published Atlantic Highlands Herald 16 March 2006

press release

MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ — Saturday, April 8, 2006, from 1 - 2:30 pm, Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission and the Folklife Program for New Jersey present, Palaspas,Traditional Filipino Palm Weaving Workshop, with Samahan Cultural Heritage, Eastern Seaboard, Inc. at East Jersey Olde Towne Village, 1050 River Road, Piscataway. Funding for this program is provided by Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission, New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Palaspas, which means palm weaving in the Philippine language, is a centuries old tradition practiced in preparation for Palm Sunday. Coconut palm fronds are woven into intricate designs and brought to church to be blessed. Once blessed, palaspas are displayed in the home for protection and decoration. Filipino families have preserved their own weaving patterns by passing them down orally from one generation to the next.

Participants of this hands-on workshop will learn how to create this special folk craft under the instruction of master artists from Samahan Cultural Heritage, Eastern Seaboard, Inc.

Palaspas, Traditional Filipino Palm Weaving Workshop will be presented in a bilingual format, with an interpreter speaking English and Tagalog, the official language of the Philippines.

Samahan Cultural Heritage, Eastern Seaboard, Inc. is a non-profit cultural group that was created in an effort to preserve and present Philippine traditions to the general public and within the community. Since its inception more than ten years ago, this group has gained an expert reputation in the research and presentation of a variety of Philippine traditions, including their Palaspas instructional workshops.

The Folklife Program for New Jersey was established by the Middlesex County Cultural and Heritage Commission in 1990 to broaden the appreciation and availability of folk arts, folklore, and folklife within Middlesex County; identify and preserve folk traditions expressed by the people of Central New Jersey; provide a forum for the presentation of New Jersey and regional folk artists, recognized by their community for excellence; encourage public involvement in the folk arts through educational programming and cross-cultural exchange.

Palaspas, is presented without charge, however registration is required, as space is limited. To register contact the Commission, 732.745.4489. Those with hearing impairments may call 732.745.3888 (TTY), or 711 via the New Jersey Relay Service. East Jersey Olde Towne Village is a fully accessible site; an Assistive Listening System will be in use during the program. An American Sign Language interpreter can be provided without charge upon a two-week advance request.