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Get To Know Us
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About TCNJ Barkada
Barkada in Tagalog translates to "a group of friends." As the name suggests, we strive to create a sense of friendship and family among our members and with other organizations within and outside TCNJ. Barkada focuses largely on Filipino culture and heritage through cultural, social, and community activities; in doing so, we invite everyone to participate and learn more about Filipino culture. So if you're Filipino, have Filipino friends, enjoy Filipino food or other aspects of culture, or just want to try out something new- join the club and come out to our upcoming events!
Our History
2021-2022 Executive Board Photoshoot
In Spring 2007, TCNJ Barkada was proposed to the Student Government Association (SGA) as the first organization to represent the Filipino community at The College of New Jersey. Met with SGA approval, Barkada was subsequently made an official organization. That same year, Barkada joined the Pan-Asian Alliance (PAA), a partnership involving the Asian American Association (AAA), Chinese Student Association (CSA), Korean Student Association (KSA), Japanese Student Association (JSA), Indian Student Association (ISA), Taiko, and DragonFlies.
Throughout 15 years, Barkada has made great strides and has successfully made its presence known within the community at TCNJ. Barkada's members have had the opportunity to annually participate in AAA's Mystique of the East, a cultural show involving Asian acts, dances, and musical performances by organizations in PAA. Barkada also founded a pageant between all PAA organizations called PAA Bae which showcases cultural as well as individual aspects of each contestant and club. Magkasama which means “to be together” is another event founded and also hosted by Barkada and includes Filipino games and activities, and we even had a special guest in Raps from Rutgers New Brunswick who joined us in 2023. In February 2019, Barkada held a general body meeting called Step Into the Circle, with Union Latina and the Association of Students of Africa (ASFA) where students discussed cultural differences regarding education, sexuality, and race. Additionally, During the Student Organization Awards in April 2019, Barkada was awarded the Legacy Program of the Year for Barangay, our annual cultural show. Our advisor, Alberto Carbonilla also won Advisor of the Year!
In addition to campus involvement, Barkada has extended its friendship and support with other organizations beyond TCNJ. We aim to provide multiple opportunities to see other Filipino programs held in neighboring colleges and areas. Creating bonds and expanding student networks outside of the TCNJ campus is made possible through Filipino Intercollegiate Network Dialogue, Incorporated (FIND, Inc.) and District V (D5) events. Our very own members— Krish L., Jay Guevarra, and Viane Villanueva have even participated as contestants in the Mr./Miss D5 Pageants! We are also proud to announce that TCNJ Barkada hosted FIND Dialogue 2019, a national event on campus, by collaborating with FIND, Inc. and District 4.
In recent years, Barkada fostered a sense of family within members through social activities such as KNI outings, D5 events, tinikling practices and even upstairs STUD hang-outs. In the future, the club hopes to foster a brand new generation of Barkada who truly knows their roots by creating connections between a pre-pandemic and post-pandemic world, between alumni and freshman, and most importantly, a deeper connection between members and their cultural identity. Barkada’s goal is to nurture an environment that allows everyone to feel understood, and that allows everyone to understand what being Filipino is all about. Barkada invites all to join and support this organization and its events!
2011 Seniors at the End-of-Year Dinner
The TCNJ Barkada Constitution
OUR ADVISOR
Alberto Carbonilla — “Tito Abet”
Alberto Carbonilla has 30 years of experience in training, organization development, intercultural communication, and educational management. He has worked and lived in The Philippines, Japan, and the United States. He has a Master’s Degree in Communication from La Salle University in Philadelphia, with an emphasis on organizational and intercultural communication.