Venessa Manzano: A Mother’s Dream That Became a Cultural Legacy

NEW YORK - When Venessa Manzano looked at her young children growing up in New York, she saw both opportunity and risk. The opportunity was a future enriched by diversity in one of the world’s greatest cities. The risk was losing touch with their Filipino roots—the language, traditions, and values that shaped her own upbringing.

Rather than wait for someone else to fill that gap, Manzano took the first step herself. In 2008, with little more than determination and a vision, she launched a pilot program in Jersey City to teach Filipino culture to the community’s youth. What began as a small gathering of families would grow into The Filipino School of New York & New Jersey, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that has since become a cultural anchor in the Tri-State area.

Turning Vision Into Action

For Manzano, the school has always been about more than classes—it’s about identity and belonging. “I wanted my children, and all Filipino American youth, to know that their culture is something to be proud of,” she has said. That conviction became the school’s heartbeat, driving programs in folk dance, language, arts, and traditions that now serve both children and adults.

Her leadership transformed community spaces—dance studios, classrooms, and church halls—into places where culture comes alive. Students learn to dance the tinikling, craft Christmas parols, write in Baybayin, and play the kulintang. Along the way, they discover that being Filipino is not just history—it is a living identity.

A Community Built on Bayanihan

What makes Manzano’s story so remarkable is that she built the school not from wealth or large institutions, but through bayanihan—the Filipino spirit of communal unity. Parents volunteered, educators donated their time, and local groups collaborated to keep the vision alive.

In 2018, the school celebrated its 10th anniversary with a lively barrio fiesta, filled with music, food, and performances. It was more than a party—it was a milestone that proved how one woman’s dream could grow into a shared legacy for an entire community.

Inspiring the Next Generation

Today, The Filipino School of New York & New Jersey stands as a beacon for families seeking connection to their heritage. Generations of students have gained not only cultural knowledge but also confidence in their identity. Many parents credit Manzano and her team for giving their children something priceless: pride in being Filipino.

Seventeen years after its humble beginnings, Venessa Manzano’s vision continues to ripple outward. What started as a mother’s wish for her children has become a gift to the community, ensuring that Filipino traditions are not only remembered, but celebrated.

Her journey reminds us that change often begins with one person’s courage to act. And in building this school, Venessa Manzano has shown that preserving culture is not just about looking back—it’s about shaping the future with pride, purpose, and heart.