Inside NYC’s Latest Exhibit Celebrating Filipino Art, Culture, and Everything “In Bituin”
This past Sunday, hundreds gathered at Honey’s for In Bituin: Constellations of Filipino Creativity, a multidisciplinary art exhibition by and for Filipinos in the New York metropolitan area. Put simply, it was everything it promised and more.
The event featured three floors of art in abundance — including independent Filipino filmmakers, illustrators, musicians, DJs, and more. On the ground floor, guests had the opportunity to have tooth gems installed by blingipin or a flash tattoo done by Christianne Padilla of Switch & Snake. Up a short staircase near the bar, PHLX.WAV and DJ Monty spun tracks for the first two hours, followed by a vibrant lineup of short films and live performances. Meanwhile, the rooftop was reserved for sound and reiki healing by Diane Salomé-Diaz and Sacred Space 69. All kinds of vendors were stationed across all three levels selling clothing, accessories, illustrations, and even handmade matcha and flower arrangements.
Although EnVi arrived at Honey’s an hour after the event began, the space already felt like a family gathering. Outside the venue, folks hung around an open U-Haul chatting, eating, and recording videos. Laughter and music poured out from the open entryway, where we spoke to New York-based film production designer and writer Alyanna Moralda, whose poetry was displayed inside.
“I chose to participate in this event because I love being surrounded and inspired by other Filipinx creatives… seeing how they interact with our heritage and culture similarly and differently to how I do mine,” they said. Moralda also shared their favorite piece, “An Act of Service,” which was written as an ode to the little things in love. They explained, “I believe that the act of paying attention transcends lifetimes.”
Filo Arts co-organizers Trish Alvaro and Raymond Tisch began planning the event less than two months in advance. Armed with only their personal networks at first, one connection led to another, and eventually their “what if” became a reality. Under Alvaro and Tisch’s leadership, a team of about 30 Filipino creatives came together to make their vision possible. It is clear, then, that the appetite for an expansive Filipino arts platform was dying to be met. From concept to completion, In Bituin was 100% a volunteer and community-run effort — and a hugely successful one at that, with over 400 attendees having visited throughout the day.
On the second floor, a garland of stars was strung along a black curtain. Guests wrote their wishes — or rather, their guiding stars — as individual notes: “To create more memories,” “to seek my own applause,” and, most thematically, “have my parents rest.”
The theme of bituin (“star” in Tagalog) explores the dichotomy between practicality and creative freedom. As described in the official announcement, “Bituin exists as an homage to those who came before us, who gave us the privilege to explore, and to those who will come after us, who deserve to see their creative dreams reflected in the sky… Each story, each performance, each work of art is a star. Together, they form a constellation of possibility.”
“While our previous generation’s focus was more survival needs, making sure we make it to the next day as their dreams and getting their primary needs met, we’re the next generation where our creativity — our imagination — is not only valid, but essential,” said Alvaro, who is also a community organizer and content creator.
Film director and fellow content creator Tisch continued, “From what I’ve experienced living in New Jersey and New York, I haven’t seen spaces or platforms that celebrate Filipino creativity. Instead of finding a preexisting space to celebrate our work, we made our own.”
Through the selected artists and vendors, the team designed an all-inclusive space where intergenerational creativity could be embraced. It wasn’t just about offering a variety of artistic mediums, but also demonstrating how creative innovation transcends age. Britney Bautista, a Brooklyn-based film director and one of the curators of In Bituin, recounted a memorable interaction she had during the event.
“I was talking to one of the vendors who is from an older generation… she was telling me how grateful she was for this experience because she didn’t get to embrace being artistic and celebrating that in Filipino culture,” said Bautista. “Sometimes, it’s not seen as a legitimate career, so it’s really nice to hold a space for people to just appreciate Filipino talent. We’re talented in so many different ways.”
The day closed out with an after-party featuring music by Cuffing Season. As guests danced the night away, the first creative exhibition by the newly-formed Filo Arts collective concluded in the most Filipino way possible — hearts full, drinks flowing, and music blasting under the stars.
To see more recap content and keep up with any future Filo Arts events, be sure to follow their official Instagram page!
Interested in reading about more Filipino American collectives building community through art? Check out EnVi’s latest piece on BARANGAY Co. here!
