Philippine Consulate in New York Welcomes Establishment of Hiraya Foundation

Consul General Elmer G. Cato (3rd from left) flanked from left to right by Mr. Jovito Rabelas, Ms. Nora Galleros-Tinio, Dr. Romulo Aromin, Jr., Dr. Dely Go, and Atty. Lawrence Ira Safran recently sworn in as members of the Board of Directors of the newly-established Hiraya Foundation (Photo by Marianne Olfindo)

New York – The Philippine Consulate General in New York has welcomed the establishment of the Hiraya Foundation for Filipino-American Heritage Preservation, a non-profit organization that aims to promote and preserve Filipino heritage in the United States and in the Philippines. 

“We are truly heartened see kababayan mobilizing themselves in support of our call for more efforts to preserve our identity and culture in the United States,” Consul General Elmer G. Cato said after inducting the five pioneering board members of the Hiraya Foundation at the Philippine Center on Monday. 

“We look forward to working with the Hiraya Foundation in promoting and preserving our heritage through the establishment of the first Filipino cultural center in our part of the United States,” Consul General Cato said. 

Inducted were Dr. Romulo Alcalde Aromin, Jr., Chairman of the Board and President; Dr. Dely Po Go, President-Elect; Atty. Lawrence Ira Safran, Secretary; Leonora Galleros-Tinio, Treasurer; and Jovito De Luna Rabelas: Public Relations Officer. 

Consul General Elmer G. Cato (far left) swears in the Hiraya Foundation’s Board of Directors (L-R) Dr. Romulo Aromin, Jr., Dr. Dely Go, Atty. Lawrence Ira Safran, Ms. Nora Galleros, and Mr. Jovito Rabelas. (Photo by Marianne Olfindo)

A duly registered non-for-profit organization, the Hiraya Foundation aims to complement and support the heritage conservation efforts of the Philippine Consulate General and the Filipino Community by providing resources, sharing networks, and conducting cultural events and projects. 

The long-term legacy project of the Hiraya Foundation is the establishment of a heritage center in the East Coast where members of the Filipino Community could congregate and celebrate their Filipino pride.

The Hiraya Foundation is also the partner of the Philippine Consulate General in the “Gawad Alab ng Lahi” (Flame of Race) awards program that will recognize the outstanding contributions of individuals, businesses and organizations in the second quarter of the year and in the “Sininglahi” Filipino-American Heritage Gala to be held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the last quarter. 

The Hiraya Foundation also seeks to promote and preserve the traditions, skills, and crafts of Filipino cultural communities in the Philippines.

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