Bayanihan Community Center

Resources. Community. History. Education.
All the above stated is definitely here. I work with the Galing Bata After School Program and the Bayanihan Community Center is a big part of our family. We come here often to watch movies and to have meetings or gatherings.
Everyone is very friendly and it provides a space for generations to interact.
Inside you’ll find the Arkipelago bookstore and the Veterans Equity Center. During the week there is a food distribution for the seniors. We’ve been wanting to have our students help out with that. However, the times are a little hard to work with because of the school day schedule.
Just recently the 10^th annual parol festival occurred. Bayanihan provides instructional sessions for contingents and community members to learn how to make parols. What’s great about our lantern festival is that the contingents can compete to win up to $ 500! We won $ 75 for 3^rd place. A big victory for us.
Thanks for always being there for us and the community!
Until next time, don’t forget the lechon!

Great space. It’s home to so many organizations and events. It’s really clean. Has a conference room and projector booth/​set-​up. Staff is somewhat friendly (if you know them).

Reason for visit: Parol Workshop
Visit date: November 18, 2011
First time? Yes.
What an experience! I had been waiting a whole year to attend a BCC parol making workshop (I didn’t get to go last year). The community center is in a slightly scary neighborhood; I was even warned by someone walking around that I should be careful (it’s cause I’m small, huh?). But, once inside, the atmosphere is inviting. The parol workshop was held in the main room. Tito MC was our instructor for the evening. The BCC provided us with all the supplies to make our parols, with the option to purchase parol kits to make more at home. The workshop was scheduled for 5:30p to 8p. Come on time because parols take forever to put together, especially if it’s your first one (or are out of practice). If you do come late though, or you really don’t want to build the structure, they may be able to provide you with the star and all you have to do is decorate it. Another fun fact — they get the essential materials straight from the Philippines! (e.g. bamboo, cellophane)

cool place for a workshop. very clean and open space, including a kitchen. i was impressed that the workshop did not start the typical «filipino time». made me a happy person.
the outside on the other hand. sketchy. between the dirty street and the sidewalk dwellers, i felt the need to walk fast to and from my car.

way to freaking fail on positively 6^th street fair organization
twice canceled in one year with no notice on the website.
according to doorman it was because they failed to secure permits.
this is something you KNOW AHEAD OF TIME.
daughters showed up to perform and their mothers came to watch yet there were no performances, just sleeping drunks on the sidewalk.
thanks bayanihan community center for really letting a neighborhood down hard.

The Bayanihan Community Center is pretty flippin’ awesome.
As a Fil-​Am Community Activist, I’ve been here numerous times on separate occasions, and each time is more fulfilling than the last.
Whether it’s just to visit it, stroll the Arkipelago Bookstore, have a meeting, watch a theatrical performance such as the Hulk Hogancito one they had a couple months ago, the Bayanihan Community Center is a place that’s just pretty fun.
Plenty of organizations such as SF State’s Pilipino American Collegiate Endeavor, KulArts, and others use the center as a place to hold discussions, forums, and meetings, and it’s good for that too. Aside from one main hall, the lobby, the bookstore, and its meeting room, it’s hard to believe that such a small place can be used to do so many things. This is even a central meeting hall for the annual Parol Festival!
Again, going here for any occasion is good. If you’re Filipino and in the SF area, you owe it to yourself to check this place out, even if it’s just to check out the Arkipelago Bookstore or even use the restroom.