The Scottish Rite Masonic Center in San Francisco was at its capacity for SF State’s 36th annual Pilipino Cultural Night on Saturday, May 3.

“I’d just like to thank the audience for making this our first sell-out [show] during will call,” announced Daisy Lopez, head coordinator, to a cheering crowd. More than 750 people were in attendance for the show.

The student-run event, put on each year since 1972 by the Pilipino American Collegiate Endeavor organization, celebrates Pilipino culture with a complete theatrical production showcasing traditional dances and songs, as well as modern choreography and original numbers.

Over 100 SF State students volunteered to participate in this year’s production, which involves everything from writing the script, composing the songs and creating the choreography since last December.

“People gave up a lot of their time to participate in this show, they put in a lot of effort and it’s become something really quite amazing,” said 19-year-old PCN co-director Tonichi Lorenzana.

Paglingaon Sa Pinanggalingan, meaning “looking back to where you came from,” told the story of 22-year-old Tina Buenviaje (played by Natasha Hernandez) and her struggles with being both Filipino and American.

The show’s theme of learning to appreciate one’s cultural values and upbringings was laced through a string of comical characters including the lovable mother (played by Pauline Guiuan) and the over-bearing, old-fashioned grandmother or "lola" (played by Edeline De Guzman).

The audience didn’t seem to mind the performance’s length, which was nearly three hours long. The theater remained packed for the entire show, the roar of constant laughter and applause throughout the night made it clear attendees were entertained.

“It was beautiful,” said Kristy Mercado, who went to watch her niece on stage. “[The show] reminds me of all the times I was back in the Philippines, and the eulogy [scene], it made me cry.”

“It was great. Honestly, it was worth the $12,” said SF State student Nathaniel Ramos, 22, majoring in business and marketing. “I was in the [PCN] at Skyline [college], and now I’m seriously considering doing it again here.”