Today, we gather to honor a remarkable milestone – the 50th anniversary of the Philippine Center building on 5th Avenue. This iconic edifice has stood as a beacon of Filipino heritage and culture in the heart of New York City for half a century. It has been a home away from home for countless Filipinos, a place where they could find a piece of their homeland in a foreign land. Over the years, the Philippine Center has hosted numerous events, fostering a sense of community and promoting the rich and diverse culture of the Philippines. As we celebrate this golden jubilee, we pay tribute to the visionaries who made the Philippine Center a reality, and to the generations…