San Francisco’s PH Folklife Museum launches website

From left: Dan de la Cruz, Fely Santiago, Philippine Folklife Museum President Lydia de la Cruz, Elsie McAteer and Mila Llorente at the museum website’s launching. PHOTOS BY RAFAEL CONSING LUMANLANG

SAN FRANCISCO — The non-profit Philippine Folklife Museum Foundation, which single-handedly assembled the 9-year-old and only permanent museum of Philippine history in this city, launched its virtual version of the museum on June 24.

Deputy Consul General Jaime Ramon T. Ascalon, in his welcome during the launch at the Philippine Center, noted the significance of having material representations of great moments of Philippine history for Filipinos to see and touch, or hear.

Visitors to the Museum in the Social Hall, 5^th Floor of the Philippine Center Building at 447 Sutter Street see depictions of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal’s lineage, Andres Bonifacio’s Katipunan and carved wooden panels depicting historical events.

Other artifacts, like the finely embroidered dress made of delicate piña fabric circa-1936, gifts from Mrs. Aurora Quezon, wife of the Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon to her friend Mrs. Ann Schinazi, provide evidence of quality Filipino craftwork.

Schools nearby have discovered these treasures, but the museum’s uncommon location limits its popularity. Website tries to overcome this challenge with its interactivity, searchable content and visually appealing layout.

Guest Guitarist, Dr. Michael Gonzalez, professor of Philippine Studies, City College of San Francisco performed kundiman melodies.

Lydia de la Cruz, the director of Museum Operations and Development hoped for as she guided the audience on a tour of the website.

De la Cruz highlighted the five key features of the website: “1) Clarity — with high resolution images. 2) Functionality — content is dynamically driven for search engine placement. 3) Informative — website’s educational highlights are a series of digital tours for those who cannot visit. 4) Interactive — site’s dynamic features compliment the cutting-edge curatorial and research work undertaken at the Philippine Folklife Museum while also encouraging more prolonged engagement from visitors both near and far, share this story on Facebook, Twitter, etc. 5) Responsive — suitable for various screen dimensions from PC to laptop, from tablet to smartphone.”

Ascalon explained that the consulate’s partnership with the Philippine Folklife Museum is in keeping with its mission to “succeeding generations of Filipino-Americans to their heritage.”

As is customary with events in the Museum, kundiman guitar music was provided by Dr. Michael Gonzalez, professor of Philippine Studies, City College of San Francisco. Tastefully prepared Filipino delicacies by chef Lydia de la Cruz were served.

View the website at www.philippinefolklifemuseum.org

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