Northeastern University's Barkada

Northeastern University's Barkada began as a small group of Filipino/Filipino-American students who aspired to have their culture recognized at the university. They wanted to have an organization that united people who embrace Filipino culture and wish to spread it through cultural, educational, and social activities. With hard work, dedication, and the aid of their club advisor Dean Perkins, Barkada became an official NU organization on January 26, 1998. Throughout its years as an established student organization, NU Barkada has grown to become a bigger family than its founders had ever imagined. However, the organization still holds true to the guidelines and values set forth by its founders, and continues to build upon their strong foundation. "Barkada" is a word from the one of the main Filipino languages, Tagalog, which means "group of friends." We embrace each and every one of our members as not only friends, but family, as well. NU Barkada's logo, from one aspect, resembles the Nipa Hut, a bamboo shelter built in the rural, coastal areas of the Philippines. Barkada, like the Nipa Hut, provides its members with support and is built to withstand adverse conditions, day-in and day-out. Sheltered within the Nipa Hut beneath the sun and the moon, the flag of the Philippines symbolizes the rich Filipino culture from which Barkada draws its roots. The logo also resembles two people, hand-in-hand, dancing Tinikling, a Filipino cultural dance. This encompasses one of the primary goals of NU Barkada, which is to educate others about the Filipino culture and try to bridge the gap that separates people from different walks of life.