It’s Fiesta time.
Sydney’s Philippine community plus a growing number of interstate and overseas visitors look forward to this year’s Grand Philippine Fiesta Kultura the biggest and longest running event for Filipinos throughout Australia which will be held this year on 7 October NSW Labour Day weekend at Fairfield Showground, corner Prairiewood and Smithfield roads, Fairfield
The event’s convenor the Philippine Australian Sports and Culture, Inc or PASC is celebrating the 25th year of the Fiesta with the theme ”Nurturing Our Bayanihan Spirit” in recognition of the community spirit of unity among all active and seasonal participants throughout the years. Bayanihan came from the root word bayan which means the people or the public.
On its day of celebration, the Grand Philippine Fiesta Kultura involves more than 2,000 stakeholders including volunteers, small businesses, community leaders, entertainers and sports personalities, government and corporate representatives locally and from abroad cooperating and working together to provide the public not only a one day “parliament of fun” but one uplifting cultural experience
Bayanihan News itself had covered every year since 1998 events surrounding the Fiesta Kultura and had been aware of its word of mouth history before 1998 including its beginnings as a simple convocation of migrant Filipinos highlighting a one-day local basketball competition.
It is believed some 30,000 visit the Fiesta every year on its traditional appointed day on NSW Labor Day public holiday in October from 9:00 am until 8:00 pm which is the conclusion of the Fiesta’s traditional Miss Philippine Australian Beauty Pageant.
Last year’s beauty pageant winners Miss Philippine Australia Joanna Cubelo and Charity Queen Jaclyn Alexander will witness and crown the incoming winner out of a record 15 beauty pageant contestants vying for the title this year. For more info on this, please see the Miss Philippine Australia Facebook site.
PASC, Inc. President Mr Manny Castillo said: ”This year an added feature is the Azkalroos Football Pathway Forumthat which will give an opportunity to trial the Philippine Azkals National Team and also the United Football League the Philippines’ own professional league in Manila. The forum is run by Mr Aly Borromeo, Philippine national co-captain. Mr Leigh Gunn, former Azkal player; and Mr Michael Moran, consultant of the Philippine Football Federation and former Azkal player.”
Other fun activities of the day are the Filipino International Food Festival, Global Australia Trade& Tourism Expo, the International and Local Filipino Talent Show, the Fil-Oz Art Exhibition and Fiesta Photo Competition and the Annual Pinoy Rides Show and Shine. Australian and Philippine dignitaries had been invited.
Fiesta ticket admission price at the gate is $20.00 and prepaid tickets which are sold at various Filipino Asian shops before the event costs $15.00.
Mr Manny Castillo’s welcome words to the readers is : “Don’t miss the fun. Join the crowd and show your bayanihan spirit”