Last Saturday, August 1st, our paper, Balita Media participated as one of the media partners at the Filipinotown Festival in downtown Los Angeles.
The festivity kicked off with a procession and parade around the grounds of the Silver Lake Medical Center, carrying the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary where the all – day event took place. The program was hosted by Benito Miranda and Anjanette Abayari.
A Holy Mass was officiated by Father Robert Victoria and welcome remarks were made by Filipinotown Neighborhood Council President, Cecile Ramos and by the Honorable Consul General Leo Herrera Lim who’s always accommodating with his time and with a sense of humor, he said: “it’s nice to know that we, Pinoys are known for our parties and pagkain,” so let’s start the “party!”
An original Filipinotown song was sung by singer/composer Edmund Perlas and the patriotic hymn was sang by Pastor Adolfo Bugayong.
The Cambodian Cultural Group were also among those who participated, bringing with them, Cambodian singer, Rithy Hahn.
Historic Filipinotown Festival Fashion Show which featured Miss Philippines USA 2015 fashion models, wearing the exquisite fashion designs of: Mul Tayoba, Lou Razon and Carl Andrada (seated from left foreground). Photo: Louie Garcia
A Kare-Kare cooking demonstration followed, shown by Chef Louis Esguaras and sponsored by the vendors of Salad Master along with the popular Pinoy supermarket, Seafood City.
As a festival showcasing Filipino culture, a couple of Filipino folk dances were performed by some officers and members of the Filipino American Community of LA (FACLA) and a young artists’ singing competition was held, sponsored by Jona Peralta of the Center Stage Vocal Academy school and singer John Paul Puno. A few Filipino children also participated in a brief fashion show coordinated by Priscilla Marte.
Guest performer was actress/singer Geneva Cruz, who really wowed the crowd with her singing gyrations but highlight of the warm, sunny day was the fabulous Filipiniana fashion show of Fil-Am designers: Lou Razon, Mul Tayoba and Carl Andrada.
Overall, the Filipinotown Festival offered a celebration of Filipino culture, talent and entrepreneurship through the participation of 50 Filipino-owned businesses along with 7 food trucks.
Finally, we would like to take this opportunity to commend the project management team of Lou Razon and Vic Perez for the Filipinotown Festival’s huge success! Mabuhay!