Filipino Youth Activities In Seattle

Sandwiched between the Olympic mountain range due West and the Cascade mountain range due East, the culturally diverse city of Seattle borders the pastoral waters of the Puget Sound. This dynamic region with visible mountains and tangible waters offers a host of activities for Filipino-American youth. Filipino youth activities in Seattle include the nation's only Filipino drill team and Filipino basketball league, in addition to martial arts, sports, cooking and nutrition programs sponsored by the Filipino Community Center of Seattle designed to foster health and fitness.

The Filstar Program

The Filstar program in Seattle invites Filipino youth in both high school and middle school to participate in this weekly program that emphasizes Filipino history and culture while employing physical activity such as dancing, singing and hip-hop. Students collaborate to create a showcase of their physical talents. Filipino youth also learn to prepare a healthful meal for their showcase featuring culturally authentic foods they learn to prepare and serve. The money raised from their dinner goes to support more Filipino youth programs and field trips.

The Filipino Youth Activities Drill Team

Originated in 1959, the Filipino youth drill team of Seattle is the only one of its kind in the nation. What makes this drill team different is that it embodies Filipino heritage, folk-dancing and martial arts into each performance. The Filipino youth drill team is open to boys and girls ages 5 to 20 years old and has an average annual membership of 60 to 70 kids. You do not have to be Filipino to join. The drill team meets weekly for a four-hour practice. The Filipino youth drill team performance includes precision marching, balancing on bamboo poles and slicing hand-held, 8-foot-long bamboo sticks in mock duals. The Filipino youth drill team performs both floor and parade routines, with an estimated 30 performances in the greater Seattle area in 2010. Shows in 2010 included the annual Seafair Torchlight parade and the Seattle Center Pagdiviwang Philippine Festival.

The Filipino basketball leaque

The Filipino basketball league of Washington has 10 to 12 teams in 10 divisions. Players can register online by filling out a simple application. As of 2010, the registration fee is $550, $100 of which must be remitted at the time you apply.

The eligibility requirements for the divisions include: Open division players must be male, and no age or height requirements apply; Woman's division players must be female, and no height or age limits apply; Class A division players must be male, 6 feet, 7 inches tall or lower, no age or height limits apply; Class B division players must be 6 feet, 6 inches tall or less, no age limits; Class C West, players must be male, no age or height limits apply; Class C East players must male, 6 feet, 4 inches or less, no age limit; Class D and E division players must be 6 feet, 4 inches tall or less, no age limit; Class F, G, H division players must be 6 feet, 2 inches or less; Class F division players must be 6 feet, 1 inch tall or less; Class G & H division players must be at least 15 years old; Asian division players must be 6 feet, 2 inches or less; and in the Masters Division, players must be male and at least 35 years old.

Seattle's Burke-Gilman Bicycle Trail

Seattle has its own bicycle highway system called the Burke-Gilman trail. This paved trail is for non-motorized vehicles only, making it a safe and enjoyable experience. The Burke-Gilman trail was created to improve the quality of life for Seattlites and is free for all to use. Walk, jog, skateboard or ride your bike on this extensive, paved trail system that was the former railroad line, dismantled and recreated into the Burke-Gilman trail in the 1970s. This scenic alternative was designed to create an alternative for children and adults to recreate and tour the scenic byways of Seattle. The trail extends some 50 to 60 miles, running generally north to south from one end of the city to the other and beyond, curving around Lake Washington and Lake Union and tapering off in the south end of the city in Seward Park. The Burke-Gilman trail is a great, free resource for Filipino youth to get outside and get some exercise as well as touring the gorgeous, diverse region of the Seattle area.

Go Fish!

Seattle has many waterways, including the Puget Sound residing to the west, Lake Union and Lake Washington and Greenlake, which are centrally located, and the Duwamish River located in the south end of the city. Fishing is a dynamic outdoor recreational activity for Seattle Filipino youth. You can fish at any of the waterways in Seattle by obtaining the appropriate Washington state annual fishing license and following the rules and regulations thereof. For a fee, you can take a chartered fishing trip from the Seattle waterfront. Fishing any of the many watering holes in the greater Seattle area is a great way for Filipino youth to recreate outside and maybe even catch a fish.