Join Us!
September to December 2025
Art & Culture Exhibit: Kulturang Makulay “Colorful Culture”
Kick off the 50th Anniversary of the Center for Philippine Studies with Kulturang Makulay: “Colorful Culture”— Filipino Arts and Culture Exhibit at the East-West Center.
Curated by renowned artist and fashion designer Iris Gil Viacrusis, this exhibit will showcase the rich diversity of Filipino culture, featuring an extraordinary collection of fashion, art, music, and artifacts. Visitors will experience the vibrant tapestry of the Philippines’ many traditions and influences.
Acclaimed for creating replicas of royal attire displayed at Iolani Palace, Iris Gil Viacrusis will also serve as the costume designer for the Filipino Cultural Production at the Kennedy Theatre, bringing the beauty of Filipino heritage to life.
Exhibit Dates: September 28, 2025 – January 16, 2026
Location:
East-West Center Gallery
1601 East-West Road
Honolulu, HI 96848
iJeepney Launch: Empowering the Next Generation
In 2006, the Smithsonian commemorated the 100th anniversary of Filipino immigration to the United States by sponsoring the development of a Filipino American online curriculum, nicknamed “iJeepney.” Now, twenty years later, we are proud to introduce iJeepney 2.0 An Interactive Community for Filipino History and Culture – Empowering the Next Generation. This updated version is more than just a revamp—it’s a dynamic, user-friendly platform designed to reflect the latest in technology, offering interactive lessons, engaging formats, and increased accessibility.
In this exciting new chapter, we are collaborating with youth to harness the power of social media tools for content creation and community building, ensuring the curriculum is informative, vibrant, and forward-thinking. By tapping into youth culture and promoting collective storytelling, this curriculum transforms history into an interactive and empowering experience.
A comprehensive professional development program will also be rolled out, equipping educators with the skills they need to effectively integrate technology and the updated curriculum into their classrooms.
Launch Date: October 4, 2025
Location: Filipino Cultural Summit
Philippine Rare Collection: A Behind-the-Scenes Tour
The University of Hawai’i proudly houses one of the most extensive Philippine collections outside the Philippines, focusing on the Philippines and Filipinos in the Social Sciences and Humanities. This invaluable resource serves not only the research needs of UHM students, faculty, and staff but also attracts scholars and community patrons from across the globe who are studying the history, culture, and society of the Philippines.
Join a guided tour with the Philippine librarian, Elena Clariza, and get an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the rare and unique materials in the collection, including Philippine revolutionary papers 1898-1900 and Philippine Underground Papers During the Ferdinand Marcos Regime 1965-1986. If we’re lucky, we might even have the rare opportunity to view a book from the library vault.
The Philippine Studies Collection continues to grow, with thousands of new materials—including open-access digital resources—added annually. To access the collection, visit the Philippines – Research Guides at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa.
Tour Dates: October 15 & October 23, 2025
Location:
Hamilton Library Room 306
2550 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822
Center for Philippine Studies Anthology
The Center for Philippine Studies (CPS) at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa stands as one of the most developed center of its kind in North America, with the largest concentration of Philippine academic specialists in the U.S. Despite the growth of Philippine Studies globally, there remains a gap in understanding the role of centers like CPS and how other Philippine Studies programs, both in the Philippines and in Filipino diasporas, might learn from its history.
Continuing the longstanding tradition of scholarly work produced by CPS faculty and affiliated scholars, the CPS Anthology will be the first collection published by the Center to document and critically reflect on its 50-year history. The anthology consists of the history of Philippine Studies, writings from former CPS directors, faculty, and community partners, and envisioning the future. We hope the CPS Anthology will be a valuable resource for current and future Philippine Studies programs in Hawai‘i, the Philippines, and worldwide.
Book Launch: November 2025
Filipino Cultural Production: Dancing in the Diaspora
In 1975, an Act of the Hawaiʻi State Legislature established CPS to recognize the contributions of Filipinos to the history of Hawai’i and to highlight the academic expertise on the Philippines at the University of Hawai’i. Dancing in the Diaspora: Celebrating 50 Years of CPS on the Move draws from this history, mission, and vision to recognize how CPS has grown to be an invaluable source of scholarly research, educational activism, and community outreach.
A group of international and local choreographers from the Philippines, Hawai’i, and beyond will host community workshops and collaborate with UHM students, faculty, and staff to co-create a transformative, multidisciplinary cultural production.
Join us as we address topics ranging from preservation, healing, migrant labor, and identity formation through the production, which aligns with state curriculum standards, features a ground-breaking curriculum, and panel discussion to build and strengthen cultural connections.
Dates: November 14, 15, 21, 22,23, 7:00 pm
Nov 21, 10:00 am (High School Show)
Location:
John F. Kennedy Theatre
1770 East-West Rd, Honolulu, HI 96822