PNR: Philippine Nationality Room

PNR Frequently Asked Questions 09.03.2007

Why have a Philippine Nationality Room?

There are now more than 3 million Filipino Americans in the United States. Filipinos can proudly trace their roots in the USA back to 1587 and a first permanent settlement in North America in 1763. The time has come to establish a permanent legacy of this history and culture in America; thus, the Philippine Nationality Room (PNR).

The PNR will showcase Filipino art and culture and will be an enduring gift to the University and community at large. The room will provide a place where people can connect our histories among different countries and present to the world the richness, beauty and strength of our multicultural identity as Filipino Americans.

How did this idea originate?

The idea of a PNR first came about in the mid-eighties under our legacy organization called the Samahang Pilipino ng Pittsburgh which dates to 1957. The PNR was proposed as an alternative during the dissolution of a prior Philippine building fund. The idea was revived in 1997 leading to the first fund raising concert in October of 1998.

Then, in 2000 the Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh was incorporated as a non-profit and the necessary 501(c)(s) status was obtained. A proposal was then submitted to the Chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh along with a deed gift of US$5,000. Approval of the project and assignment of Room 313 for the Philippine classroom was secured.

Where will the room be constructed?

The room will be at the University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning (Room 313). The FAAP, with the support of other Filipino regional leaders and organizations, will build a classroom that will commemorate the history, culture, and people of the Philippines. This will be a great addition to the already built 26 Nationality Rooms at the Cathedral. This unique assembly of rooms attracts 40,000 visitors annually and provides spaces for classes, meetings, and cultural activities.

How unique is this project?

There may well no other type of commemorative and historical display in the world like the PNR. The PNR will join 26 rooms built since 1938 and 7 under development that commemorate the broad range of nationalities from across the globe that have immigrated to America since the first Viking settlements more than 1,000 years prior.

What will it look like?

The PNR and all rooms at the University of Pittsburgh Nationality Rooms are a response to an invitation from the former University Chancellor Bowman in 1938 to create classrooms that would represent highly creative periods or aspects of immigrant heritage. In line with this charge and vision, the PNR will be designed by a noted Philippine architect and local design consultants. The design will have museum-quality standards, with artisans and craftsmen from the Philippines creating many of the pieces of art and furniture to be displayed in the room. The historical period depicted must predate 1787, the date of the U.S. Constitution and the founding of the University of Pittsburgh.

the concept called Bahay na Bato (Stone Ancestral House) has been accepted by the FAAP. This is best described as 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. This was the proposal of the Heritage and Conservation Architect and author Cristina V. Turalba of the University of the Philippines, College of Architecture. Pennsylvania Registered Architect, Warren Bulseco has been appointed as the PNR U.S. architect of record at the University of Pittsburgh.

What is the projected cost?

The FAAP has established a goal of between $250, 000 and $275,000, based upon the costs attributed to other Nationality Rooms in recent years. As of April 2007, the FAAP has raised $170,000. Until a final design is created, we can not yet have a breakdown of the exact costs involved.

How are we raising the money?

The strategy is to raise money through grants, corporate sponsorships, private donations, and fund raising events. Major fund raising events in the past have included benefit concerts, golf outings, volleyball tournaments, film festivals, raffles, and sales of cookbooks, entertainment books, and Philippine greeting cards. The FAAP has also teamed up with other associations and Filipino American communities across the USA for support.

How do I contribute?

We encourage you to join us in completing the construction of a Philippine Nationality Room. You may show your support in several ways:

• Make a tax-deductible monetary contribution.
• Help us 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.

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

Mail the check/money order to:

University of Pittsburgh
Nationality Rooms and Cultural Exchange Programs
1209 Cathedral of Learning
Pittsburgh, PA 15260

For more information, please send your email to: treasurer@theFAAP.org.

By Mark and Irna Knapp 04.30.2007