Hundreds of Filipino Americans and guests are expected to converge on May 28, 2011, Saturday, for the "2011 PISTA PILIPINO” (formerly BARRIO FIESTA) which is the Annual Celebration of Filipino American Heritage in Pierce County at the Sharon McGavick Conference Center at Clover Park Technical College, 4500 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood, WA 98499. As the main cultural attraction every year of the Filipino American community in the Greater Tacoma Area, this exciting event, also dubbed "PISTA PILIPINO", is being held as part of the statewide celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and as the principal vehicle to implement one of FCA's objectives which is to help promote and preserve the Filipino American heritage. The event will be an all-day affair. The daytime portion, from 11 am to 4 pm, will feature an essay writing contest, trade show, and cultural entertainment. Prominent Filipino American cultural groups, entertainers, and artists in the Puget Sound Area have been invited to showcase their talents. Local Filipino American, Asian American, and other area businesses are also invited to display and promote their services and wares. Area Filipino American educators and business leaders have been invited to give presentations on the following topics:
- FILIPINO AMERICAN HERITAGE IN PIERCE COUNTY
- PURSUING THE AMERICAN DREAM
The evening part, from 6 pm to midnight, will highlight a formal dinner and dance to benefit a modern Philippine Cultural & Events Center that community leaders and groups within the alliance have envisioned to have in Pierce County in the near future. About 400 Filipino American community and business leaders as well as some political and military leaders in the state are expected to attend. Members of other Asian and Pacific Islander American communities have also been invited to attend. MARIA ARCEGA-DUNN, Q13 Fox Evening News Anchor, is returning to emcee the evening event. Singing sensation TIMMY PAVINO, FILHARMONY, and THE FILIPINO YOUTH ACTIVITIES DRILL TEAM have been invited to perform.
