Catriona Gray spotlights Filipino artistry at Yaman, a 3-day cultural fest in NYC

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Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray takes Filipino pride to Times Square as she headlines Yaman, a three-day festival celebrating the Philippines’ rich artistry and heritage. 

Organized by the Friends of the Philippines Society USA, Inc., the event runs from October 31 to November 2 at the Marriott Marquis, featuring everything from indigenous weaving and handcrafted jewelry to fashion, food, and cultural performances.

HandoutGray’s advocacy video for her Miss Universe 2018 stint graced the electronic billboard at the heart of Times Square, which attracts an impressive two million eyeballs daily. The video features the weavers, Mindanao, as part of her This is Philippines series on YouTube, which perfectly suits the vision and initiative of the Filipino-Americans in the Big Apple. 

Such efforts align with Gray’s role as Arts Ambassador for the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), a position she has held since January 2020. Now in her sixth year, she continues to use her platform to champion Filipino arts and heritage through various events and campaigns.

Gray remains a symbol of timeless relevance. A multi-hyphenate talent — performer, endorser, musician, host, and creative — she continues to use her artistry to celebrate Filipino identity. The New York event is especially meaningful to her, as it echoes her deep respect for the traditions of Mindanao and other indigenous Filipino cultures.

Yaman, a Filipino word that means treasure, is a curated, multi-cultural marketplace event, blending commerce, storytelling, performance, and community dialogues. It is open to the public and is designed for wholesalers and buyers. 

For the first time, it will spotlight Philippine indigenous weavers from Abra, Aklan, T’boli, and Cordillera.

HandoutAlso featured is a photo exhibition that pays tribute to Fil-American visionaries from the past to the present, who helped shape America’s cultural, political, and social tapestry. 

There is also a series of talks that touch on educational, business, and culture, as well as a fashion design competition, where New Yorjk creativity meets Filipino soul, crafting a legacy of beauty, equity, and enterprise. 

Finally, there is the most-awaited Filipiniana-themed gala night, which brings together cultural leaders, artists, dignitaries, and changemakers from across the diaspora and the Philippines for a night of performances, culinary experiences, fashion and music. 

LinkedIn co-founder Lee Hower and Filipino entrepreneur-philanthropist-human rights advocate Loida Nicolas-Lewis will be the guest speakers for a Power Talk on opening day.  

On closing day, The Voice 2024 champ Sofronio Vasquez will have a mini-concert. 

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Yaman is an initiative of the Friends of the Philippines Society USA, Inc., founded in December 2017 by Edwin Josue and Jerry Sibal. It is dedicated to amplifying Filipino heritage and fostering cultural pride, combating and building bridges across communities through arts, storytelling, and public programming.  

The organization has produced and supported a range of initiatives, including the acclaimed Filipino opera "Noli Me Tangere," Art for Humanity honoring Filipino frontline workers during the 2020 COVID pandemic, and Explore Islands of the Philippines, in collaboration with the Philippine Department of Tourism at the New York Grand Central Terminal.  

For more information about Yaman, log on to its official website and social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram via @yamannyc.

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