“Halo halo” is the name of a popular Filipino dessert of fruits, nuts and other items. It translates as “mix mix” in English.

But for MSU’s Philippine American Student Society, Halo Halo is an annual cultural event -a sort of mix of Filipino culture and traditions with American style and influences.

The society held its Halo Halo 2002 at the Kellogg Center Auditorium on Saturday night. The event brought cultural awareness as well as entertainment to an audience of more than 100.

It was also a blend of acting, singing and dancing.

Blending of different elements is characteristic of Filipino culture, and the show is a way for students to learn more from it and connect with it, said Paulette Bolofer, a kinesiology junior and next year’s society president.

“Our culture is a mix of other cultures, and is integrated from a variety of others, like Chinese and Spanish,” she said.

“I think (the show) will help put us out there, because not a lot of people know about our culture.

“It’s like we’re making fun of our culture, in a way, about things that are stereotypical in it, but it’s all in fun.”

The show began with spoken word performances from Bolofer and Marc Johnston, a human biology junior and society member.

The performances set the pace for the show’s centerpiece, “The Fresh Prince of the P.I.,” a play which used the premise of the 1990s sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” The play blended examples of American culture and Filipino culture as its Filipino-American lead character struggled to cope with new surroundings at his relatives’ home in the Philippines.

The show shifted from using modern hip-hop songs to incorporating Filipino songs and traditional dances such as the Paso Doble, Sakuting and Tinikling.

The Singkil was one of several dances that relied on bamboo poles for rhythm and dramatic effect. Dancers moved to the beat in full costume, with other dancers rolling bamboo poles against the stage to represent an earthquake in a story involving an escaping princess.

“The Filipino community here isn’t very big, but our bonds and strengths as a family and community here on campus is really strong, so we want to represent that to everybody,” English senior and society member Valentin Solano said.

“I think we accomplished that.”

Many agreed that the show was worthwhile.

“It was a lot of fun,” said Romeo Salvani, a telecommunication senior and group member. “It rejuvenated my pride in my culture and my heritage.”

Halo Halo also pleased audience members, entertaining them and educating them about Filipino culture.

“These people portrayed American as well as Filipino culture, and brought them together,” supply chain management senior Krishna Achuthanandam said. “I hope they continue doing this.”

The whole show was the end of a productive year for the society, which practiced several times a week to prepare for the performance in only a month, society president and marketing junior Ryan Abenes said.

“I feel like we had a good reaction from the audience. It wasn’t flawless, but it was a good show,” said Kevin Nadal, the society’s adviser and choreographer of three of the dances.

“I think it really did what its purpose was, which was to promote cultural awareness in the community.”