The Filipino Community (FilCom) Center is gearing up for its annual May fest, and this year it’s a weeklong celebration, Flores De Mayo (Flowers of May), running from May 5 to 11 with various events.<\/p>\n
The fiesta began 21 years ago as a way to garner support for the building of the FilCom Center, a nonprofit organization that provides cultural, social and educational services from its Waipahu location.<\/p>\n
The celebration now is the state’s largest showcase of Filipino culture and attracts thousands of attendees each year.<\/p>\n
The Filipino Fiesta and Parade will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 11 at Kapiolani Park and will feature a parade along Kalakaua Avenue, Filipino food, games, cultural exhibits and more.<\/p>\n
Also added to the celebration this year will be a Santacruzan Pageant and Parade May 5 and a Philippine Trade Forum and Expo May 7, which will feature networking opportunities and showcase products and services from the Philippines. All events are free.<\/p>\n
FilCom Center currently is seeking vendors to participate in the parade, trade expo and fiesta.<\/p>\n
“May is the traditional fiesta month in the Philippines, when towns celebrate with colorful festivities to ensure a successful harvest and planting season, as well as honor their patron saints,” said FilCom president Rose Churma.<\/p>\n
“With our community partners, we hope to share our culture and traditions, as well as offer opportunities for doing business in the Philippines, which is now experiencing more than 6 to 7 percent growth.<\/p>\n
“We’re excited to grow what has become known as Hawaii’s largest Filipino gathering,” she stated.<\/p>\n
“This helps expand our outreach and our center’s mission – to promote and perpetuate Filipino culture and customs in the state of Hawaii and beyond.”<\/p>\n