The Filipino Heritage Festival, Inc. partners with ArteFino for a stunning fundraising fashion and cultural show that pays tribute to the country’s traditional arts.
During the month of May, the Philippines celebrates the unique cultural treasures and legacies by Proclamation No. 439. In line with this, the Filipino Heritage Festival, Inc. (FHFI), a non-profit organization, spearheads month-long celebrations every May. The initiative includes performance and visual arts exhibitions, culinary feasts, and other cultural activities designed to spread awareness and reach a wide audience. To mark 20 years, FHFI will partner with ArteFino on May 29 for a fundraiser fashion and cultural show entitled, PAMANA: Woven Legacies in Fashion & Dance.
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Where Art and Heart Meet
“The mandate of FHFI intersects with ArteFino this year in that we are working together to meet two objectives. First, we are raising awareness and appreciation for Filipino heritage, which is the key mandate of the FHFI,” explain Cedie Lopez-Vargas, Marimel Francisco, Maritess Pineda, Mita Rufino, and Susie Quiros, the founders behind ArteFino. “The very same objective is shared by ArteFino as we continue to promote Filipino artisan crafts. Proceeds from PAMANA will be dedicated to the developmental programs of HeArteFino.”
HeArteFino’s programs support, nurture, and foster artist-entrepreneurs and partner artisan communities, and are the beating heart of the movement. It is an initiative that creates ripples in the preservation and upskilling of heritage crafts. The founders also revealed that they will be announcing a new grantee this year.
Tracing an Archipelago’s Garments
PAMANA: Woven Legacies in Fashion & Dance will take place in the Manila Polo Club, and aims to heighten cultural awareness through a captivating performance that marries elements of dance, music, style, design, and craft. The late Palanca award-winner, acclaimed playwright, and stage director Floy Quintos, penned its concept script, making the event particularly special. Since 2002, Floy has been preserving, collecting, and documenting important Filipino garments and fabrics from all corners of the archipelago. CCP Para sa Sinig Awardee for Dance Gener Caringal will lend his talents to bring Floy’s concept to life through choreography and creative direction.
Showcasing Local Craftsmanship
PAMANA will feature 16 designers from ArteFino’s roster of names and local brands to represent the woven legacies of every region, including Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and NCR.
Distinctly Filipino designs by Bayo Atelier, Camille Villanueva, Ditta Sandico, Edited Limited x Adante, Jo Ann Bitagcol, Jor-el Espina, Lulu Tan Gan, Maison Métisse, NIñofranco, Patis Pamintuan Tesoro, Patty Eustaquio X Bayo Atelier for HeArteFino, Rhett Eala, Steph Verano, Tagpi, Trude Lizares, and WYC (Wear Your Culture) will take center stage on May 29. The show will also highlight accessories by Aishe, Arnel Papa, Earl Gariando, Kathy & Kathy Bespoke, as well as Lakat.
Dance performances by University of the East Silanganan Dance Troupe and The Danspace Ballet School will usher in key fashion categories that define Filipino style. These include: Pahingahan (tropical loungewear), Kaswal and Kasuotan (casuals with Filipino flair), and postura (cocktails and semi formal).
“Apart from this being a fundraising effort in support of HeArteFino, PAMANA will also be a prelude for what’s to come in August when we unveil our yearly festival,” conclude ArteFino’s founders.
For more information about PAMANA: Woven Legacies, visit https://artefinoph.com/ and follow its official IG page @artefinoph.
Photos courtesy of ArteFino.
