Kultura Pilipinas, one of many student groups at the University, is hosting a dinner reception and book promotion today for Anna Dominique Coseteng, a former Philippine congresswoman and two-term senator.
Coseteng has been on tour since August 2001 promoting the publication of “Sinaunang Habi,” a more than 300-page full-color book that explores the weaving tradition of indigenous women in the Philippines. The book, written by Marian Pastor-Roces, is based on 15 years of research.
“I thought I owed it to the Philippine people to publish (the book) and bring it to the attention of the world,” Coseteng said.
KP Co-Director Arlene Juan said the organization decided to host a dinner reception and book promotion to help fulfill KP’s mission of increasing awareness of Philippine culture at the University. She added that the event is especially important because students do not often get the opportunity to meet public officials from different nations.
Juan said KP encountered problems in coordinating the dinner reception and book promotion. After experiencing financial difficulties, the group and had to fund-raise, but had trouble convincing others to support their efforts. Juan added that this was a major obstacle for the organization, as KP would not have been able to host the event without support.
“It took a lot of pushing to make (people) believe this was a noteworthy event,” Juan said.
Planning for the event began in August with the help of an off-campus group, the Eugene-Springfield Philippine American Association Inc.
Melissa Christoffels, the new chairwoman for PAA, said their partnership in coordinating this event has been very successful.
“They’re all very good, smart kids, and I admire them for wanting to learn more about Philippine culture,” Christoffels said. “Hopefully, this event will strengthen our working relationship since we do have pretty much the same goal, which is to promote cultural understanding.”
Juan said KP and PAA have tried to promote this event statewide and expect several Oregon public officials to be in attendance tonight, including state Sen. Tony Corcoran, D-Cottage Grove, Springfield Mayor Sid Leken, Lane County Commissioner Peter Sorenson and several city councilors from Eugene and Springfield.
KP predicts the event will attract a crowd of about 300 people. The event begins today in the EMU Ballroom at 5:30 p.m., with dinner at 6 p.m. Student tickets can be purchased for $6 and community tickets for $9 at the EMU Ticket Office.
At the reception, Coseteng will discuss the cultural significance of the book and address political, social and economic issues that affect people of the Philippines. There will also be a performance by Ifugao Dance Troupe, a raffle drawing, a book signing and a question-and-answer session with Coseteng.
Juan encouraged Filipino Americans and others to attend.
“It’s an eye-opener to what I have lost as a Filipino American and to what I should know as a Filipino,” Juan said.
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