‘Philippine Nationality Room’ Being Developed at University of PITTSBURGH

13 July 2007 — Consul General Cecilia B. Rebong of the Philippine Consulate General in New York , US A reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh (FAAP) is spearheading the creation of the ‘Philippine National Room’ at the historic Cathedral of Learning of the University of P i t t s b u r g h in Pennsylvania to commemorate the history, culture and people of the Philippines.  

“This Philippine cultural and historical cornerstone is being built to join 26 other classrooms exceptionally build by other European, Asian and America n countries,” Consul General Rebong said.  The Consul General visited the Open House of the Nationality Classrooms in the University of P i t t s b u r g h ’s Cathedral of Learning on 11 July 2007.  

She said that FAAP President Tina Purpura and architect Warren Bulseco ensure that the classroom commemorates the history, culture, and people of the Philippines .  They have finished the design process and are now raising funds to begin building the room.  This unique assembly of rooms attracts 40,000 visitors annually and provides spaces for classes, meetings, and cultural activities.  

The Philippine Nationality Classroom will be designed by noted Philippine architects Cristina Turalba, Eliseo Art Silva and local design consultants.   The design, using materials, furniture and art pieces created by artisans and craftsmen from the Philippines , will have museum-quality standards, and will comply with the Nationality Rooms’ design guidelines and the University of Pittsburgh 's construction guidelines.  The University requires that the historical period to be depicted should predate 1787, the year of the creation of the US Constitution and the founding of the University of Pittsburgh .  

“For the 26 other rooms, community members of participating countries contributed with generous support, often providing architects, artists, materials, and monetary gifts to assure authenticity and superb quality in their classrooms.  FAAP hopes for the same for the Philippine Room,” Consul General Rebong reported.  

She explained that over five years of research and consultation with experts and artists to decide the room’s design resulted in three concepts for consideration namely the Bahay Kubo (Nipa Hut), Dap-ay (Pre-Colonial Community Courtyard), and Bahay na Bato (Stone Ancestral House).  

At a meeting on 13 September 2006, the FAAP Philippine Nationality Room (PNR) committee evaluated the three concepts to select the proposed design for the Philippine Nationality Room.  Keeping in mind the principles set forth by the University for the creation of the Nationality Rooms, the committee developed a rigid set of criteria, including uniqueness (distinctly Filipino), timelessness, ability to promote the country, and finally, its ability to tell the story and the soul of the Filipino. Using these criteria, the PNR committee unanimously chose the Bahay na Bato concept as the proposed design for the Philippine Nationality Room.  

The winning Bahay na Bato concept was unveiled to the FAAP membership at its 50^th Anniversary Ball on 28 October 2006.  Enthusiastic support was evident from the beginning financial contributions generated that evening.  

Consul General Rebong said that the FAAP calls on Filipinos for assistance in raising US$250,000, the projected cost of building a world-class classroom and cultural cornerstone. Their goal is to raise 80% of that amount so they can start building soon.  For more information on the Philippine Nationality Room, interested ind ividuals may visit their website at http://www.thefaap.org/pnr.  Virtual tours of the existing nationality rooms at the University of P i t t s b u r g h may be accessed at http://www.pitt.edu/~natrooms.  END 

/jay

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