The 15th Annual
Festival of Philippine
Arts & Culture

Sept. 9-10, 2006
Pt Fermin Park
San Pedro, CA

10am to 6pm
$3 Admission or
$5 for a 2-Day Pass

FPAC is sponsored by

ABOUT FPAC

The Festival of Philippine Arts & Culture

FPAC History

Historians, academics, scholars, perhaps would-be contestants for “Jeopardy” and the like, cite documented proof of a genuine Filipino presence in Los Angeles well into the Spanish colonial period. Several centuries later in the 1920’s, a burgeoning “Filipino Town” settlement served as a commercial and residential center in the shadow of an expanding modern downtown skyline. Decades later that area is now officially dubbed “Historic.”

So on the surface, 15 years of an event may seem rather insignificant balanced alongside the long—100 years this year, officially— history of Filipinos in America and the even-longer history of the Filipino people. However, to a community as underserved, underrepresented, undercounted and - dare we say still? - underunified, the 15th Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture is as welcoming as a serving of refreshingly cool buko juice on a steamy, fiery day. To a people devoid of genuine, community-wide traditions, a decade and half of FPAC is a veritable eternity, serving both as an introduction and as a continuum.

The Filipino gift for accelerated assimilation notwithstanding, FPAC annually presents a bounty of our rich, diverse, and little-known culture and displays the world-class talent - both collective and individual - of our artistry that constantly satiates the hunger for questions: Who are we and what is it that makes us unique?

Showcase? Sure but, certainly, more than just. Legacy and tradition? Our place? Sa Atin’to? Herewith, the documented proof.

Besides, what Filipino can resist a really good party?

— WINSTON F. EMANO

FilAm ARTS traces its roots to the production of the Annual Festival of Philippine Arts & Culture (FPAC) first conceptualized in 1990 as part of the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department’s Festivals Program, an arts program designed to address the multicultural constituency of the city.

Organized by about 100 artists and community leaders, the first FPAC took place at Los Angeles City College on Mother’s Day, May 14, 1992, where 3,000 participants braved the aftermath of the L.A. riots that occurred the week before. Since then, FPAC has only grown stronger and bigger, moving to Cabrillo Beach in 1994, then finally to its current location, Pt. Fermin Park, in the historic district of San Pedro in 2001.

Today, FPAC is the largest presenter of Philippine arts and culture in Southern California presenting over 1200 artists in 9 disciplines and attracting over 20,000 audience members from all over the country. Yet, after 15 years, FPAC is still a grassroots and community-led effort,produced by a core group of 50 volunteer professionals, in collaboration with 50 community-based and civic organizations, and involving over 300 volunteers.

Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture Timeline

1991 - Filipino American artists, young professionals, students and community volunteers organize with representatives from Los Angeles City Cultural affairs Department to discuss the creation of a Filipino cultural festival for purposes of showcasing little-known and little-seen Filipino arts and culture.

1992 - After a year of planning more than 60 arts organizations and individual artists present the Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture on Saturday, May 9, 1992 at Los Angeles City College. Despite the fact that the event is staged just days after citywide riots, attendance is healthy.The distinctive festival logo, incorporating cultural-specific design styles, is created by Faustino Caigoy. From the onset, FPAC is a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary presenter of Filipino American Arts and Culture with traditional and contemporary music, dancing, literary readings, Children’s activities and film presentations.

1993 - Ugat Pilipino: Filipino Roots

• Visual Arts exhibit at Los Angeles City Hall stirs controversy and charges of censorship by participating artists who defiantly choose to take art down rather than have it censored.Widespread media attention forces officials to plead with artists to place art back up.

• Historical, one of a kind tribute to Grandmasters of the Filipino Martial Arts is presented at City Hall Rotunda dinner banquet before an overflow crowd of invitees. Simple ceremony of recognition becomes three-hour display of highly-skilled martial artistry.

• Festival continues at LACC with increased attendance.

1994 - A Collective Voice Bowing to community support and demand, the festival evolves from a single day event and expands to produce a season of programming including the premiere American concert by famed Filipino folk/rock artist Joey Ayala at Ang Bagong Lumad at the Los Angeles Theater Center.The season concludes with a 2-day Festival Weekend in its new home at Cabrillo Beach, San Pedro early September.

1995 - Ang Pagmumulat - Awakening

• Singer Jocelyn Enriquez, Billboards #1 Dance music artist, makes her Festival Debut.

• FPAC presents classes on various artistic and cultural disciplines: Ifugao music and dance, Pangasinan dance and Rondalla.

• Sold-out concert by University of Philippines Kasirinlan chorale group.

1996 - Ang Pagsilang: The Birth

• FPAC becomes part of acclaimed Summer Nights at the Ford Series with presentation of “La Revolucion Filipina” by world renowned Ballet Philippines at the Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood Hills.

• Attendance increases at two-day September event.

