SAN DIEGO - Nearly 13,000 people flooded Paradise Valley Road between Gilmartin Ave and Woodman St. on Saturday October 4 to celebrate The Filipino American Arts and Culture Festival, better known as FilAmFest. A free event, FilAmFest is the largest Filipino American community festival in Southern California. Underwritten by a number of city and county grants as well as generous corporate and individual sponsors including Gawad Kalinga, Seafood City, Citi, Sempra Energy Foundation and many others, FilAmFest is the product of a community-based Organizing Committee with Kalusugan Community Services serving as the festival's fiscal agent and District 4 Councilman Anthony Young's strong support.
With two stages jam-packed with entertainment from all over the United States, over 90 vendors, a children's area with face painting, and an art exhibit featuring the talents of Ricky Nierva of Pixar and comic legend Whilce Portacio, the festival had something for everyone. Kitchie Nadal, Philippine-based double platinum musician, L.A. based hip-hop artist Bambu and international dance sensation Ashley Robles performed their latest hits to crowds of screaming fans. Willy Santos, renowned professional skateboarder, brought his skateboarding crew to share their talent and skills. World Flyweight Champion Nanito Donaire was on site to sign autographs and take pictures with boxing aficionados in the crowd. Artists such as Cecilia Linayao and Glenn Llorin displayed their work in the Art Exhibit area. The organizing committee also unveiled the festival's mascot, Jhun Jhun the Carabao, to a delighted and amused crowd.
Lily Ann B. Villaraza, one of the main coordinators of the FilAmFest, emphasized the hard work and team effort that made this event come to life. "Each person who signed up to be a part of the organizing committee did so because they saw FilAmFest as a good and positive event that strives to bring a greater sense of community to everyone involved," she said. Villaraza emphasized the point that the festival was not the product of one, but of many. Her counterparts, Dennis-Michael Broussard and Edward Aparis, agreed. "We worked together for over 9 months to put it all together, and it was the committee's hard work that has made it so successful. We are deeply honored to have had the opportunity to work with such an amazing and dedicated staff."
Aileen Catapusan, a representative of the international philanthropy Gawad Kalinga, described the correlation between her organization and what the FilAmFest encompasses in an interview done by The Backroom Podcast Show.
"I see [the relationship between Gawad Kalinga and events such as these] as collaborations because the FilAmFest and other organizations - what they're doing out there in the world is fabulous," Catapusan said. "As each and every organization achieves their vision and mission, [and] it all fits into the Gawad Kalinga vision of nation building for our [Filipino] people."
Catapusan also commented on how she was proud of the Filipino American youth. "I see youth that are really engaged in our community," she added. "When I was growing up, waving the [Filipino] flag was not cool."
Event participant and graduate student Marie Manalo, 26, talked about her favorite exhibit at the festival. "My favorite was the art [exhibit]," Manalo said. "It's good seeing a lot of good Filipino artist's talent being showcased."
Dr. Aurora S. Cudal, Chair of the FilAmFest Organizing Committee, said that FilAmFest has not only become a showcase for Filipino arts and culture but also a social laboratory for youth leadership development and volunteerism.
"The community should support [FilAmFest] because of the opportunities it offers to preserve and promote [Filipino] culture, to foster pride in our cultural heritage and bridge the intergenerational gap. FilAmFest provides a space for uniting the diverse cultures within the Filipino American community and it empowers our young people," Cudal added.
Villaraza agrees with Dr. Cudal's statement. "Being active in our community is the only way we can increase our visibility in the larger American society," she said. "FilAmFest and other events like it keep us connected to each other in a very tangible way, giving us all something to identify with, creating solidarity in our community."
Event participant Wilhenry Almazan II expressed his gratitude for the festival in a thank you note. "I love the positive impact and positive empowerment that this is giving to our young Filipino girls and boys. I wish we could've had this when I was growing up." Sharing the email with the rest of the Organizing Committee, Villaraza mentioned that the Mr. Alamzan's sentiments exemplify her reason she continues being involved in the San Diego Filipino American community – despite the fact that she is a doctoral student at Northern Illinois University. "We are making an impact. And it's positive. That's all we can ask."
When asked where she sees the FilAmFest five years from now, Villaraza smiled and said, "Bigger. Better. Amazing."
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