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Once again the Philippine Cultural Enrichment Complex is abuzz with preparations now underway for PhilFest 2011 from the 8th to the 10th of April. The Philippine Cultural Foundation Board of Directors, with help from our youth and volunteers from the community  try their best to provide the 11,000-12,000 Filipinos and Filipino-Americans  who attend PhilFest a feeling of home away from home and the non-Filipinos a memorable glimpse of Philippine culture through dance, song, food, cultural exhibits, fashion shows , and colorful parades and processions. People from all walks of life coming from the Tampa Bay community and beyond take time off for a weekend of wholesome fun, delicious food and high class entertainment.

Chairing our signature event is Roger Caculitan, assisted by Lucy Bautista and Roy Covarrubias. This being our 16th annual festival, the 22 different PhilFest committees which have been tasked with the different aspects of preparation for PhilFest all these years are doing exactly what is expected of them. One PhilFest committee member once joked, “It’s now second nature to us- we know exactly what we need to do.” This is bayanihan spirit at its best!

Our resident performing arts groups (The Philippine Performing Arts Company, The Philippine Choral Group and our one-of-a-kind Musikong Kawayan Bamboo Ensemble) have been practicing long hours in order to entertain the audience with their colorful authentic Philippine folk dances, their haunting renditions of Philippine folk songs and their masterful playing of the angklung( bamboo instrument). For this we thank Joey Omila, Olive Santiano, Connie Chanrasmi, Nhick Ramiro Pacis and all their performers for their hard work. Likewise, there will be other song and dance presentations by other groups from the Tampa Bay area and beyond.

The Philippine Village will again be transformed into a typical colorful fiesta (festival) atmosphere with different local and out of town vendors in booths decorated Philippine style offering a myriad of culinary delicacies sure to cater to different palates. Merchandise vendors will be selling Philippine handicrafts, gorgeous Philippine attire and costumes for men and women alike and colorful fashion accessories.

TAWAG NG TANGHALAN, our adult singing contest American Idol style and an event everyone looks forward  to, will be on Friday and TANGHALANG PAMBATA, the much-awaited children’s singing contest, will be in the early afternoon on Sunday, April 10. Saturday will feature the traditional Mrs. PhilFest and Flores de PhilFest parade featuring ladies and girls dressed in the most elegant Philippine gowns and costumes escorted by handsome men attired in our famous Barong Tagalog in arcos of different materials and kinds. It is indeed a sight to behold. Not to be missed on Sunday is the one-of-a-kind fashion show featuring gorgeous ternos (long gowns) sure to attract all the fashionistas out there. This is always a big hit.

Not to be outdone is REVOLUTION 2011, chaired by our Board member Melissa Barrido. This is a hip-hop competition participated in by college groups from different colleges and universities in Florida, all vying for cash prizes. This is sure to be a huge hit again, as the ones in previous years. It is heartwarming to see youth from all over Florida, eagerly coming in droves to cheer for their respective college teams. It is impressive to see our talented youth in action!

Once again our beautiful and elegant Bayanihan Arts and Events Center will feature different cultural exhibits showcasing Philippine culture. The Cimafranca Library will be the venue of the Consulate On Wheels, courtesy of the Philippine Consular office in Washington, D.C. and PCFI, facilitated by the Pilipino American Political Aggregation, Inc. (PAPAG) in Tampa. The Consular Team headed by Consul General Ding Nolasco will provide consular services to the public from Friday to Sunday, culminating in a Dual Citizenship Ceremony at the Grand Hall of the Bayanihan Arts and Events Center on Sunday, April 10, 2011, at 1:00 P.M.

Don’t miss out on the chance to win cash prizes in our Grand Raffle Drawing, which will be held at the Sinagtala stage on Sunday afternoon. For $25 you can win $2000.00 for the Grand Prize, $1000.00 for the Second Prize and $500 for the Third Prize. You need not be present to win.

Sunday’s highlight will be the coronation of our Mrs. PhilFest winners. The crown and title is awarded to the candidate of the association raising the most funds for the Foundation for the past year, starting the day after PhilFest of 2010 to 2:00 P.M. on April 10, 2011. Crowns and titles   will also be awarded to the First Runner-Up and Second Runner-Up. Various other awards will also be given to the winners of the Talent, Costume, Arco and other contests.

Advance tickets are $5 and will be $6 at the gate. Children 5 and under are free.

For more information on PhilFest 2011 please visit the PCFI website at www.pcfitampa.org.

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