Embassy Puts The Spotlight on Local Filipino-American Theater Makers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Embassy of the Philippines, in partnership with Ms. Regina Aquino, organized a panel discussion entitled Filipino American Theater Makers: A Panel Discussion with Filipinos Who are Moving Theater Forward. It was held in celebration of the Filipino National Arts Month.

The panel discussion, moderated by Ms. Aquino, featured local Filipino-Americans in the DC theater scene and arts namely Justine Moral, Justin Huertas, Raymond Caldwell, Joseph Pinzon, and Sally Imbriano, who discussed their challenges, experiences, and insights on Filipino representation in theater while also sharing how their Filipino heritage influenced their craft.

In his opening remarks, Consul General Iric Cruz Arribas said the Embassy fully supports the promotion of Filipino talent in theater, and that the appreciation of the American society of the talent of the Filipino is a shared task. “It is not only for the Filipino artists themselves to do alone, nor by the Philippine government through our embassy and consulates throughout the US alone but by the whole FIlipino- American community… The success of a Filipino American is a source of pride and inspiration for all Filipinos to embrace.” he said.

The community can support the arts and Filipino culture by watching Filipino-American artists at the Kennedy Center Family Theater as they join the cast, production, and creative team for “The Mortification of Fovea Munson” from March 4 to 19,2023. It is a musical play with music written by a FIlipino American, performed by Filipino Americans, with references to Filipino cultural practices. Further details may be found at https://www. kennedy-center.org/…/mortification- of…/.

The discussion is available on demand on Ms. Aquino’s youtube page here: https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=vwD03gO2SQY.###

Consul General Iric Cruz Arribas (center) presents certificates of appreciation to the panel speakers and moderator. The theater makers from right to left are Ms. Regina Aquino (moderator), Mr. Joseph Pinzon, Mr. Justin Huertas (kneeling), Ms. Sally Imbriano, Mr. Raymond Caldwell, and Ms. Justine “Icy” Moral.