It has been more than eleven years since I was invited to emcee and be part of the FIESTA MO SA USA (FMSU) now on its 16th year, by Riza Abadia and Fernando Solis, who are the organizers of the event on behalf of the hardworking members and officers of the FILAM Movement, Inc., a non-profit Filipino organization based in Orlando/Kissimmee area in Central Florida.
The fiesta, which has been in partnership with TFC (The Filipino Channel), ABS/CBN Global, ABS/CBN Foundation International, and MYX, since the beginning, was organized to promote the Philippine culture, traditions, food, talents, and most of all, beauty, highlighted into an exciting and fabulous pageantry to raise funds for the BANTAY BATA 163, a charity organization back in the Philippines.
A year in advance, all the officers and members of the FILAM Movement, Inc. start planning with the leadership of Riza Abadia and Fernando Solis, who have been the backbone of the event since its inception. Kids, which they title as “Princess,” boys which they title as “Princes,” teenagers as “Teens,” young adult as “Miss,” married mothers as “Mrs.” husbands and wives as “Mr. & Mrs.,” and of course not to forget, the grandmas and the “Queens,” are recruited to join the event, into one spectacular pageantry of beauty, grace, and breathtaking outfits. All participants are also asked to help raise funds for Bantay Bata 163. The person who raises the most funds in each category will receive recognition as Miss Foundation, Mrs., Princess, Prince, or Mr. and Mrs. Still, once the pageantry is presented to the distinguished panel of judges, it becomes serious business, as the participants are awarded “Best in Gown,” “Best in Runway,” “Best National Costume,” “Best in Swimsuit,” “Best in Cocktail Wear,” “Cutest,” just to mention a few. Year after year, the FILAM Movement sends thousands of dollars to Bantay Bata, raised from the fiesta by all these excited and beautiful participants to support the welfare of children in the Philippines.
Bantay Bata 163, which means “Child Watch 163,” is a social welfare program of ABS-CBN Foundation. Launched in 1997, it aims to protect disadvantaged and at-risk children through a nationwide network of social services. Among these services is the national emergency hotline, ‘163’, which allows people to call in and report incidents of child abuse, exploitation, and neglect. (Wikipedia)
If you haven’t been to this event, which took place last Saturday, August 2nd, 2025, consider attending next year. FMSU usually takes place on the first weekend of August, at the Osceola Heritage Park located at 1875 Silver Spur Lane, Kissimmee, Florida 34744. The event is open to the public and does not charge any entrance fee. This year, 15 food vendors were selling a variety of Philippine cuisine, bakery goods, and “kakanin.” There were also 34 exhibitors and merchandise vendors. The event usually starts at 10 am and finishes around 9 pm, featuring non-stop entertainment from singers, folk artists, and K-pop dancers. The pageantry begins officially at 1 pm and continues to 9 pm. The event opens with speeches from Fernando Solis, AFI Representative Alma Magsimbol, and the honorable Jackie Espinosa, Mayor of Kissimmee, Florida.
Popular Filipino celebrities in movies and television also perform as one of the highlights of the event. Several emcees are taking turns the whole day, including the ever-so-popular Emil Cruz, Tara, Liza Laurente, Olivia Dolor Dyer, and I, to help us survive the long day. This year’s big-name celebrities were actor Kyle Echarri, Season 26 The Voice Winner, Sofronio Vasquez, and David Pomeranz. A surprise appearance also from sax player and singer, Phillip Mahoney, and “Juna.” Local performers were the DANCING DIVAS, the FMSU SPICE DANCERS, the Philippine Performing Arts Company, the Musikong Kawayan-Bamboo Orchestra conducted by Nhick Ramiro-Pacis, and FSA.
But the main highlight of the event is the presentation of the “Miss” category participants, as they are beautifully presented just like in a beauty pageant. This portion is also called the Miss Philippine-Earth Florida, wherein the winner is sent to the Philippines the following year to compete with the Miss Philippines Earth Pageant held in August, representing Florida. If she wins the Philippine title, she will compete with more than 75 countries for the crown of Miss Earth International. In this portion, the contestants are presented first in their national costumes, then in cocktail dresses, swimsuits, and finally in evening gowns, with the final question and answer.
I want to congratulate Riza, Fernando, and all the hardworking team from the FILAM Movement, Inc., for without them, this event would not have been possible. Another successful year, CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Photos courtesy of: Ariel Sinco Photography and Jojo Flores Photos
 now on its 16th year, by Riza Abadia and Fernando Solis, who are the organizers of the event on behalf of the hardworking members and officers of the FILAM Movement, Inc., a non-profit Filipino organization based in Orlando/Kissimmee area in Central Florida.){kind=link}