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FILIPINO-AMERICAN GRADUATES ATTEND 2^ND ANNUAL PHL GRADUATION IN NEW YORK

21 July 2014 – Filipino-American fresh graduates gathered and celebrated their accomplishments together at the second annual Philippine Graduation at the Philippine Center New York on June 9, organized by Pilipino Unity for Progress (UniPro) and Legacy New York in cooperation with the Philippine Consulate General in New York.


First Filipino-American Federal District Judge Lorna Schoefield delivered the keynote speech and shared to the youth her adventures growing up and her journey as a child of an immigrant mother that led to her present success.  She encouraged them to explore the world, to seek opportunities and ways to improve themselves.  Judge Schoelfield reminded everyone that her office is open to all of them, should they need her assistance and advice.

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FROM FREEDOM TOWER TO FIFTH AVENUE, FILIPINO DESIGNER PUEY QUINONES TAKES ON NEW YORK

17 July 2014 – In just 10 months since he moved to the United States, Filipino designer Puey Quinones is already making waves in the American fashion industry. 

The now Los Angeles-based designer flew to New York upon invitation of renowned supermodel and fashion producer Jessica Minh Anh for an exclusive fashion show at the iconic Freedom Tower of the World Trade Center in New York on June 25, where Quinones opened the show and premiered his haute couture collection for 2014. 

Nine designers were featured in the show, all chosen for their civic engagements and socially-conscious creations. 

Puey’s initiative, Project Bilibid Runway, which he started in 2007, helps the inmates in the Maximum Security ward of the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, Philippines by teaching them fashion skills.  The goal is to train them towards creation of clothes – from draping, pattern making, sewing, hand-painting fabrics and the like – to help them transition into the society and give them livelihood. He provides the materials and chooses to use as much local textiles and weaves as he can such as jusi, pina and silk cocoon in the designs.

Days prior to the show, Puey paid a courtesy call on Philippine Consul General Mario De Leon at the Philippine Consulate General in New York to collaborate on projects to promote the designer in New York.  Some of his designs featured during the fashion show will be displayed at the show windows of the Philippine Center on Fifth Avenue from July to August.