About Us

Who we are

CREATIVE HEARTS UNITED has a rich history of supporting arts and cultural endeavours, cultivating talent to enhance the well-being of the Filipino community in Leeds and across Yorkshire.

We inspire individuals and community groups to display their artistic talents with the goal of enhancing self-esteem, confidence, and motivation. Our efforts aim to provide recognition for artists, address social inclusion, support amateur performances, and encourage volunteerism, all while nurturing a thriving and vibrant Filipino community in Leeds and across Yorkshire.

Our engagement in artistic activities goes beyond cultural enrichment; it actively promotes physical and mental well-being. By encouraging individuals to stay active, alleviating stress-related physical symptoms, and fostering a healthier lifestyle, our initiatives make a positive impact on the holistic health of our Filipino community.

Through our initiatives, we strive to assist Filipinos and Filipino-British individuals, particularly those in demanding roles such as healthcare, in achieving a more balanced work-life dynamic. This contributes to heightened job satisfaction and overall well-being.

Our approach

Our Mission

Enabling the community to partake in activities that enrich their social well-being and encourage wholesome recreation is our primary goal.

We achieve this by orchestrating diverse projects, including public performances and art workshops, with a primary focus on serving the Filipino and Filipino-British communities in Leeds, West Yorkshire and its neighbouring regions.

Our Vision

We advocate for Filipino arts, culture, and heritage, elevating public engagement through a vibrant array of events and celebrations.

By placing particular emphasis on the performing and visual arts, our aim is to cultivate a deeper connection to our rich Philippine heritage, fostering creativity and inclusivity within our community. All of this is geared towards enhancing community cohesion and unity.

Creative Hearts United, A Filipino charitable arts and culture organisation organisation

Creative Hearts United, A Filipino charitable arts and culture organisation

Our background and history

Empowering and uniting the creative Filipino hearts in West Yorkshire and the surrounding areas through artistic expression and cultural exchange.

CREATIVE HEARTS UNITED has a deep-rooted legacy of backing arts and cultural initiatives aimed at benefiting the Filipino community residing in Leeds, West Yorkshire.

Established by the devoted Filipino-British couple, Ronald and Emma Chu, their voluntary endeavour sprung from their unwavering dedication to nurturing creativity and cultural enhancement within their community. They identified the necessity for a platform that could bring together and empower this community by fostering artistic expression and facilitating cultural exchange.

The couple had a profound passion for the performing and visual arts, and their journey into community projects in Leeds began in 2013. Their initial venture into the realm of community involvement was sparked by the vibrant Filipino community thriving in the city.

During their early years, the couple hosted small-scale workshops in their own home. These workshops encompassed a wide range of activities, including traditional Filipino dance, contemporary dance performances, as well as the creation of dance costumes and props, all designed to celebrate the rich and diverse culture of Philippine arts.

With enthusiastic participants from their community, they frequently received invitations to showcase their talents at Filipino gatherings, religious functions, local competitions, and notably, at cultural festivals like the Barrio Fiestas (Town Festivals).

Before long, they became deeply engaged with the non-profit entity known as the Filipino Leeds Association (FLA). Within the charity organisation, they chaired sub-committees, typically overseeing cultural festivals, shows and performances. This included comprehensive involvement in digital marketing, from website maintenance to managing various social media outlets.

Then, in 2022, both Ronald and Emma assumed positions as trustees within a Filipino charity organisation. They presided over the committee responsible for cultural festivals for two consecutive years, spearheading the Leeds Barrio Fiesta in 2022 and 2023.

As their projects flourished, Ronald and Emma’s vision expanded, and together with Vivian Bartolome and Cherry Mullins, they realised that the community needed a formal structure to sustain and grow their efforts. On 13 November 2023, Creative Hearts United was officially established as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.

This marked a significant milestone in their journey, allowing them to access resources and support to further empower and unite the creative Filipino hearts in West Yorkshire and the surrounding areas through artistic expression and cultural exchange.

