In honor of October being Filipino History Month, the Philippine American Student Society sponsored a celebration Tuesday at the rock on Farm Lane to educate students and provide information about the organization.

The group painted the rock in the afternoon to commemorate the first-time event.

There was a traditional dance performed by members of the society as well as music and food available, including banana fritters and fried mangos.

About 75 people stopped by to participate.

The 10-year-old group, which has about 50 members, aims to promote cultural awareness and provide academic, political and social events for the Filipino community.

Society President Ryan Abenes said it is important to demonstrate diversity on campus.

“One of the key things we try to do is cultivate the freshmen and show them leadership skills,” the marketing junior said. “We want to share our culture. There’s a lot of Asian Americans, and there’s many people out there with many cultures inside of them. We wanted to show what we’re all about.”

And Abenes said the group is open to educating nonminority students as well.

“On this campus, everyone is family,” he said.

Diane Cortes, the society’s vice-president and a telecommunication senior, said the event was a huge success.

“This is the biggest we have been,” she said. “We have a lot of enthusiastic members.

“We’re all here for each other in our cultural and social environments.”

The group is working on planning several other events in the near future to recognize Filipino History Month.

Kevin Nadal, an academic guidance counselor in the Office of Supportive Services, said it is important for students to learn about Filipinos.

“The purpose of this is to spread the awareness of Filipino culture at MSU,” he said. “I like the idea that bystanders are stopping in to talk and learn more. There has been a positive reception.”