Fil-Am History Month Kicks Off in SF with Hinabi Project

National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Dayaw International Dancers (San Francisco PCG photo)

SAN FRANCISCO 09 October 2018 — The Filipino-American History Month kicked off in San Francisco with an exhibit featuring textiles and folk arts of Cordilleras and Ilokos at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco on 27 September 2018.

Consul General Henry S. Bensurto Jr. led the Filipino-American community in San Francisco in opening the celebration of the annual Filipino-American History Month every October, which featured the 2018 iteration of The Hinabi Project (THP),

This year’s The Hinabi Project, dubbed “Mountain Spirits: Textiles and Folk Arts of Cordilleras and Ilokos,” features textiles and folk arts of said regions. The Mills Building on Montgomery Street in San Francisco is running an exhibit of textiles from the regions until 07 December 2018.

In his remarks, Consul General Bensurto emphasized the importance of nurturing the Filipino culture, especially among the young generation. He underscored that the Consulate has started a movement two years ago called, “Spark, Connect, Empower,” to rekindle love of country and enable the Filipino diaspora to link up and contribute to nation-building.

He underlined his appreciation for The Hinabi Project’s contribution to fostering the love of culture among Filipino-Americans by bringing to San Francisco colorful textiles made by indigenous people who weave and hand sew indigenous materials using indigenous techniques. The Consul General emphasized the need to sustain the livelihood of indigenous people, which would in turn, make our traditions and culture flourish.

“May the tradition of weaving indigenous textiles spark in us true love for our country and everything that is Filipino, connect us to our people’s history, heritage and culture, and empower us as a people -- united in one woven tradition of greatness and compassion for our people and our nation,” said Consul General Bensurto.

The event featured the live singing and dancing by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Dayaw International Performers who came all the way from the indigenous communities of the Cordillera and Mindanao.

President of the Manila-San Francisco Sister City Committee, and Commissioner at the Asian Art Museum Commission and Foundation Carmen Colet handed over a check for the Filipino Fund for Acquisitions to Director of Education and Interpretation of the Asian Art Museum Deborah Clearwaters. The fund will be used to purchase Filipino art pieces for the Filipino art collection at the Museum.

Audience were also treated to the premiere screening of Living Asia’s documentary on The Hinabi Project Weavers, entitled, “Mountain Spirits: Textiles and Folk Arts of Cordillera and Ilokos,” and had the opportunity to participate with the performers in community dancing.

The Hinabi Project is an initiative of the Philippine American Writers and Artists Inc. (PAWA Inc.) in San Francisco in partnership with the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, the NCCA, the Philippine Department of Tourism, the Non-Timber Forest Products Exchange Programme, and the Ateneo Office of Social Development. END

For more information, visit www.sanfranciscopcg.dfa.gov.ph/ www.philippinessanfrancisco.org or https://www.facebook.com/PHinSF/

Consul General Henry S. Bensurto, Jr.  dancing with the NCCA Dayaw International Performers and the Community. (San Francisco PCG photo)