Our impact

Our Work in Pictures

Explore these captivating images that collectively form our visual odyssey, offering a vivid portrayal of vibrant artistic and cultural expressions that have had a profound impact on the community. Spanning over a decade, each photograph encapsulates the essence of our journey, showcasing the evolution, resilience, and transformative influence that Creative Hearts United has woven into the fabric of the Filipino community in Leeds, West Yorkshire and its surrounding areas.

Creative Hearts United. The trustees curated several Santa Cruzan (Holy Cross) processions for the annual Leeds Barrio Fiestas. Santa Cruzan is a pinnacle of the Filipino summer festival and can be described as a sort of religious-historical beauty pageant.

We curated our first Santa Cruzan in Leeds Barrio Fiesta 2013.

Creative Hearts United. Malong dance at the Leeds Barrio Fiesta 2013.

We participated in the traditional Malong dance at Leeds Barrio Fiesta 2013.

Creative Hearts United. Megan performing at K-Brosas Show in 2013.

We encouraged teens to perform live at K-Brosas show in 2013.

Creative Hearts United. Filipino children from Leeds performed at K Brosas Live in Leeds show 2013.

We choreographed the Filipino children’s contemporary dance in K-Brosas show 2013.

Creative Hearts United. Filipino children in Choir rehearsal for the Philippine typhoon appeal charity concert

We curated the children’s choir for the Concert for the Ruin, a fundraising project for the Philippine typhoon appeal in 2013.

Creative Hearts United. Leeds Barrio Fiesta 2014 poster by Ronald Chu

We designed the Leeds Barrio Fiesta 2014 poster and managed all aspects of social media marketing.

Creative Hearts United. A typical Barrio Fiesta in the United Kingdom is normally opened by a procession called “Santa Cruzan” (Holy Cross). Santa Cruzan is a religion-historical ritual pageant of children dressed in colourful traditional dresses and attires.

Our second time curating the Santa Cruzan parade in Leeds Barrio Fiesta 2014.

Creative Hearts United founders at the Leeds Barrio Fiesta 2014 opening parade.

We assisted in organising and managing the elements of the Leeds Barrio Fiesta 2014 cultural festival production.

Creative Hearts United. Angel at the Leeds Barrio Fiesta 2014 Santa Cruzan parade.

An angel participating in the Santa Cruzan procession in Leeds Barrio Fiesta 2014.

Creative Hearts United. Beautiful fairy at Kyrah's birthday.

A beautiful fairy appeared at Kyrah’s 6th birthday party.

Creative Hearts United. Fairies at Kyrah's birthday.

We choreographed the kids’ dance at Kyrah’s 6th birthday party.

Creative Hearts United. This performance is inspired by a beloved Tagalog folk song that vividly portrays the challenges faced by farmers as they tirelessly plant rice in the muddy paddies.

We participated in the “Magtanim ay di Buro” (Planting Rice is Never Fun) dance performance in Leeds Barrio Fiesta 2014.

Creative Hearts United. Dinagyang dance at the Leeds Barrio Fiesta 2014.

We participated in the “Dinagyang” (Merry Making) dance at the Leeds Barrio Fiesta 2014.

The making of the bahay kubo props for Leeds Barrio Fiesta 2014

Creative Hearts United. Bayanihan, the practice of communal unity during house relocations in Leeds Barrio Fiesta 2014 opening procession. The miniaturise version of the bahay kubo was created by Ronald Chu

We designed and produced props for cultural events such as the miniaturised version of a “Bayanihan Bahay Kubo” (Traditional stilt house)

Creative Hearts United. Sylvia's lavish 60th birthday celebration in 2014.

We helped curate the Sylvia’s lavish 60th birthday celebration in 2014.

Creative Hearts United. Christmas nativity play at FLA Christmas Party 2014.

We curated the Filipino Leeds Association Christmas Nativity play in 2014.

We choreographed the Filipino kids’ dance for Caleigh’s 7th birthday party in 2014.

We choreographed the Filipino kids’ dance at Ulopang ng Pangasinan’s Christmas party 2014.

We choreographed the kid’s dance for Caleigh’s 7th birtday party in 2014.

We choreographed the kid’s ballroom dance for Marianne Faye’s 7th birthday Party in 2015.

We choreographed the kids’ dance in the Filipno NHS renal nurses – Renalytes’ Christmas party 2015.

