27 February 2017, New York – The Children’s Museum of the Arts (CMA) in New York City celebrated Philippine Day on 19 February 2017 with a day-long program featuring workshops celebrating various aspects of Philippine life, geography, arts, and culture.

The program likewise included a special performance workshop by Sinding Kindaw Melayu Heritage Center and its founder, Tradition Bearer, and Artistic Director Ms. Potri Ranka Manis.

Consul General Theresa Dizon-De Vega opened the Philippine Day with a brief show and tell for the audience on the Philippines.  She told the audience, composed mainly of young children and their parents, that the Philippines is one of the most diverse countries in the world, a place where East and West meet and where various cultures are welcomed and celebrated.

CMA Director for Community Programs Michelle Lopez thanked all the guests and participants for spending the day at the museum and taking an active part in the various activities featuring the Philippines.

Among the art workshops offered were a clay-making workshop with the geography of the Philippines serving as inspiration; stop-animation lab featuring the Sulu Sea as backdrop, Soundscapes of the Luzon rainforest in the Sound Lab, Kut-Kut inspired prints, and the creation of Shadow Action Figures modelled after the work of contemporary Filipino artist Ronald Ventura.

Consul General Dizon-De Vega turned over a Philippine doll handcrafted by Anthill Fabric Gallery of Cebu and a book for children on Philippine architecture as donations to the CMA collection.

The CMA event provided an important opportunity for Philippine culture and arts to be introduced to young Filipino-Americans and mainstream audiences. END