Photos: Glitz, Glamour and 'Gold' at Asia Society Museum Opening Gala
More than 200 distinguished guests visited Asia Society New York on Thursday, September 10, to celebrate the opening of Asia Society Museum’s new exhibition, Philippine Gold: Treasures of Forgotten Kingdoms. The glamorous gala event — which featured a ceremonial ribbon cutting, speeches from dignitaries, musical performances, a live auction, and a gourmet Filipino dinner — kicked off a season of programming at Asia Society that will highlight the richness and diversity of Philippine culture and current affairs, and explore its cuisine, performing arts, film, design, literature, and more.
Gala Benefit Committee Co-Chair Doris Magsaysay Ho thanked her Co-Chairs Loida Nicolas Lewis and Fernando Zobel de Ayala. “We thought how wonderful it would be to bring a spotlight on the Philippines as the [country] hosts APEC [in November]. And we thought, why not also highlight our heritage, and our arts and culture?"
Philippines Ambasaddor to the United States Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. noted the exhibition is a “great reason to be proud of our ancestors and our heritage ... Taking a look around and marveling at the artifacts on display this evening will make one realize what commonalities our Filipino ancestors shared with our other Indonesian, Indian, Chinese and other Southeast Asian brethren."
The evening also marked the opening of Video Spotlight: Philippines, an exhibition of contemporary Filipino video art, and Filipino Design Now, an installation celebrating the artistic visions of renowned and emerging Filipino designers. Philippine Gold: Treasures of Forgotten Kingdoms will be on display through January 3, 2016.
"Tonight, we are celebrating a new era, a new beginning for the Philippines, presented through its golden past,” said Asia Society President Josette Sheeran. “This is truly a great day for the Philippines, for the Unites States, and for all who care about our shared histories."