$250-K Philippine Room at Pittsburgh Univ unveiled

PITTSBURGH — A Philippine cultural and historical cornerstone is being built at the University of Pittsburgh’s historic Cathedral of Learning, reported Consul General in New York Cecilia Rebong, who attended the open house where the building plan was unveiled. The Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh (FAAP), headed by its 2007 president Tina Purpura and Architect Warren Bulseco, is spearheading this “important project" to ensure that the classroom commemorates the history and culture of Filipinos, she said. “They have finished the design process and are now raising funds to begin building the room," said Rebong in a statement. The Philippine Nationality Classroom will be designed by noted Filipino architects. Cristina Turalba and Eliseo Art Silva using the Bahay na Bato concept. Bahay-na-Bato (or Stone Ancestral House) is a Spanish-influenced stately house with stone lower walls and a wooden upper story with high ceilings, sliding capiz shell windows, balustrades, and wood floors and walls. With materials, furniture and art pieces created by artisans and craftsman from the Philippines, the design will have museum quality standards, and will comply with the Nationality Rooms’ design guidelines and the University of Pittsburgh’s construction guidelines. The historic period to be depicted should predate 1787, the date of the U.S. Constitution and the founding of the University of Pittsburgh, as required by the University. The Philippine Nationality Room joins 26 other classrooms exceptionally built by other European, Asian and American countries. This unique assembly of rooms is said to attract 40,000 visitors annually and provide spaces for classes, meetings, and cultural activities. 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," said Rebong. Over five years of research and consultation with experts and artists to decide on this most important element of the project resulted in three concepts for consideration: Bahay Kubo, Da-Pay, and Bahay na Bato. Bahay Kubo (Nipa Hut) is a rural dwelling on stilts with thatch roofs, and walls made of bamboo, grass, leaves, and reeds. The proposal came from the student laboratory of Heritage and Conservation Architect Rene Mata of the University of the Philippines’ College of Architecture. Dap-ay is a circular stone-paved court structure which served as a community space for villagers in pre-colonial days. The proposal was made by artist Eliseo Art Silva of Philadelphia. At a meeting on September 13, 2006, the FAAP PNR committee evaluated the three concepts and unanimously voted the Bahay-na-Bato as the proposed design for the Philippine Nationality Room. The winning Bahay-na-Bato concept was unveiled to the FAAP membership at its 50th Anniversary Ball on October 28, 2006. Enthusiastic support was evident from the financial contributions generated that evening. FAAP still needs help in raising $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. How to help: 1. Make a tax-deductible monetary contribution. Your monetary donations can be made directly to the University of Pittsburgh. Please make your personal check or money order payable to: The Treasurer - Philippine Nationality Room , University of Pittsburgh Nationality Rooms and Cultural Exchange Programs, 1209 Cathedral of Learning , Pittsburgh, PA 15260 The Philippine Nationality Room committee is under the Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh (FAAP). It is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization which promotes culture, education, and charity while preserving, sharing, and enhancing the Philippine culture in the Pittsburgh community. 2. Develop a network of supporters by providing contact information of potential donors, or by hosting gatherings of Filipino American communities for raising awareness of the PNR. Viewing by tour and by websites: Since 1944, members of Quo Vadis, a student organization conduct guided tours for nearly 30,000 visitors each year. For official tours, call phone/tours 412-624-6000 or email natrooms@pitt.edu. Hours Mon. - Fri.: 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Fees: Adults $3, Youths ages 8-18 $1 For a FAAP-guided tour of the Cathedral of Learning, and the Nationality Rooms in July and December 2007, please contact Tina Purpura and Melody Mendoza at 412-344-6041 or email FAAPday@thefaap.org. To view the plan for the Philippine nationality rooms and for further information, please visit www.thefaap.org/pnr For a virtual tour of the existing Nationality Rooms http://www.pitt.edu/~natrooms - Philippine News