PhilFest 2013
Once again the Philippine Cultural Enrichment Complex is busy with preparations for PhilFest 2013 from the 5th to the 7th of April. The Philippine Cultural Foundation Board of Directors, with help and volunteers from the community, try their best to provide the 12-13,000 Filipinos and Filipino-Americans who attend PhilFest a feeling of nostalgia for the motherland and the non-Filipinos an impressive glimpse of Philippine culture through dance, song, food, cultural exhibits, fashion shows , and colorful parades and processions. People of all ages and all walks of life coming from the Tampa Bay community and beyond take time off for a weekend of fun for everyone, delicious food and high class entertainment. After all, PhilFest, considered one of the largest outdoor festivals in the country, happens only once a year.With PCFI Board member Lucy Bautista chairing this annual signature event, PhilFest 2013 is sure to be as successful and enjoyable as all the seventeen PhilFests before it. This is because the PhilFest 2013 committee is composed of hardworking and dedicated committee chairs and members who consider preparing for the festival as second nature to them. The bayanihan spirit is magnificently displayed in all aspects, from the weeks of preparation to the festival itself.
Once again the Philippine Village will be transformed into a typical colorful fiesta (festival) atmosphere with numerous local and out of town vendors sell culinary offerings catering to different palates in booths decorated with colorful Philippine motifs. Merchandise vendors will be selling handicrafts, gorgeous Philippine attire, both for men and women, colorful fashion accessories, as well as different types of merchandise, both Philippine and non-Philippine. There will be something for everyone.
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 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.
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 7. Saturday will feature the traditional Mrs. PhilFest and Flores de PhilFest parade with beautiful 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 for everyone. Sunday also holds YUGYUGAN, a street carnival dancing competition between different Filipino-American organizations.
Not to be outdone is REVOLUTION 2013; 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 all out to cheer for their respective college teams.
Sunday brings so much excitement at GMA Pinoy TV and GMA Live TV present Singer/Songwriter/Producer/Actor/Host Kris Lawrence in an afternoon show at the Sinagtala Theater. Kris is an official Kapuso artist of GMA and has bagged several awards for his talent.
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 2012 to 12:00 noon on April 7, 2013. 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. No candidate will go home without an award.
Starting Thursday, April 4, the Bayanihan Arts and Events Center, PISTAHAN, a cultural exhibit showing various festivals in the Philippines like the Ati-atihan, Penafrancia and others, will be held. The exhibit, being set up by different PCFI organizations and supervised by PCFI Board Member Olive Santiano, will be open daily until PhilFest closes.
Advance tickets to PhilFest are $5 and will be $6 at the gate. Children 5 and under are free. The Bayanihan Arts and Events Center and the Philippine Cultural Enrichment Complex where the festival will be held is located at 14301 Nine Eagles Drive, Tampa, FL 33626.
For more information on PhilFest 2013 please call our office at (813) 925-1232, call Lucy Bautista at (727) 639-7980 or visit the PCFI website at www.pcfitampa.org.
PhilFest 2013 Schedule:
Friday, April 5, 2013, 4:00PM – 11:00 PM
Saturday, April 6, 2013, 10:00AM – 11:00 PM
Sunday, April 7, 2013, 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
To know more about past PhilFest and see photos from the events, look through our PhilFest section.
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