A parade of traditional Filipino costumes will open the celebration of the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s annual Barrio Fiesta at 9 a.m. Oct. 3 at the Campus Center Plaza.
The colorful event is free.
Students of the Filipino studies certificate program, members of the Bayanihan Club, Hilo Visayan Club and Big Island Filipino Community Council will come in traditional, ethnic and contemporary Filipino costumes to emulate a traditional Barrio Fiesta.
Dr. Norman Arancon, assistant professor of horticulture and one of the event’s organizers, explained that a Barrio Fiesta usually is celebrated with a cultural display of multicolored dresses and garbs that represent different tribal groups and influences from colonizers such as the Spaniards.
The public also is encouraged to attend the Barrio Fiesta wearing any Filipino attire or costumes of their choice.
One the highlights of the fiesta organized by the Filipino-American Heritage Month Committee is the selection of Mr. And Ms. Filipino-American Heritage. Unlike formal and conventional beauty pageants, the winner of this contest will be selected by a group of judges informally from any Filipino-American ladies and gentlemen in the crowd wearing Filipino attire or costumes based on certain criteria, such as overall appearance, bearing and spontaneity at responding to questions among others.
As per tradition, the winner of the titles will grace events lined up for the Filipino-American Heritage Month celebration and will serve as ambassadors of goodwill. Great prizes await the winners.
Iris Viacrusis, costume designer and last year’s FAHM leadership awardee, generously has provided some of the traditional costumes to students.
To enhance the atmosphere of the Barrio Fiesta, great music including island reggae, contemporary popular music and rock ’n’ roll will be played from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. by bands such as the Lions Isle, The Project and Bolo Rodriguez.
Don’t forget the first-ever balut (unhatched duck egg) eating contest that will take place during the fiesta.
There will be more to eat than just balut. Filipino food and other items will be available for purchase.
And for anyone who has not ridden on a Philippine “jeepney,” this will be a great chance to hop on the vehicle while touring the main landmarks of the UH-Hilo campus.
For more information, email FAHM chairman Dr. Rodney Jubilado at rodneycj@hawaii.edu or Arancon at normanq@hawaii.edu or call 932-7209.
