Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture
In case anyone that happens to read this blog will happen to be in SoCal from September 6-7...
The 17th Annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC) will be going down in San Pedro, CA from September 6-7, 2008. As the name suggests, this two-day extravaganza will showcase a multitude of Pinoy arts and culture through this year's theme of:
Katutubong landas tungo masaganang bukas – “Native ways toward a prosperous future.”
According to the FPAC website: FPAC is Southern California’s largest and longest running Filipino tradition. FPAC is made possible by over 250 participating artists, 400 volunteers and 25,000 attendees over the weekend. Set in the breathtaking seaside park of Point Fermin, FPAC has something for the whole family to enjoy.
And from what I've been told so far, FPAC indeed has a lil' something for everyone this year. Headlining FPAC will be Latin R&B Singer Joe Bataan (I'm already shakin' my hips in anticipation, unless that's not cool for a guy to say. In that case, I'm tapping my toes.)
In addition to Joe Bataan, Christine Gambito of Happy Slip fame will also be headlining at FPAC and performing her debut comedy set (this I definitely have to check out as I am a HUGE Happy Slip fan).
Aside from the headliners at FPAC, there will also be live art and painting at the Pilipino Artist Network (PAN), as well as a number of other performances including traditional and contemporary Filipino music and dance. In fact, my own dance crew, Marvin and the Patis Patrol, will engage in a dance-off with Kaba Modern. Ooohhh, you got served!
(I'm joking, of course. Although Kaba Modern will actually be performing at FPAC, I will definitely not be competing in a dance-off. I've just always wanted to write Ooohhh, you got served! I feel complete.)
Although I will not be cabbage-patching (it's a lost art), I will definitely be in attendance at the Festival on at least one of the days checking out the multitude of food vendors and stuffing my face with Filipino food. In addition to the good eats that will be on offer, I've also been told that there will be a Balut-eating contest and a Giant Vegetable Competition in the Seniors Village (who's got the biggest ampalaya, perhaps?).
So if you're interested in learning about Filipino culture, or if you want to peruse some great art from Pinoy artists, or if you just want to eat some great food, then I strongly suggest you check out the Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture. And no, silly, you don't have to be Filipino to attend. Tell a friend, homey.
What: The 17th Annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture
When: September 6-7, 2008. 10am-6pm for both days.
Where: Point Fermin Park, 807 Paseo Del mar, San Pedro, CA 90731
For more info, visit www.filamarts.org
Hee, that reminds me of the Hip Hop Kids sketch from SNL:
Jason (as he's getting eaten by cave-dwellers): I'm gettin' served! I'm gettin' served!
:D
I hope you're able to show us plenty of pics, Marvin! And I hope the food does not disappoint :)
Posted by: Manggy | August 26, 2008 at 01:36 AM
"cabbage-patching", Oh the horrors of junior high. . . I broke my wrist in a cabbage-patching accident.
Posted by: Erin | August 26, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Haha, long live the cabbage patch! Since the 80's are back, could the CB be far behind? I'm so there! LOL!
Posted by: bagito | August 26, 2008 at 07:50 PM
I would like to go but.....I'll check out their website anyway and thanks for the info.
Posted by: oggi | August 27, 2008 at 04:49 PM
im 100% behind this!! too bad can't come and see this hope someone will upload it in youtube :-D
Posted by: dhanggit | August 29, 2008 at 02:28 AM
you know, i went to this over the weekend, and sadly, there was a very noticeable lack of filipino goodies. where was the lechon? where were the lumpia? how now the kare kare or bibingka?
there was really only one stand/vendor dishing out filipino food. and the line was insane. the other stands were thai and japanese. oh, and funnel cake. funnel cake!
we ended up not even eating there. it was truly disappointing.
Posted by: eris r. | September 08, 2008 at 11:27 PM
The ironic thing is, Manggy, that I did not get served. The food was disappointing. But everything else at the festival was great.
Wow, Erin! You must've been really going at it if you broke your wrist cabbage patching!
I never knew the cabbage patch was ever gone, bagito:)
No prob, oggi.
It was still a great event, dhanggit, but no video footage from me.
I'm with you eris, I was very disappointed in the food too. But I hope you still had a good time there anyways.
Posted by: Burnt Lumpia | September 12, 2008 at 07:55 AM