Pistahan draws huge Fil-Am crowd
By Elton Lugay, contributor
INQ7.net

"AMERICAN Idol" Season 2 finalist Jordan Segundo sings to the jampacked crowd at Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco.

OVER 50,000 Filipinos trooped to the 11th annual Pistahan Parade and Festival held August 14 and 15 in San Francisco. Popular teen heartthrobs Jericho Rosales and Kristine Hermosa, fresh from their hit soap opera "Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas" were the big crowd drawers in the event.

"This is the most successful Pistahan celebration over the years," lawyer Rodel Rodis told the crowd, noting the tremendous turnout in this year's festivities. Fans of Philippine television's hit love team did not mind the inclement weather, as they patiently waited for the visiting celebrities to appear on stage. Jericho serenaded his fans with a medley of R&Bs and Tagalog pop songs.

Kristine came out to join Jericho onstage and waved to her fans. Reports say she was unable to get the appropriate working visa and so was unable to perform.

Season 2's "American Idol" finalist Jordan Segundo flew in from Hawaii to join the San Francisco event. He sang mostly light music and shared the stage with singer/actress Rachel Alejandro.

At last Sunday's parade, people feasted their eyes on their favorite stars atop themed floats. Other artists and Filipino government officials rode on convertibles.

Pistahan, produced by the Filipino American Arts Exposition, showcased five major events during the four-day celebration that kicked off on August 12: Art Lane; Pamana Arts Legacy Awards; Sine! Sine! Film Fest; and Pistahan Parade and Festival.

Art Lane featured the works of over 30 outstanding internationally acclaimed visual artists, both from the Philippines and the US, at the City College of San Francisco. The trailblazing event was an art explosion of sorts. This expanded artistic program featured original paintings and sculptures of artists from different backgrounds using diverse art forms.

Another exhibit, "Carriers of Tradition," showcased the traditional woven backpacks of the Philippines. These were proudly displayed at the Hotel Palomar.

Meanwhile, Pamana Arts Legacy bestowed awards to seven distinguished Filipino-Americans in various art fields. Held at the historic Herbst Theatre in San Francisco, the show was written and produced by Gina Dahlen and Joey Tirona and directed by Malu Rivera-Peoples.

The Filipino awards show was evocative of the Oscars and featured the awardees' past and present achievements.

Students from Westlake School for the Performing Arts rendered the best of Filipino traditional and modern dances. The show also featured a powerful production team, including Joey Bough from Bangkok and Jun Gomez from Manila.

FIL-AM community leaders who graced the Pistahan included (from left) Deputy Consul General Jun Cardenas; Marlowe Paraiso; Susan Tayag; Hermana Mayor Jacqui Lingad-Ricci; Pistahan art director Al Perez; Perlie Parmelee of the Philippine Children's Fund of America; Milpitas, California Mayor Jose Esteves; Consul General Ma. Rowena Sanchez; Pistahan executive producer Luz de Leon; City College board member Rodel Rodis; and Consul Ed Malaya.

This year's recipients are: Cecile Azarcon-Inocentes, music; The Barlaan's, family legacy; Virginia Cerenio, literature; Chris Millado, performing arts; Bernardo Pedere, dance; Al Perez, visual arts; and Gil Portes, film.

Sine! Sine! Film Fest showcased three of director Gil Portes' socially conscious works. Shown at the Four Star Theatre in conjunction with the 8th Annual Asian American Film Festival was "Homecoming," "Markova: The Comfort Gay" and "In the Bosom of the Enemy."

This year's parade and festival also featured Filipino culture and tradition through food, entertainment, dance, arts and crafts.

People from all over the US came to Pistahan. Families and friends gathered together at the Yerba Buena Gardens for a weekend picnic. Food booths providing authentic Filipino cuisine, delicacies and desserts were scattered at the festival grounds. Lechon, dinuguan, lumpiang shanghai, bibingka and halo-halo were among the popular choices. Other vendor booths sold Filipino merchandise including accessories, T-shirts and bags.

The two-day festival had three live entertainment venues: main stage, youth stage, and VIP reception at the garden's terrace. Some of the featured artists were the University of Santo Tomas Choir from Manila; Philippine Rondalla, Chicago; Miriam Pantig; Ginoong Pilipinas-USA Getty Santos; Miss Teen Filipina Malaya Concepcion; The Love Team -- Greg and Carlen; Hi-Fly; Next Phaze; The Ladies of Library; and Freestyle Franco of Radio Disney.

Among the community leaders who graced the post-parade ceremonies were Milpitas, California Mayor Jose Esteves, Consul General Maria Rowena Sanchez and Supervisor Myrna Lim. Fiona Ma and Marlowe Paraiso represented San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and presented certificates of honor to FAEE; Pistahan Hermana Mayor Jacqui Lingad Ricci; founding chairperson Luz de Leon; and members Cota Yabut, Al Perez, Arnel Vivar, Cris Gosalves and Cyril Sola.