1997 - Tungo sa Liwanag - Towards the Light.

• Summer Nights at the Ford continues with theatrical presentation of “Tungo sa Liwanag - Towards the Light” an original piece by Rico Obusan featuring BIBAK Dance Ensemble, Kayamanan ng Lahi and Kultura Philippine Folk Arts.

• Billboard-charting Filipino American pop groups Pinay, Moonpools & Caterpillars and Premier and jazz saxophonist Dean James make their FPAC Debuts.Attendance reaches an all-time high.

1998 - Kalayaan - Freedom

• FPAC produces “Landas ng Kalayaan - the Road to Freedom” at West Covina’s Philippine Independence Day Celebration.

• Summer Nights at the Ford continues for a third year with a “Celebration of Philippine Jazz” highlighted with performances by contemporary jazz artist Michael Paulo and his father, jazz pianist Rene and legendary Blues singer Sugar Pie DeSanto.

• Puentes Culturales - Cultural Bridges - Folk Music and Dance of Philippines and Mexico draws critical and civic raves for its intercultural presentation.

• Geffen recording artists Kai, comedian Rex Navarrete and pop band Julie Plug make their respective FPAC Debuts.

• Attendance tops previous year’s high.

1999 - Kaugnay - Interconnected

• FPAC Balagtasan Poetry Slam Premieres

• V2 recording artist Billy Crawford, performance group Tongue in a Mood and Filipino reggae band Native Elements make their FPAC debuts.

• Actor Paolo Montalban of “Cinderella” appears as a guest.

2000 - Agkakabsat tayo Amin - We are Brothers and Sisters

• Association for the Advancement of Filipino American Arts and Culture (Fil-Am ARTS) is incorporated.

• 2nd Annual Poetry Slam.

• Seniors’ Village makes its premiere at FPAC and hosts Ballroom Dancing and the inaugural Filipino Vegetable Competition.

• Pinoyvisions - FPAC’s Film Fest expands to include shop talk and screenings at the Lucas Screening Room at the University of Southern California. Director Raymond Red, fresh from Cannes, screens his Palme d’Or award-winning short “ANINO.”

2001 - Sampung Taon / Sangapulo Taoen / Napulo Ka Tuig - Celebrating 10 Years Having outgrown Cabrillo Beach, the Festival moves to the larger Cliffside Point Fermin in San Pedro. Expanded programs feature:

• Latin soul legend Joe Bataan in a historic first appearance

• Popular R&B singer Saison

• 3rd Annual Poetry Slam

• Celebrity emcees Anjanette Abayari and Janelle Bautista

• Filipino Vegetable Competition and Filipino Farmers Market

• Daanan: Passages - Literary Reading

• Youth Pavilion - presents interactive and educational workshops and activities for children and youth.

• Ati-Atihan, a Filipino street parade form the Aklan province of the Philippines returns to the Festival.

• Higante - a celebration with large paper mache puppets makes it FPAC Debut.

• Mask making and Moriones costumes from the Marinduque region.

• FilAm ARTS selected by the California Arts Council and its Filipino grantees to lead a statewide capacity-building initiative - the PILIPINO ARTISTS NETWORK.

2002 - Pagdadalang-Sining - Nurturing the Arts FPAC goes statewide - as a direct result of PAN, more artists from all over the state performed at FPAC. Expanded programs include:

• Literary Program including Finding Home monthly reading series at the Filipino American Library; and the FPAC Literary Chapbook.

• 1st Pilipino Artists Network Pavilion gave space to visual artists to interact with Festival audiences.

• 1st Amateur DJ Battle. FilAm ARTS presents “An Evening with Alec Mapa” at LATC.

• The Pilipino Artists Network gets funded by The Ford Foundation.

• PAN becomes premiere advocates for Filipino American arts and culture in the state.

• PAN becomes one of the founding networks of the CA Cultural Alliance, a coalition of statewide networks advocating for multicultural arts.

2003 - HARMONY

• Latin Soul legend Joe Bataan returns and once again headlines FPAC.

• Multi-talented artist Rachel Alejandro headlines and becomes the festival’s highestprofile star from The Philippines.

• The 1st Culinary Arts Corner features chefs from some of LA’s finest, high profile restaurants . . . who happen to be Pinoy. Filipino cuisine receives its long-awaited spotlight.

• Ati-Atihan returns to FPAC in the Youth Pavilion.

• Pinoyvisions expands to 6 programs:

• Pinoy Online Visions

• Pinoyvisions at VC

• Pinoyvisions at USC

• Pinoyvisions at FPAC

• Special Twilight Outdoor Screening in partnership with IFP Project Involve:”An Untold Triumph:The Storyof the 1st & 2nd Filipino Infantry Regiments, U.S.Army.”

2004 - Kapwa-Tao - Shared Being

• Community Partnerships become formalized.

• Comedian Rex Navarrete headlines.

