Now in its 26th year and despite of the pandemic scare, PHILFEST 2022 took paced as planned last Aprils 1st, 2nd, and 3rd at the Philippine Enrichment Complex located at 14301 Nine Eagles Road off Racetrack Road with another breaking attendance of more than 11,000 people coming from all over Florida and neighboring states. Thanks to the tremendous help of ASIATREND Magazine who spreads the word out to all Asians all over Florida months before the festival year after year. This year, a group of 26 people from the Bukidnon Association of California and from the Kagayanon of Southern California all the way flew from California, Las Vegas and Texas to experience PhilFest that they have heard about.
Like always, PhilFest offered a variety of Filipino foods, non-stop entertainment, Philippine folk dances, street parades, cultural exhibits, singing and dancing competitions and much more. One American was quoted saying, “Coming to PhilFest is like going to the Philippines without the 21 hours flight and experiencing the Filipino hospitality they are known for.” Special Philippine celebrity this year coming all the way from Manila was very famous Tv and movie personality and actress Miss Yam Conception courtesy of ABS/CBN and The Filipino Channel who have been a major sponsor and partner of PhilFest for many years.
This year, 26 members of the Kagayanon of Southern California headed ex-presidents Rose Omila-Garrido and Norma Lorenzana Navarro, Joe Garrido who is the current Vice President, and Gerlou Gaane wife if of the founder, and the members of Bukidnon Association of California headed by their current president Merle Luminarias. “This is so far the best ever Philippine festival that we have attended. We had so much food and so much fun. No question, we will be back next year,” says Merle Luminarias.
Next year, PhilFest 2023 will take place Friday to Sunday, Match 31st, April 1st and April 2nd 2023. The 3-day festival starts at 5 pm to 11 pm on Friday, March 31st, on Saturday, April 1st from 10 am to 11 pm, and on Sunday, April 2nd from 10 am to 11 pm. Entrance is only $8 per person. Advance discounted tickets are normally available two months at the cost of $6. Last time to buy advance tickets will be one week before the festival. Children 5 years and under enter free. Veteran’s and Servicemen with valid ID always enter free of charge.
“PhilFest” is an annual event organize by the Philippine Cultural Foundation, Inc. (PCFI) a not-for-profit 501c3 cultural foundation whose purpose is to preserve the Philippine culture and traditions for future Filipino American generations to come.
For more information and interested vendors and exhibitors, call (813) 925-1232 or go to the website at www.pcfitampa.org.
Contact person: Joey Omila – Director of Cultural Affairs
Cell: (813) 312-6518 E-mail: [email protected]
PHOTOS BY NHICK RAMIRO-PACIS
