PhilFest 2015 Marks 20 Years of Fil-Am Celebrations in the Tampa Bay Area
PhilFest 2015 is just around the corner and everyone at PCFI is doggedly preparing for this important milestone. With Roger Caculitan as the PhilFest Chairman , Ross Balderama and Emil Cruz as his Assistant Chairs and all the different PhilFest committees all fulfilling their respective duties with the same enthusiasm and resilience that they have displayed in the past nineteen years, PCFI is sure to celebrate its 20th PhilFest with a bang!
In a few weeks the 10-acre Philippine Cultural Enrichment Complex will again be transformed into the biggest and most colorful carnival-like atmosphere where adults and children alike revel with gay abandon, old friends from within Tampa and neighboring cities or even from the motherland congregating and talking about old times; people visiting food and merchandise booths beautifully decorated much like food and merchandise stands dotting the Philippine countryside and satisfying their palate with a myriad of delicacies from almost every region in the Philippines, and witnessing song, dance and other talent presentations from not only our PCFI’s three cultural arms ( the Philippine Performing Arts Company, the Philippine Choral Group, the Musikong Kawayan Ensemble) but also some PCFI member organizations and other performance groups from neighboring cities in Florida.
This PhilFest we are very privileged to see and hear two very well-known special guests from the U.S. and Canada: First is Rex Navarrette, a well-known premier Filipino comedian, who has performed not only all over North America but also in Europe and the Philippines. He performed at the Bayanihan Arts and Events Center last December 17, 2014 and was a guest at PhilFest at the Sinagtala stage many years ago. Our second artist is Lilac Cana, a notable dynamic and award-winning Filipino-American classical, musical theatre and contemporary singer from Canada, who recently did a very memorable and well-attended concert at the Bayanihan Arts and Events Center. Both performers are coming this PhilFest because they have been impressed with our beautiful Bayanihan Arts and Events Center and Philippine Village , in addition to all of our accomplishments in preserving and presenting our Filipino cultural heritage. As usual we will have our talent competitions: Tawag ng Tanghalan (Filipino American Idol counterpart), Tanghalang Pambata (children’s talent competition)and Revolution 2015 (a hip-hop competition among college students from universities and colleges in the state of Florida). It is so heartwarming to witness the youth enthusiastically cheering for teams from their own schools vying for the very generous cash prizes awarded to the winners. A highlight of PhilFest is always the Ms./Mrs. PhilFest contest. As everyone knows, this is a healthy competition among the member organizations of PCFI in raising the most funds for the maintenance and upkeep of the Philippine Cultural and Enrichment Complex. The Grand Flores de PhilFest Parade is a sight no one should miss. It showcases everything that is beautiful in our Philippine culture: elegant ladies’ gowns, artistic Barong Tagalogs, colorful arkos and, of course, some of the world’s most beautiful Fil-American ladies and girls and handsome Fil-American men and boys. If you have not seen Yugyugan (street dancing at PhilFest participated in by PCFI member organizations) make it a point to do so. You’ll see some of the Philippine’s most colorful costumes that are a testament to the Filipinos’ creative spirit. Member organizations participating in Yugyugan vie for cash prizes awaiting the winners with the most colorful costumes. Audience members may join the street dancing if they so desire. Of course, the Philippine Fashion Show that has been a staple at every PhiFest always delights everyone – “fashionista” or not. We would be remiss if we didn’t mention the cultural exhibits at the Bayanihan Arts and Events Center under the chairmanship of Joey Omila.
Advance gate tickets are $5, while tickets at the gate are $7. Children under 5 are free. For more information about PhilFest 2015 please visit www.pcfitampa.org or call 813 925-1232. Mark your calendars for the 10th, 11th and 12th of April and invite your family and friends to catch an unforgettable glimpse of Philippine culture at PhilFest 2015. You’ll be glad you did!
PhilFest site is located at 14301 Nine Eagles Drive, Tampa FL 33626.
