With cultural promotion and heritage preservation among its goals, the officers of the Hiraya Foundation staged one of the most lavish and memorable events the Filipino American community has seen in recent memory, the Baile Filipiniana 2022 Filipino American Heritage Ball.
“We Filipinos, both from the motherland and of the diaspora, have distinct and unique contributions to world advancement. It is now time to present us in ways that we deserve and in platforms and venues worthy of who we are,” Dr. Romulo Aromin, President, and Chair of the Hiraya Foundation for Filipino-American Heritage Preservation said, as he welcomed guests and attendees to the fete held at the Grand Ballroom of The Plaza Hotel.
A not-for-profit, non-partisan, and independent tax-exempt organization based in New York, Hiraya was conceived to rally and unify Filipinos across the United States to work together to appreciate, promote, and preserve Philippine culture.
“Our Filipinoness gets centerstage at Sininglahi’s Baile Filipiniana as we focus on master artisans and tradition bearers, beef up the support of indigenous weaves with (Cora) Manimbo and (Ulysses) King creations using natural piña and other natural weaves,” Aromin shared in his speech.
The evening’s program also showcased the enchanting Philippine Ballet Theatre interpreting the narrative of Jose Mari Chan’s music. On the gastronomy side, Executive Chef Richard Brown of The Plaza Hotel highlighted the world-class artisanal chocolate Auro for a decadent dessert while Tanduay Rhum and calamansi were the featured ingredients for one of the evening’s cocktail drinks.
“It is such a beautiful event, it is so nice seeing all these Filipiniana gowns tonight and the community uniting and coming together to help us preserve and promote Filipino culture and heritage,” Dr. Dely Po-Go told the Asian Journal. “It is high time that we do this, this is just the beginning.”
The grand ball is the maiden event of Sininglahi, a fundraising program designed to raise
appreciation and understanding of Filipino history and culture among members of the Filipino-American community and support for various efforts for heritage conservation. It is a collaborative endeavor among the Philippine Consulate General New York, Sentro Rizal, and the Hiraya Foundation.
Aromin acknowledged that Hiraya is just an emerging organization and thanked the guests for their support of the organization’s projects. He thanked his fellow members of the Board of Trustees – Dr. Dely Go, President-Elect; Lawrence Safran, Secretary; Nora Galleros-Tinio, Treasurer; and Jovy Rabelas, Press Relations Officer.
“I humbly ask for your continued support so that time shall allow us to deliver on what we promise and that Hiraya is worth your trust, your time, and your collaboration,” he said.
Among the guests of honor were Antonio Lagdameo, Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Deputy Consul General Arman Talbo, and community leader and philanthropist Loida Nicolas-Lewis.
In his speech, Ambassador Lagdameo paid tribute to Filipino migrants, describing them as hardworking, adaptable, and resilient.
“Filipino migrants are also a major contributor to the economy and sustainable development of both the host country and our motherland,” Lagdameo said. “I laud the Hiraya Foundation and wish them the very best in their efforts to promote the rich culture and the history of our inang bayan.”
Last July, Hiraya held the first-ever Gawad Alab ng Lahi: Pagkilala sa Mga Natatanging Dangal ng Lahing Pilipino at the Whitby Theater in Manhattan and honored Filipino nurses who have been tirelessly serving in the frontline against Covid-19 and veterans seeking recognition for Filipino World War II veterans.
Also among 11 individuals, organizations, and enterprises that were honored were a Filipina lawyer-philanthropist seeking a cure for a rare degenerative disease that afflicts Visayan men and an American businessman-philanthropist who helped bring the Balangiga Bells back to the Philippines.
The foundation, which derives its name from an ancient Tagalog word conveying the realization of one’s dreams and hopes, aims to further stage events that embrace the cultural influences that have helped shape generations of Filipinos throughout the decades.
Photos by Ray Maranan for Hiraya Foundation
