A virtual Filipino festival is celebrating Fil-Am arts and culture to mark Filipino-American History Month in a 3-day affair this October.
The Association for the Advancement of Filipino American Arts and Culture (FilAm ARTS) announced the return of its popular Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC), the longest-running Filipino cultural celebration in Southern California.
FPAC 2020 will take place virtually October 23, 24, and 25 from 7 – 10 PM, streaming on multiple platforms: Facebook Live, YouTube, the filamartsla.org website, and the Kumu App.
After a two year hiatus, FPAC returns with an impressive lineup of Filipino American artists in the following disciplines: Musika (Music), Literatura (Literature), Sayaw (Dance), Philippine Martial Arts, Pelikula (Film), Komedya (Comedy), Literatura (Literature), Kulinarya (Culinary), Teatro (Theatre), Tradisyonal (Traditional Dance) and Bisual (Visual Arts).
The following notable artists have confirmed their participation in this year’s virtual experience: musicians Apl.de.Ap, Ruby Ibarra, Klassy, Jocelyn Enriquez, and actors Jonjon Briones (Ratched), Isa Briones (Picard), Nico Santos (Superstore/Crazy Rich Asians), Alain Uy (Helstrom on Hulu), standup comedians Rex Navarrete and JR de Guzman, choreographer Phil Tayag (Jabbawockeez) and more.
“We’re humbled to have our community celebrate its tradition once again and this year’s theme, ‘Tuloy Po Kayo’ (‘Welcome! Please come in.’) couldn’t be more apropos given the unique times we’re in.” said Winston F. Emano, FilAm ARTS Board Director.
“Some may recall that the first-ever FPAC in 1992 also came after a period of much uncertainty and over a quarter of a century later, its return is a wonderful reminder to us all of the power of arts to heal and of our culture to affirm. It’s good to be back!”
Premiering a week after the Los Angeles riots in 1992, FPAC has presented countless artists in a multitude of disciplines to multigenerational audiences nearing an estimated half-million attendees over the course of 26 consecutive years. But, this year marks its first as a virtual presentation.
“We’re excited to debut FPAC on a first-ever virtual stage but, in festival tradition, we continue to spotlight a strong lineup of Filipino and Filipino American multidisciplinary artists,” said Giselle Tongi-Walters, FilAm ARTS Programming Director.
“The hard work, long hours and dedication put in by the production team — helmed by award-winning filmmaker, Charles Uy — and our amazingly passionate Festival Builders alike has been nothing short of
community-strengthening and inspiring and we are certain that our artists will provide equal inspiration through their art and performances.”
“It’s a blessing in disguise presenting FPAC virtually this year. When FPAC was presented on physical stages, only people here on the West Coast were able to attend the event. We now get to exhibit and discover the artists in a more personal setting through our live streams to a global audience,” shares Charles Uy, FPAC 2020 Festival Technical Director.
“When growing up in Queens, NY, I always wondered what it meant to be Filipino-American. With FPAC, we get to define who we are through sharing to the world our art and culture.”
The 27th Annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC) officially kicks off Filipino American History Month with a visual arts group exhibition on artsteps.com The exhibit features works by Bren Bataclan, Gigi Bio, Mic Dino Boekelmann, Lek Vercauteren Borja, Alex J. Cabalu, Pia Cabanela, champoy, Calvin Coloma, Jolly De Guzman, John DeCastro, Christopher Dimaano, Trinidad Escobar, Nicanor Evangelista, Jr., Jade Hoyer, David Ignacio, Thea Ivens, Jeanine Jalandoni, KarlosAnthony, Lola x Kenneth Collaboration, Marissa Lynn, Matt Manalo, Jessa Mae Mendiola, Michael Rippens, Andrew Rogge, Gloria Elisa Margarita Sanchez, Diyan Valencia, T. Jay Santa Ana and Christopher Angelo Perez Yniguez. The show is curated by Nica Aquino and can be accessed as a virtual gallery at artsteps.com
FPAC 27 culminates in grand fashion over three action-packed days, October 23, 24, and 25 from 7-10 PM on facebook.com/filamartsLA, YouTube and filamartsla.org Follow @filamartsla on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates. Official Hashtag #FPAC2020
Admission is free, but RSVPs are requested. FREE and VIP Tickets are available here.
SEND CHEERS in the comments below to the team behind the Virtual Filipino festival that celebrates Filipino American arts and culture this October.
Want to know how to be a Proud Pinoy? Like, Follow, Subscribe to GoodNewsPilipinas.com, and our socials on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Good News Pilipinas! TV on YouTube, for new story notifications, and e-mail newsletters for updates on more Filipino Pride stories.
