BYU–Hawaii’s Banyan Dining Hall received top national honors at the 2025 Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards, hosted by the National Association of College & University Food Services (NACUFS). The university earned gold in the Residential Special Event of the Year category for its “Pista Sa Nayon” celebration, a Filipino town fiesta-themed dining event. It went on to beat winners from larger institutions throughout the United States to take home the grand prize award.
The grand prize was announced during the NACUFS awards ceremony held on Friday, July 11. This prestigious recognition is awarded to the best overall event across small, medium, and large school categories, highlighting excellence in student experience, cultural authenticity, and creativity in collegiate dining.
The Pista Sa Nayon event held on October 23, 2024, transformed the Banyan Dining Hall into a vibrant Filipino village complete with traditional foods, music, cultural performances, and community celebration. The event was led by Banyan Dining Hall manager Marilou Lee with support from David Keala, BYU–Hawaii’s Food Services director.
“I think it stood out because it felt like a real celebration,” said Lee. “We didn’t just serve food, we brought a whole Filipino town fiesta to life with music, decorations, and community. People could feel the love and authenticity behind it, and that made the experience special.”
A Campus-Wide Effort
The event was not just a dining hall showcase, but a collective effort by student employees, cultural performers, and Filipino student leaders who ensured the event reflected the heart of Filipino traditions.
“Getting Filipino students involved made everything more personal and authentic,” Lee explained. “They shared ideas, helped with the setup, and brought their culture to life. I think their pride and excitement made the event feel extra meaningful and helped everyone enjoy it even more.”
One of those students was Valery Kathryn Olea, a sophomore from the Philippines majoring in visual arts, who worked as the event’s graphic designer. She created banners, posters, and helped with decorations.
“It was a very meaningful experience because I wasn’t just designing banners and posters or even decorating,” Olea shared. “I was helping bring Filipino culture to life in a way that others could see, feel, and connect with. It made me proud to represent my culture and collaborate with a team that shared the same passion.”
She added, “Designing for ‘Pista Sa Nayon’ was about communicating identity, unity, and pride. Without purpose, designing will just be something like drawing in the air.”
Keizha Felix, a sophomore from the Philippines majoring in communications, also participated in the event as both a cashier and a performer representing the BYU–Hawaii Hip-Hop Club.
“I had the opportunity to be part of the hip-hop dance team and one of the choreographers in the traditional folk dance tinikling,” she said. “It was a unique opportunity for me to represent both the modern and traditional sides of Filipino culture.”
Felix emphasized the event’s emotional impact. “It felt like home to me, as it brought together the sounds and flavors of the Philippines in a way that was both nostalgic and heartwarming,” she said. “I think even more special was seeing international students come together to celebrate and learn about Filipino culture with us.”
Behind the Scenes
Jiiva Nicole Orcuse, a student manager at the Banyan Dining Hall and a sophomore from the Philippines double majoring in business management and political science, was the on-floor supervisor during the event. She also authored the written entries and essays submitted to the NACUFS competition.
“Being part of ‘Pista Sa Nayon’ deepened my pride in Filipino culture in ways I never expected,” Orcuse said. “Sharing my culture in such a public, celebrated way made me realize how important and fun it is to keep it alive.”
She added, “Helping lead ‘Pista Sa Nayon’ taught me how to turn cultural pride into impactful storytelling and experiential learning. I’ve learned how to use both words and action to celebrate identity, bring people together, and leave a lasting impression.”
Another team leader and student employee, Frances Rapanut, a freshman from the Philippines majoring in psychology, also served as an on-floor supervisor, echoing many of Orcuse’s reflections on pride and impact. “Seeing students and staff from around the world light up with curiosity and joy as they tasted our food, watched the performances, and learned about our traditions reminded me how rich and beautiful our heritage is,” Rapanut said.
Passion and Love for the Work
The national recognition marks a major milestone in BYU–Hawaii’s history of student-centered events. The NACUFS grand prize award is typically won by larger institutions with expansive dining teams and budgets.
“I hope it shows that even small schools can create something amazing and memorable,” Lee said. “You don’t need a huge team or big budget, just passion, teamwork, and love for what you do. I’m really proud of our team at Banyan Dining Hall.”
Raja Babu, a student manager at Banyan Dining Hall and a junior from India majoring in information technology, shared how the event left a lasting impression on him, saying, "I was able to see the Filipino cultural experience, like different kinds of food that I had never tried, cultural dance, and songs.”
Babu also emphasized how the experience resonated with his own cultural identity. “Being part of this award-winning event truly deepened my appreciation for my own Indian culture,” he shared. “As I watched the Filipino community proudly share their traditions—the colorful dances, heartfelt songs, and delicious food—I was reminded of our festivals like Diwali and Holi, where we come together with joy, color, and connection.”
He added, “I felt that this event brought unity among all the people, to see the joy with one mind and spirit. And for a moment, Banyan became a ‘mini-Philippines.’”
Cultural Belonging through Dining
The Pista Sa Nayon was about belonging, celebrating culture, and bringing people together; values that align closely with BYU–Hawaii’s vision to be “an example to the world of intercultural peace and unity through living the teachings of Jesus Christ.”
“Being able to share [our culture] with a diverse student body at BYU–Hawaii was powerful,” said Olea. “This event helped me gain more admiration for the Tagalog word kapwa, which is a sense of shared identity or togetherness, where one recognizes others as extensions of themselves. That’s the whole point of ‘Pista sa Nayon.’”
Felix agreed. “Because of the event, I saw how people from different places and cultures came together to celebrate and learn about Filipino culture. I will forever value that cultural expression can be a powerful tool for connection and building communities.”
With the national spotlight now shining on BYU–Hawaii’s dining program, the campus community looks forward to continuing its tradition of meaningful, inclusive, and joyful events that celebrate the stories of its students.
Pista Sa Nayon at the Banyan Dining Hall proved that when heart and heritage come together, even a small campus cafeteria can make a big national impact.