2015 Filipino American History Celebration

Celebrate Filipino American history and culture at the Asian Art Museum’s annual festival featuring free admission, art displays, music, dance, stories and other performances.

2015 Filipino American History Month Celebration
Sunday, October 4, 2015 | 10:30 am to 4 pm
Asian Art Museum, 100 Larkin St., San Francisco
FREE – RSVP on Facebook

The 2015 theme, “Ugnayan Lahi,” is the weaving of a cultural tapestry between generations. Learn from longtime Filipino American community leaders, meet rising artists, dance to traditional and contemporary music and enjoy bomb Filipino cuisine. With special guest emcees Mel Orpilla, dedicated martial artist, tattoo enthusiast & Filipino historian, plus Kae Hope (Hopie) Echiverri Ranoa, Bay Area hip-hop artist and lawyer.

You can also access the final days of “First Look: Collecting Contemporary at the Asian” featuring prominent Filipino artists Manuel Ocampo and Norberto Roldan.

2015 Schedule of Events

Opening Ceremony
Featuring Panawag, the Summoning of the Gods
11 am–12 pm, Samsung Hall
Through dance and music, participants present seven auspicious offerings: rice, water, sugarcane, betel nut, fire, salt and sulang-sulang, a traditional headgear worn by deities. The ceremony, choreographed by artist Jay Loyola, concludes with the tying of the “lubid,” a ceremonial rope to represent the weaving of past and present Filipino American traditions with folk and blues music.

Isang Himig A Capella
12–2 pm, throughout the museum
Hear singing in the galleries? That’s Isang Himig, a multicultural a cappella group from the University of California, Santa Cruz, associated with the University’s Filipino Student Association. Isang Himig, which means “one voice” in Tagalog, aims to spread awareness of Filipino American culture through their harmonies. You’ll find the group singing throughout the museum, bringing music to typically quiet spaces.

Calligraphy Artist Demonstration and Hands-on Activities
12–4 pm, North Court
Watch artists Kristian Kabuay and Lane Wilcken create magic with words as they demonstrate Baybayin calligraphy, the ancient native writing system of the Philippines. Then try out your own artistic skills with a hands-on activity.

Rondalla Music
2–2:30 pm & 3–3:30 pm, North Court
Be immersed in the vibrant sounds of the rondalla, a stringed instrument ensemble brought to the Philippines during Spanish colonization that evolved into a distinctive style. Performers come from the American Center of Philippine Arts, a local nonprofit that provides young people the opportunity to learn about the country’s history and culture through dance, music and the arts.

YouTube Showcase of Local Filipino Music Videos
12:30–1:30 pm and 3:30–4 pm, Samsung Hall
Find a new favorite tune and get your groove on. Lawyer and musician Kae Hope Echiverri Ranoa (aka “Hopie”) curates a YouTube playlist of local, contemporary Filipino music videos.

Panel Discussion: Community Organizing through the Generations
2–3 pm, Samsung Hall
Learn about Filipino American history from the 1700s to the present day through a presentation and panel discussion by local activists, academics and artists. James Sobredo shares early Filipino American history, community leaders Terry Bautista and Vicky Santos talk about activism in the mid-20th century, and hip-hop artist Mario de Mira (aka “Nomi”) delves into the contemporary scene.

Ongoing
Table Presentations
11 am–4 pm, Loggia
Dynamic displays presented by local education organizations provide background on Filipino art, culture and history. Topics include 100 years of Filipino American history, the West Bay Pilipino Multi-Service Center, the “How My Family Came to America” essay project and more.

Filipino Arts Storytelling Tours
10:30 am; 1 and 3 pm
Meet at the information desk

Docent Tours: Filipino Arts
11:30 am and 2:30 pm
Meet at the information desk

Gallery Talk: The Art of Piña Cloth
12:30–1 pm and 3:30–4 pm, Resource Center
Explore the exquisite tradition of piña, a unique fabric woven from pineapple fibers. Fashion designer and activist Patis Tesoro and editor Edwin Lozada discuss Piña: An Enduring Philippine Fabric, led by Philippine American Writers and Artists, Inc., which educates the public about this rich cultural practice.