Filipino American History Month - Gathering at Governors Island

• Open to the public, free of charge
• Ferries run between 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Project Overview

In celebration of Filipino American History Month, Kinding Sindaw brings the legendary Rinayung, the magical boat of Bantogen from the epic Darangen, to symbolically sail the Hudson River and dock at Governors Island. The daylong event highlights living traditions of the Philippines through performance, craft, ritual, and storytelling, featuring master artists, tradition-bearers, and diaspora voices, grounding ourselves in the tradition of Filipino strength and heritage.

A panel and workshop featuring Filipino American historians, organizers and community workers will discuss and reflect on our history of resilience, coalition-building and organizing, and what we face as a community looking to the future.

This immersive gathering weaves indigenous knowledge, artistic practices, and community dialogue — making visible the cultural resilience that has withstood displacement and colonization, as inspiration moving forward as a community.

Program Components (11 AM – 5 PM)

Ritual:
● Opening Ritual & Invocation (11:00 AM)
● Kulintang & Ritual Dances (11:30 AM) – Kinding Sindaw ensemble

Talk Backs, Workshops and Panel:
● Talk-Back Session: Indigenous Voices in Diaspora (12:30 PM)
● Panel: Lakas na Loob - A History of FilAm Organizing and Community Reflection (12:30)
● Herbal Knowledge & Healing Practices (1:00 PM)
● Edible Kitchen Stories (Tasting & Narratives) (2:00 PM)

Performances:
● Gangsa of the Cordillera & Dance (2:30 PM)
● Dance Storytelling: The Darangen & Bantogen (3:00 PM)
● Poetry Reading & Filipino Language Overview (3:30 PM)
● Community Healing & Reflection Circle (4:00 PM)
● Kulintang Closing Ensemble (4:30 PM)

All Day:
● Bead-Making Workshop (Mangyan Tradition) (All Day)
● Visual Arts & Baybayin Exhibit (All Day)