PHILIPPINE TRADITION ALIVE IN TAMPA, FLORIDA

 

The Philippine tradition is indeed very much alive in Tampa, Florida.

This year’s annual “BARRIO FIESTA AND GRAND SANTACRUZAN,” hosted and organized by the PILIPINO-AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF TAMPA (PAAT), was another successful event that took place at the Bayanihan Arts and Events Center in Tampa, Florida. Now in its 47th year, this annual event has undoubtedly continued to promote one of the Philippines’ most popular celebrations, the Fiesta and Santacruzan.

More than five hundred people attended the colorful event, each donating $5. Food vendors from the Filipiniana CAFE and Grill & Roll provided the best of the best in Philippine cuisine. There were also ample “kakanin” (delicacies) and bakery goods vendors like Yumpsty’s, Namnam, Kain Tayo, Mama J’s, and Sweet Label, who provided the hungry attendees a variety of delicious rice cakes, baked goods, and Philippine fruit-flavored ice cream, like Ube, Mango, Macapuno, and more. There was also Mary Chris Dean, a realtor from Keller Williams, who assisted and promoted their well-known, friendly, and exceptional service when it comes to looking for a new home; “Dulce Sweet” doing face painting; “Sandy’s Corner Garden,” with Mama Sandy who has been a green thumb gardener for more than fourty years, selling the most bautiful and healthy green pants for a fracture of its regular price if sold elsewhere; RIMAN skin care from Korean was also present demonstrating some woinder prouducts for men and ladies; Paparzzi Jewelry who were selling fashion jewelry; Gwen Pelais, a dedicated agent from the Senior Medical Center, who was promoting their services for seniors in need of guidance in their golden years; “Terno Tops” by Abby, and lastly Joey’s Boutique selling high class Heidi Daus fashions jewelry with 90% off from regular retail prices.

This year’s chairman of the PAAT Barrio Fiesta and Grand Santacruzan was Lynn Canent-Togado. She was assisted by hardworking PAAT officers and board members who helped make the event a great success. Entertainment was provided by the Philippine Choral Group, who sang the US and Philippine anthems beautifully and presented a vivacious and enjoyable choreographed number, conducted by Connie Chanrasmi. The Musikoming Kawayan Bamboo Ensemble, conducted by Nhick Ramiro-Pacis, played melodic popular music with bamboo instruments. There were also fabulous singers like Raffy Bleu and Ina James, and Philippine folk dances from the Philippine Performing Arts Company and Indak Pambata children’s group. Modern dances by the DANCING DIVAS of Ava Care, the Forging Movement from USF, and the praiseworthy dance by members of the Youth for Christ, choreographed by Marianalyn Canent-Togado, who, with Raffy Bleu, were this year’s emcees for the grand Santacruzan. There were also members of the Youth for Christ orchestra who played live the traditional Sabtacruzaon song, “Dios de Salve Maria” with the community singing led by an excellent eight-year-old soloist, Urich Keovilay. Aside from all this entertainment, there were also lots of fun and games for kids and adults, and free door prizes all afternoon with fabulous prizes donated by officers of the organization and by acting PAAT President Allan Domagas in the absence of PAAT President Kristina Biglete, who has now moved to New York, and has been a great mover and financial supporter of the organization.

But aside from all the food and entertainment to enjoy, the main highlight of the event was the grand Santacruzan with more than thirty-one “Sagala” (Muses), and titled Queens from different Florida cities and organizations who processioned in their most spectacular gowns, sashes, and Santacruzan titles. This year’s main queen or REYNA ELENA was none other than one of the daughters of Ramon and Lottie Jahrling, MISS KARINA JAHRLING, carrying a bejeweled crucifix, dressed in a spectacular, colorful Filipiniana gown. Outfit and crucifix all done and made by Mom Lottie Jahrling.

What is a Philippine “Fiesta?” Philippine fiestas are as real as life itself to Filipinos. It’s a community celebration of triumphs and a recollection of epic struggles. Philippine fiestas help Filipinos hope for a bright future, a stable present, and a well-learned past. Philippine fiestas have also been “balik-bayan” incentives, or come-ons for expatriates, to visit or come back for good to the municipalities or cities celebrating them. Since pre-Hispanic times, Filipinos have been known to live in other countries. Later, they ventured to farther places like the US and Europe. Philippine fiestas lure them back to reminisce about old times, and are also celebrated in the community as overseas “heroes.” Philippine fiestas are as many as there are sitios (districts), barangays, cities, and provinces in the Philippines. And they’re here to stay, helping Filipinos look to the future as they stake out their present while reminiscing.

Santacruzan is a Filipino tradition that combines Catholic devotion and cultural pageantry, celebrated during May, known as Flores de Mayo. It honors the Virgin Mary and the finding of the True Cross festivities, which began in the mid-1800s, have evolved into a vibrant celebration of faith and community spirit. Following the start of Tampa’s three-day festival “PhilFest” in April, PAAT, formerly celebrated in Tampa in May, decided to move their annual Barrio Fiesta and Grand Santacruzan to August.

No question that when it comes to promoting and preserving the Filipino cultures and traditions in the United States, the Filipino community of Tampa Bay is at the top of the list, and the Filipino American Association of Tampa is to be commended.

MABUHAY TO PAAT FOR ANOTHER FABULOUS AND WELL ATTENDED BARRIO FIESTA AND SANTACRUZAN!

(Photos courtesy of ARIEL SINCO PHOTOGRAPHY and JOJO FLORES)