Students who have dreamed of visiting the Philippines, but don’t have the money or motivation to make it happen, can experience the next best thing tonight on the NIU campus.

Philippine Cultural Night will feature Filipino food, games, music and lectures. The events last from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Newman Catholic Student Center, 512 Normal Road.

It is co-sponsored by Alpha Phi Gamma, the Center for Southeast Asian Studies, the SA, University Programming and Activities and the Philippine Student Association.

Rey Ty, a graduate assistant at the Center for Southeast Asian Studies and one of the event’s organizers, said the event is a unique opportunity for students.

“NIU has very rich resources regarding Southeast Asia,” he said. “Many students who go there end up wanting to become Southeast Asian minors. This is a way to experience the Philippines without actually traveling there. Students attending will enrich not only their cultural lives, but their academic lives as well.”

PSA President Liciele Tumang said the culture is not that well-known compared to other cultures.

“The Philippine culture is not advertised as much,” Tumang said. “There are Chinatowns, but no Philippine towns, if you know what I mean.”

Susan Russell, director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies, hopes the event builds awareness in the community.

“I hope and think by attending this that students will gain a better cultural awareness of Philippine culture and Philippine-American culture,” she said. “They are largest Southeast Asian-American group in this country.”

The event will offer several unique experiences. Among them will be a traditional Filipino royal bamboo dance and a blessing ceremony.

“The ceremony shows respect for elders and teachers,” Russell said.

The event will feature the teacher honoring ceremony, although the organizers are attempting to focus more on students than in past years.

“We are trying to gear it towards the students, because in the past, other events had been geared more towards the faculty,” Tumang said. “We are trying to combine old traditions and new culture.”

The event is free and open to everyone, but a full meal will cost $5. For more information, call 753-1771.