18th Annual FPAC

Just wanted to give a quick heads up to my SoCal readers about the 18th Annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC) happening this weekend (Sept. 12-13) in San Pedro, CA.

Widely known as Southern California’s largest and longest-running Filipino cultural celebration, FPAC will feature live performances by a diverse line-up. This year's headliner at FPAC will be Filipino Amercian comedian, Rex Navarrete:

Poo jokes. They never disappoint.

In addition to Navarrete, FPAC will also feature performances by Geologic, of the rising hip hop group the Blue Scholars; MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew Season 2 finalist, Supreme Soul; YouTube sensation, AJ Rafael; and pop vocalist Ashley Robles.

The two-day festivities will also include its first-ever Martial Arts Village--a small enclave in which I envisioned festival-goers battling each other with sticks and knives (Sumbrada, anyone?). However, I've been told that the Martial Arts Village will feature demonstrations by the IMB Academy and the South Bay Martial Arts Club--and that's just as cool.

And lastly, yes, there will be Filipino food at FPAC! In light of complaints for a lack of actual Pinoy food at last year's FPAC (one of those complaints being mine), I've been informed that FPAC organizers have gone the extra mile this year to include more Filipino food vendors. (NOTE: FPAC makes sure to approach a number of Filipino food vendors every year, but vendors don't always have the time or resources to participate.)

Vendors providing Filipino food at this year's festival will be Aling Neri's and The Park's Finest BBQ, among others. And another new addition to this year's FPAC will be a Filipino Cooking Demonstration Booth run by Chef Cecilia DeCastro. I imagine workshops on lumpia rolling and "How to skillfully evade kitchen criticisms from your mother" would be popular topics, but no matter what is demonstrated, I'm sure Chef DeCastro will handle the booth with professional ease.

To make sure you get in on all the action that FPAC has to offer, you can pre-order tickets for the festival here. Tickets will also be available at the entrance on the day of FPAC.

For more information on the Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture, check out the FPAC website here.

What: The 18th Annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture

When: September 12-13, 2009. 10am-6pm for both days.

Where: Point Fermin Park, 807 Paseo Del mar, San Pedro, CA 90731

Comments

[Joelen]

I wish Chicago had events like this!

[Mila]

Wistfully reminiscing about getting lost trying to find the place last year. Ah well. What a difference a year makes!

[caninecologne]

hi marvin!
i missed it! damn!
rex is pretty funny - he's performed in san diego a few times...

i love ethnic festivals (Filipino, Greek, Chinese, whatever) - the food is always fun to try...

[Burnt Lumpia]

Chicago doesn't have Fil-Am events, Joelen? Isn't there a big Fil-Am population there?

Things are indeed, quite different from last year, Mila!

Hey there canine. I've never seen Rex in person, but I'm sure he's killer live.