'25-'26 Dev Corner: KAPA Reflections & Pre-Midterm Perseverance

September 28, 2025

YOOOO TROYPHI!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope you are enjoying the semester thus far and our lovely programming. KAPA Season is coming to a momentous close, PAHM is slowly approaching, and we are already starting practices for Filo Field Day and our Pilipinx American Culture Festival (PACF)! Whether you are picking up or getting picked up, have been to every GM or only a few, I hope you have found a vibrant and hospitable community in our organization.

KAPA reveals are this Saturday!! This is one of my favorite events of the year, and I hope it will be for you (especially the littles!). Every new reveal becomes an important expansion of these family lines, dating back to before my time. Scrolling back through our Instagram, I’m amazed by how the KAPA program has grown for more than a decade! The massive breadth of these lineages makes me reflect on how we think about family and genealogy. How do these families morph over time, era, and culture? What role do kuyates play in passing down these lessons and values imparted to them by their own bigs? The core question then becomes, on both sides of the coin: How do you define your family? 

These questions remind me of a song by Blood Orange, where Janet Mock defines what family means for her: “I think of family as community…the spaces where you don’t have to pretend or to perform. You can fully show up as you are, without judgment, without ridicule, without fear or violence…and you're filled all the way up.” The people in my line have become positive mentors in my life, helping me acclimate myself to USC student life and introducing me to other parts of Troyphi. It allowed me to connect with more people and granted me the space to show up without pretense or performance. For me, the KAPA program has built a community where my kuya, my siblings, and I explore the world and Troyphi’s programming hand-in-hand, searching for new connections and experiences and growing personally. The KAPA program shows that self-care is not a solitary pursuit and has defined what family means to me. Now I ask you, kuyates: How has your line impacted your life? How has it changed you for the better, and how will you continue to foster this culture for your adings?

I also leave this one for the littles: As you step into your respective family, what part of yourself do you hope to grow and share with your big?  Take some time to think about these during the week, as you look forward to reveals! ❤️

Midterm season is almost here… chat how are we feeling? October will be a busy month for all of us, including PACF and Filo Field Day practice. What activities do you do to maintain balance and peace of mind? Do you have an exercise regimen you stick to? Do you get food with your friends? How do you separate your time for work and play? Many obligations and responsibilities will challenge your time management and capabilities in the coming semesters, and allowing space to maintain one’s physical and mental well-being will become equally important. Before the start of October, I encourage you to make your own list of self-care activities. In your free time, try to do one! 

Getting ready for internship application season or looking for scholarships? USC and Troy Philippines have some resources to offer!

• Connect with our LinkedIn! We have been reposting some opportunities and highlighting our members’ professional accomplishments during the summer. If you want to showcase your admirable work to our TP network, fill out this form!

• Alimento-Niere Scholarship for Filipino Engineers and Architects (Due October 12, 11:59PM!) This is a scholarship opportunity posted by PACE director Opportunities and scholarships on the #opportunities Discord channel! As always, we encourage all members to post any resources.

Fun fact: I’m writing this right now at a recently opened Filipino-inspired cafe in Silver Lake called Malaya. They have an amazing selection of lattes, ice cream, and pastries like Ube ensaymadas! I highly recommend supporting this Filipino-owned business and exploring the greater communities of Los Angeles by talking with the people and owners, or inviting friends to try the Pandan latte (my favorite).

Stay strong through the coming month! Your KAPA family and Troyphi will be here for you and help you persevere. As always, continue to sign up and show up for our PAHM programming, including Filo Field Day, PACF, and our lovely GMs hosted by DCE! And remember that self-care is a collective pursuit and every day is a gift. Feel free to reach out to me at nostrati@usc.edu or at TP events. I look forward to seeing y’all during PAHM!

Signing off,

Floyd Nostratis