A Vision for the Future: Balay Kreative Launch Party

In July of 2019, Make it Mariko teamed up with our nonprofit partner Kultivate Labs and won a $250K grant from the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD) to plan a series of pop up events to strategize for a future Filipino American Arts & Culture Center, Balay Kreative. We’ve been hard at work strategizing for this project as well as going through a series of community trainings called “Trauma Informed Systems” work so that we can better serve our entire community.

One of our last events of the year was to officially launch the Balay Kreative name and project at the intimate community event space, Alloy Collective, in the heart of SOMA Pilipinas. Ringing in a new decade brings the promise of new endeavors and deeper growth for our team and community. Make It Mariko is proud to be a part of this historic project and strives to broaden and strengthen our SOMA Pilipinas community by building the foundation for a brighter future.

The word ‘balay’ means home in many Filipino dialects (not Tagalog), as it was important for us to recognize the many languages that are spoken throughout the Philippines. We wanted to create a name that explored our unique experience as Filipinos in the diaspora, and that discussed the concept of HOME and creating home wherever we go.

The vision for Balay Kreative stems from the idea of creating a space where artists, youth, families, seniors, and community members can celebrate their collective history while building their hope and vision for a thriving community.

Performances from local musicians Astralogik and dancer SAMMAY emphasized the creative talent emerging from the community. Artists Kristian Kabuay and Erina C. Alejo were featured at the launch party, their art reflecting ideas of culture, community, and home.