Upcoming Performance
Asian Arts Initiative
& Urmika Devi present

MOVING BEYOND FORM Explorations in Rhythm
& Storytelling in Classical
& Contemporary Indian Dance Friday, Feb. 26, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, 4:30 p.m.

Asian Arts Initiative
1219 Vine Street, Chinatown, Philadelphia
$20 general admission

Click to buy tickets

For more information:
(215) 557-0455
www.asianartsinitiative.org

Recent Work

Lydia-Yasmeen Gecobe Peera (1945-2006): A Lifetime Dedicated to Education and Culture 

“She was one of the most generous people I know and made a great contribution to the community. She won’t be forgotten.” – Janet Napolitano, Governor of Arizona  “Lydia was one of the most beautiful people that I have ever met inside and out. Her smile, her laugh and her kind and gentle way is something that I will never forget.” – Gabrielle Giffords, Arizona Congresswoman

Raised in Nueva Vizcaya in the Philippines, Lydia Peera came to the United States in 1969. After a Masters in Education at Chapman College in California, Lydia went on to continue her education as a student in the Doctoral Program for Educational Administration at the University of Arizona. As a dynamic teacher, Lydia taught at the TUSD schools for over 22 years, one of them being Doolen Middle School. She believed there was a bright, intelligent person in every child and made it her mission to encourage students and others to discover their full potential. 

As a community leader, Lydia promoted cultural understanding. She was President of the Filipino-American Sampaguita Club as well as the Pan-Asian Community Alliance. She also planned programs and events for the Mabuhay Cultural Foundation, The Cultural Exchange Council of Tucson and Tucson Meet Yourself, and numerous other fundraising events. She was a YWCA Woman On The Move and recognized as Woman of the Year by the University of Arizona Asian American Faculty, Staff and Students Association.  
Despite all her endeavors, Lydia always made her family a priority. Married to Shiraz Peera, her loving husband of 30 years, they had three children. Unfortunately this remarkable, compassionate and generous woman, who was sought out for her wisdom and charisma, left behind many ties and unrealized dreams when she passed away suddenly after battling a devastating illness. According to Dr. Dolores Basden, “She exhibited grace and dignity throughout the illness - - - I hope in the future we will have more effective treatments for patients with advanced cancer.” 

The University of Arizona Lydia-Yasmeen Gecobe Peera Endowment
Lydia Peera had strong ties to the University of Arizona. A dream of hers was to create a scholarship fund for financially needy students, and the Peera family has continued working to make this a reality by creating this endowment in her name.