Exhibit on Filipino Culture to Open

Toured by the Demonstration Project for Asian Americans and Northwest Folklife, the “Mabuhay” exhibit traces Filipino-American history with photographs, artifacts and text. Featured items include weaving, carving and metalwork.

The Filipino word “mabuhay” (ma-boo-hay) means “live!” and is a wish for a long and fulfilling life. The word is also used as an expression of good will meaning “thanks,” “congratulations,” “welcome” or “good luck.”

In 1763, Filipinos began arriving in North America. Today they are the country’s largest group of Asian-Americans. “The Filipino concept of ‘mabuhay’ has helped to carry them through difficult times,” says museum director Mary Jane Berman.

In conjunction with the touring exhibit, the Museum of Anthropology will exhibit Phillippine objects from its own collections. Museum staff members researched their significance by consulting curators in the Philippines and scholars at several U.S. universities. A reception celebrating the exhibit’s opening will be held on April 9 at 7 p.m. in the museum. A video, “Filipino-Americans: Discovering Their Past for the “Future,” will be shown on April 14 at 12:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. and again on April 24 at 2 p.m. in the museum classroom. The 54-minute presentation examines Filipino contributions to the American way of life. Using photographs, personal histories and commentary by Filipino-American historians, it documents Filipino history in this country, including their first settlements in Louisiana, their work on Hawaiian sugar-cane plantations and at Alaskan canneries.

“Mabuhay, Pilipinas: An Exhibit of Filipino and Filipino-American Culture” runs through May 18. Admission is free to the exhibit and related events. The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For information, call the museum at 758-5282.walker