambaje, the Hiyas Philippine Folk Dance Company specializes in delivering the very best in traditional Philippine folk dance in an age where dances are butchered and modernized. Hiyas has provided Mabuhay with live percussion and rondalla music for their 3rd Annual PCN, and has also worked on giving Mabuhay's dancers better form.

Akbayan of SJSU: The Kuyas and Ates. The Hyphy Heroes. They've been active with Mabuhay since the Ben Menor days. This group is mostly responsible for their current repertoire. Akbayan and Mabuhay's relationship remain one of the strongest in terms of Student-Run Organizations, as both ultimately have the same goal. Mabuhay's Pilipino Cultural Nights are modeled after Akbayan's Pilipino Cultural Nights.