Kris invites Filams to preview Center

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY – Maryland Delegate Kris Valderrama and PG County Executive Jack Johnson are inviting the Filipino American community to join in the American Independence Day reception and preview of the first phase of the National Philippine Multicultural Center in Oxon Hill, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on July 4, 2009.

Kris urged the community to see “a former police precinct evolve into a cultural crescent as we observe a joint U.S.- Philippine July 4th celebration.”

Kris, currently vice-chair of the Law Enforcement Committee of the Prince George’s House delegation to the Maryland General Assembly, was chief House sponsor in 2007 of a bond bill to help finance the center.
Top officials of Maryland, beginning with Governor Martin O’malley and PG County Executive are expected to attend the first phase preview and reception.

The Center, located at 7500 Livingston Road in Oxon Hill, Maryland.,is a project of the National Philippine Cultural Foundation, Inc. to enhance the economic, social and cultural life and to foster closer relationships with other ethnic groups.

Imelda C. Abella, formerly Foundation executive director and currently multicultural affairs liaison of Prince George’s County sees the Center as the story of the “blending of cultures between the East and the West.”
Every year, Philippine independence is celebrated on June 12, the date 111 years ago when General Emilio Aguinaldo, the celebrated Filipino revolutionary leader declared Philippine independence from Spain.

Virtually forgotten is July 4, 1946, the actual date when the Philippines, up until then a U.S. commonwealth, much like Puerto Rico today, was granted its independence by U.S. President Harry S. Truman.
Kris has reiterated her plan to make the Center the principal venue for both the June 12th and July 4th festivities as well as the independence day celebrations of other multicultural communities in metropolitan Washington.

To be previewed is the first phase of the project consisting of 10,000 square feet that will be used as offices. Phase two will consist of the addition of 5,000 to 10,000 square feet of space to accommodate an anticipated increase in other cultural activities and Phase 3 will be a one-stop shopping mini-mall for the multicultural communities of the county and the Washington Region.

During the groundbreaking ceremonies in February last year, Philippine Ambassador Willy C. Gaa joined Jack Johnson, Kris Valderrama, and other officials. Gaa said the “Philippine cultural center is a mirror of my vision on inclusion, economic development and multiculturalism,” Johnson said. “While this project may seem like a small part of the revitalization going on in the Oxon Hill area, I assure you that it plays a very significant role for this community and the people of Prince George’s County.”

Delegate Valderrama has reiterated her plan to make the center as the principal venue of the annual celebration of independence. Once completed, the building can seat 1,500 people. The top of the building will have a skylight designed in the form of a “salakot,” a native Filipino wide-brimmed hat.

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