28 November 2016 —Consul Ambrosio Brian F. Enciso III and Cultural Officer Wilma G. Bautista of the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles joined City Officials, Key Stakeholders, Community and Civic Leaders in the groundbreaking cerermony to commemorate the start of the construction of nine new international cottages, including the new House of the Philippines in Balboa Park, San Diego California on November 19.

The new cottages will house members of the House of Pacific Relations (HPR).  HPR is a nonprofit organization based in Balboa Park that promotes multicultural goodwill and understanding through educational and cultural programs. Among member countries that will be occupying these new cottages are Korea, India, Mexico, Palestine, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Lebanon or Chamorro and Turkey.

Each cottage is designed to be a museum for each country.  These new cottages will join existing ones that offer visitors a glimpse of the culture, history and traditions of each member. 

In 1961, the House of the Philippines became a member of the HPR.  Currently, the Philippines shares its space with the House of France.  With this new standalone cottage, the Philippines will have a better venue where it can showcase Filipino culture to the visitors from all over the world. 

The House of the Philippines is a non-profit 401(c) organization led by its current President, Mr. Romulo Sarno, Jr. and Vice President, Mr. Rommel Alberto, members of the Fil-Am community in San Diego.

The House of the Philippines is still campaigning for dontations for the construction of this new standalone cottage.  The goal is to raise $350,000 for construction, new displays, audio/visual equipment and an endowment for operations.  The Filipino-American community in San Diego showed its strong support for the House of the Philippines as it continues to work on reaching the goal.

Information about House of the Philippines is available at www.houseofthephilippines.org.  END