The Philippine Consulate General in Dubai is set to open its Hiraya Art Workshop Series on 26 September 2025, beginning with a session titled “Mga Natural na Kulay sa Sining: Art as Therapy” at the Consulate grounds. The event, scheduled at 9:00 AM, forms part of the Consulate’s Labindalawa campaign and will be held in collaboration with Alpha Phi Omega (APO) UAE Alumni Association 96 and the APO Committee on Culture and the Arts.
The launch session will be facilitated by Zarah Suliguin Alunday, a curator and cultural advocate known for her work with APO Philippines and her initiatives in creative wellness. Alunday has been recognized within the APO community as a Regional Director and has previously guided participants in exploring how art, particularly through natural pigments, can foster well-being.
The name Hiraya is drawn from the old Tagalog blessing “Hiraya Manawari,” meaning “may your hopes and dreams come true.” Rooted in pre-colonial tradition, it signifies the Filipino belief in imagination as a powerful force to transform aspirations into reality. By reviving this ancestral word, the workshop series emphasizes the role of creativity in healing, empowerment, and community connection.
Each session will invite participants to rediscover indigenous methods of making and using colors, reflecting the depth of Filipino heritage while offering art as a form of therapy and personal renewal.
Consul General Marford M. Angeles underscored the importance of the initiative, stating: “Hiraya affirms that art reflects our collective dreams as a nation. Through natural colors and native practices, we pay tribute to our heritage and create a space for reflection and renewal. This workshop series celebrates Filipino creativity and invites everyone to envision a future shaped by imagination and shared purpose.”
