This year’s Philippine Fair commemorates
the Filipino American Centennial – 100 years of Filipino migration to the United States.
With the Capital Dome in the background, a festive and colorful street fair
with 20 food booths and close to 50 product and interactive booths are ready to
give the public the time of their life! A cultural program intermissioned by a
Pinoy Idol final contest is set to provide an excellent array of talent in
music and dance. And to top off the day, a parade relaying the story of
Filipino migration in the last 100 years will be unfolded.
This mega-production, planned and
executed by volunteers is extra meaningful because of the theme it upholds. The
Festival recognizes the legacy of the sakadas, manongs, soldiers, war brides,
and professionals who have contributed to the mainstream. All sorts of
challenges came the way of the committees, but they forged on, bent on giving
the pioneers of our heritage, the most meaningful commemoration.
June 4 marks the Fair and Parade at Pennsylvania Avenue
between 44th and 7th Streets starting
at 9:00 – 5:00. Admission is free, so bring your family and friends.
June 10 brings the elegant evening of the
Centennial Ball at the J.W. Marriott at 1330 Pennsylvania Avenue. Several
pioneers will be given full recognition for their being some of the earliest
Filipinos or part of a chain of generations in the Washington DC
area. Vangie Paredes, was a young lady when she was in Washington, DC in
the 1940s, working with the exile government of President Quezon; Ray Cabacar,
arrived in the United States in the 1940s and served with the Navy, resided in
DC and worked with the FBI for 20 years and now runs a barbershop; and Pete
Sarmiento, a long-time resident of Maryland
comes from three generations of military servicemen. Representative veterans
will also be saluted at the gala ball. There’s still time to purchase your
tickets to attend!
And then don’t forget the Sports Fest and
Community Picnic July 25. A day of family and friends getting together while
teams of volleyball compete against each other. Food and cultural programs are
presented during the dog days of summer. Other sports competitions throughout
the month include tennis, golf, and more.
For additional details please go to www.pafc-inc.org.
By Maurese Oteyza Owens
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