• Youth Pavilion expands to include FilAm ARTS 3rd public program Eskuwela Kultura.

• 1st Hip Hop Shakedown Exhibition

• Mayor James Hahn graces the Festival.

• FilAm ARTS presents Filipina Austrian pianist Aima Labra-Makk in a private concert.

• FilAm ARTS hosts the closing night of Jessica Hagedorn’s “Dogeaters” at SIPA.

• FPAC / FilAm ARTS goes full circle with the City Hall Exhibit “Banners & Kites of Asia” a PAN production as part of the LA Asian Pacific Heritage Month.

2005 - Come Home...Tahanan / Pagyanan

• The return of the Culinary Arts Corner in full force.

• Honoring the passing of visual artist and PAN facilitator Papo De Asis.

• 1st Latino Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa graces FPAC.

• Headliner Rex Navarrete is joined by Dessa, Fe De Los Reyes,Antoinette Taus, Harlemm Lee, Native Guns and Introvoys.

• FPAC presents 1,200 multi-disciplinary artists.

• 3rd Annual Literary Festival.

• FilAm ARTS inaugurates 1st PAN Art Walk in Historic Filipinotown.

• EK Youth Pavilion expands to include music, dance workshops, and youth performances on stage.

• 1st PAN Live Mural with 6 murals produced by Filipino American visual artists.

• Expanding virtual presence - FilAm ARTS launches new website garnering 300,000 hits a month.

2006 - Diwang Sumisikat - Spirit Rising

• FilAm ARTS becomes part of the L.A. Centennial Committee for the Smithsonian Institution’s 100 year commemoration of Filipino American Migration.

• 2nd Annual PAN Art Walk in Historic Filipinotown included art exhibits in Tribal Café, Remy’s On Temple, and the Lotus Festival.

• FilAm ARTS hosts “An Evening of Chants and Conversations With Grace Nono,” —the multi-lauded world music performer.

ARTIST FINDER
all Artists by Name ABALOS PROS ABRAKADABRA APARTMENT 92 BERNARDO BERNARDO BIBAK BUHAY NA KASAYSAYAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY CARSON SENIOR DANCE TROUPE CHARMAINE CLAMOR THE COMMITTEE DIRTY BANDITS ELEMENTS OF THE OUTER REALM FAR*OUT FLORANTE LEILA FLORENTINO JOEY GUILA IBU IMB ACADEMY GOLDA INQUITO INVID J E S S O N KAPISANANG MANDIRIGMA LIL KEESHA MARJORIE LIGHT LINEAGE MARLON D MINUS MPG PROJECT NATIVE GUNS REX NAVARRETE NEXT PHAZE OFFVIBE GIOVANNI ORTEGA PAC MODERN PAKAMUT PAKARAGUIAN KULINTANG ENSEMBLE THE PHILISTINES P.O.P. STEPHANIE REESE RONDALLA CLUB OF LOS ANGELES ROOM TO IMPROV SILVERLAKE ADULT DAY HEALTH CARE CENTER FREDA SIMONE SINING KABAYOKA STELLA’S NOTCH SUN DOOMINAL TINIG MALOU TOLER ANGELO TRINIDAD TURTLE CLUB UNDECLARED VANTAGE POINT CAMILE VELASCO TONY VIANO THE VISIONARIES ZOO HERO by headliners only REX NAVARRETE THE VISIONARIES NATIVE GUNS JOEY GUILA CHARMAINE CLAMOR CAMILE VELASCO BERNARDO BERNARDO FLORANTE performing on MainStage ABALOS PROS ABRAKADABRA BERNARDO BERNARDO BIBAK BUHAY NA KASAYSAYAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY CARSON SENIOR DANCE TROUPE CHARMAINE CLAMOR ELEMENTS OF THE OUTER REALM FLORANTE LEILA FLORENTINO JOEY GUILA IBU IMB ACADEMY INVID J E S S O N KAPISANANG MANDIRIGMA LIL KEESHA NATIVE GUNS REX NAVARRETE NEXT PHAZE PAKARAGUIAN KULINTANG ENSEMBLE STEPHANIE REESE RONDALLA CLUB OF LOS ANGELES FREDA SIMONE SINING KABAYOKA TINIG CAMILE VELASCO THE VISIONARIES performing on GenStage APARTMENT 92 THE COMMITTEE DIRTY BANDITS FAR*OUT GOLDA INQUITO MARJORIE LIGHT LINEAGE MARLON D MINUS MPG PROJECT OFFVIBE GIOVANNI ORTEGA PAC MODERN PAKAMUT THE PHILISTINES P.O.P. ROOM TO IMPROV SILVERLAKE ADULT DAY HEALTH CARE CENTER STELLA’S NOTCH SUN DOOMINAL MALOU TOLER ANGELO TRINIDAD TURTLE CLUB UNDECLARED VANTAGE POINT TONY VIANO ZOO HERO FPAC SCHEDULE
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