We are one of the organisers of the Filipino Leeds Association Fun Day 2015 at Middleton Leisure Centre.

We participated in the ballroom dance for Mark’s 50th birthday in 2015.

Creative Hearts United. Leeds Barrio Fiesta 2016 poster by Ronald Chu

We designed the Leeds Barrio Fiesta 2016 poster and managed all aspects of social media marketing.

We participated in the Leeds Barrio Fiesta 2016.

Creative Hearts United. Stage backdrop designed by Ronald Chu

We designed and installed the stage backdrop for Filipino NHS Renal nurses – Renalytes’ “Pistang Pasko” Christmas party 2016.

We choreographed the kids’ dance in Roxanne’s 7th & Marianne’s 10th Birthday in 2018.

We designed and installed the stage backdrop for Filipino NHS Renal nurses – Renalytes’ “Family is Love” Christmas party 2018.

Creative Hearts United. Leeds Barrio Fiesta 2022 poster

We designed the Leeds Barrio Fiesta 2022 poster and managed all aspects of social media marketing.

Creative Hearts United. "Iisang Bangka Tayo” (We're all in one boat) serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring spirit of unity that unites the Filipino community, even in the face of adversity. The miniaturise boat was created by Ronald Chu.

We designed and produced a miniaturise “Bangka”, a traditional Filipino boat, for the Leeds Barrio Fiesta 2022.

Creative Hearts United. Pandanggo sa Ilaw, a traditional dance .

We actively facilitated and project managed the Leeds Barrio Fiesta cultural festival in 2022.

Creative Hearts United. Dinagyang headdresses designed and made by Ronald Chu.

We designed and produced costumes for Dinagayang Dance Troupe in 2023.

Creative Hearts United. "Dinagyang" (Merrymaking) dance troupe and enlisted Mr. Neil Quiachon as our over-all choreographer.

We joined the 2023 London Barrio Fiesta sa Hounslow.

Creative Hearts United. Barrio Fiesta 2023 poster by Ronald Chu

We designed the Leeds Barrio Fiesta 2023 poster and managed all aspects of social media marketing.

Creative Hearts United. Mr Ronald Chu from Creative Hearts United took the pioneering step of launching the inaugural amateur photo contest within the Filipino community in Leeds.

We curated the first Filipino photo contest 2023 in Leeds.

Creative Hearts United. Mrs Jocelyn Villar Hayes performed the “Pag-Apir”, a traditional dance of the Maranao people on the island of Mindanao, Philippines.

We partnered with Lancaster-based company, Philippine Euro-Asia Pageant to present a traditional Pag-Apir dance in 2023.

Creative Hearts United. A scene from Leeds Barrio Fiesta 2023, photo taken by Ronald Chu.

As the event manager, we orchestrated the Leeds Barrio Fiesta 2023, managing the overall coordination of this cultural festival in Leeds.

We performed at the Bradford Barrio Fiesta 2024, organised by the Filipino Community Bradford.

Creative Hearts United. The Kalesa, a miniaturise version of a traditional Filipino Horse Drawn Carriage created by Ronald Chu, at the Leeds Barrio Fiesta 2023.

We designed and produced a miniaturise “Kalesa”, a traditional Filipino horse drawn carriage, for the Leeds Barrio Fiesta 2023.

Creative Hearts United. Dinagyang Dance Troupe from Yorshire joined the Ryde Illuminated Carnival 2023.

We won first prize in the 2023 Ryde Illuminated Carnival competition with Asian Global UK in the Isle of Wright.

Creative Hearts United. The Untitled Band from Leeds performing at the Leeds Barrio Fiesta 2023.

We encourage young adults to actively participate in a variety of activities such as the Leeds Barrio Fiesta 2023.

We won third prize at the cultural show in Philippine Centre 40th Barrio Fiesta sa London with TFC.

We participated at the first-ever Barrio Fiesta sa Cheshire East, organised by Cheshire East Filipino Community .

GIVE US A HAND

Your support is vital to ensure that we can continue to provide opportunities for our community to engage in arts and cultural activities that enhance their lives.

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