The Filipino-American Heritage Month organizing committee at the University of Hawaii at Hilo invites the entire community to join in the celebration of “Fashion, Arts and Beauty of the Regions of Philippines,” a monthlong tribute to Filipino culture and contributions to Hawaii history.
The Filipino-American Heritage Month organizing committee at the University of Hawaii at Hilo invites the entire community to join in the celebration of “Fashion, Arts and Beauty of the Regions of Philippines,” a monthlong tribute to Filipino culture and contributions to Hawaii history.
“It has been months in the making and a wide array of exciting activities will be open to the public to participate and enjoy,” said committee and faculty member Norman Q. Arancon.
The observance begins with the traditional Barrio Fiesta starting at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 8 at the UH-Hilo Campus Center Plaza. Simulating the mood of a traditional Filipino fiesta, the celebration is a festive gathering of special guests, administration, politicians, community members, students, faculty and staff who will begin the opening ceremonies in a parade of colorful Filipino costumes and entertainment numbers from special guests.
Traditional Filipino folk games and contests follow, including the famous “balut”-eating contest (unhatched fertilized duck egg). There also will be a first-ever singing competition for high school students performing songs by Filipino artists and a fashion show featuring past and reigning Ms. and Mrs. Hawaii Filipina pageant winners.
The Barrio Fiesta would not be complete without Filipino food for purchase from local vendors. The fiesta culminates with the selection of this year’s Mr. and Ms. Filipino Heritage.
Filipino-American Heritage Month activities are made possible through funding support from the Hawaii County Council through members Valerie Poindexter and Greggor Ilagan, and co-sponsors University of Hawaii at Hilo College of Agriculture, Minority Access and Achievement Program, Philosophy Department and Bayanihan Club, Big Island Filipino Community Council, Congress of Visayan Organizations and Kalani Retreat Center.
For more information, contact Rodney Jubilado at rodneycj@hawaii.edu or Arancon at normanq@hawaii.edu.
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Filipino-American Heritage Month
Here is a snapshot of the events of the monthlong celebration of the Filipino-American Heritage at the University of Hawaii at Hilo:
• 3:30-4:45 p.m. Oct. 6, lecture: “1946 Labor Strikes in Hawaii” by Romel de la Cruz, Campus Center 301.
• 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Oct. 8, Barrio Fiesta, UH-Hilo Campus Center Plaza.
• 12:30-2:30 p.m. Oct. 13, academic workshop: “Decolonizing Filipino Food” with Aileen Suzara, Student Services Center W-201.
• 4-6 p.m. Oct. 14, community workshop: “Decolonizing Filipino Food” with Aileen Suzara, Student Services Center W-201.
• 5:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 19, film showing: “Harana,” Science and Technology Building 108
• 5 p.m. Oct. 25, “Pin@y Cultural Night,” Hale Kehau turnaround, UH-Hilo dorms.