The undiminished manifestations of the Filipinos’ intellectual achievements and unprecedented global status has consistently been the boosting power in their unsurpassed competence to uphold and commemorate habituated century-old tradition even across the miles and seas. That despite the unrelenting growth, development, evolution, social modernization, and new edifying adjustment, the innate cultural dynamics they brought along with them had defied all these changes. They persistently and firmly embrace the culture and tradition they were born and grew-up with…especially the annual observance of a grand festivity which is the fiesta.
Here in the east coast, the biggest Filipino multicultural summer indoor event is the Philippine Fiesta now more popularly dubbed as Fiesta in America. On August 13 and 14, the most touted annual festival turns eighteen with much improved physical set-up, much diverse socio-economic programming, expanded trade and tourism pavilion, a wider variety of fun activities for all ages, increased volume of exhibitors, more extensive choices of home-cooked native and sumptuous regional delicacies, extra exhilarating entertainment, and a boosted projection of annual visitors.
Since its inception in 1998, Fiesta in America has consistently established its unmatched standing in bringing to the fore nothing but only the best in entertainment, business potentials and transactions, and inter-social interactions. The possibilities are seemingly limitless with the wide array of prospective opportunities the Fiesta enormously offers. Through its strappingly established reputable tradition the annual event has been customary and a saved date to take pleasure in.
“This year’s theme of the Expo’s 18th anniversary refers to various life components that contribute to a person’s well-being. Major US brands have committed to make a thematic presentation during the two-day weekend event, on Saturday and Sunday, August 13 and 14, respectively, at the Meadowland Expo Center in Secaucus, New Jersey,” Nanding Mendez, President and CEO of Fiesta in America, enthusiastically announced while indefatigably distributing flyers and Fiesta’s Special Edition Press digital publication.
“Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey will promote fitness practices and healthcare management then AARP will highlight real possibilities for the 50+ population, while Goya Foods, Inc. will hold a cooking show. The Hackensack University Medical Center will educate consumers on how to address the challenging issues of physical and mental well-being,” Nanding elaborates.
Every town fiesta back home won’t be complete without the selection and crowning of a fiesta queen and one among the must-see highlights of the 18th Fiesta Consumer Expo and Cultural Show will be the Grand Pilipinas Fiesta Pageant where four titles are at stake: Fiesta Princess West Coast 2016 (3rdRunner-up), Fiesta Princess East Coast 2016 (2nd. Runner-up), Fiesta Princess America 2016 (First Runner-up), and Grand Filipinas Fiesta Princess 2016 (winner).
“The Pre-pageant is slated on Saturday, August 13 from 2 PM to 5 PM and the coronation ceremonies are scheduled the following day, Sunday, August 14. Aside from the major titles special awards will be given to Miss Congeniality, Miss Talent, Miss Photogenic, Best in Swimsuit, and Best in Evening Gown,” thus uttered Tet Palencia, Search for Grand Pilipinas Fiesta Queen Chair.
As of press time, the four finalists who emerged triumphant after a tedious screening process and lined-up to compete in the semi-final round are:
Finalist # 1- Dominique “Nikkei” Flores, 19, a McNair Academic 2015 graduate from Jersey City who is currently a Rutgers School of Nursing sophomore. A Dean’s lister and Vice-President and Secretary of the Nursing Class Council, Nikkei is a Community Outreach Committee Member for RUSON and a newly crossed Alpha Phi Omega –Delta Rho brother.
Finalist # 2- Melissa Pianin, 22, from Ozone Park, New Jersey, is a Culinary Institute of America graduate where she mastered the art of baking and pastry and applied food studies. Currently the Head Baker of Bella’s Home-baked Goods, she dreams of creating an educational platform to teach others about food system and sustainable living.
Finalist # 3 – Tiffany Lyn, 16, and a student at Mother Seton Regional High School where she’s active in track and field and bowling sports, and has been affiliated with various school clubs. Outside academics and athletics, her interests include the art, cosmetology, and social media. Tiffany is leaning towards business courses once done with secondary studies.
Finalist # 4 – Alyssa Jade Shoemaker – 15, an up-and-coming singing sensation who has sung the national anthems for the Brooklyn Nets games and the US Open Championship. An effervescent recruit as one of the lead vocalists of a popular event and wedding band, Relm, Alyssa is recently nominated by Papermill Playhouse for the Rising Star Awards for her effectual role as Eponine in Les Miserables.
Fiesta-goers always await for the main features of the event— the personal appearance and performance of their celebrity idols… and if there’s but one authoritative person to shed light on this matter, that would be Ogie Afable, Fiesta in America’s Cultural and Entertainment head.
“Like in the past years where the cultural and entertainment segments of the Fiesta were graced by popular movie luminaries and entertainers from the Philippines, this year’s celebrity guests are ABS-CBN heartthrobs Paulo Avelino (dubbed as Teleserye Prince), and Julia Montes (hailed as the Royal Princess of Drama), plus a bevy of fast-rising young Filipino and Latino performers from the tri-state area, award-winning Asian dance troupes, and tons of fun and surprises,” Ogie explains.
Incidentally, prior to the much-awaited two-day indoor Fiesta episode at Meadowlands Expo Center, a grandiose prelude is all set to fire-up Fiesta in America’s annual celebration… none other than the cream of the social gala, the People’s Ball, now on its 8th year. The grand occasion that commenced with the state dance, Rigodon de Honor, has yearly adapted interesting themes and color motifs.
For the 8th instance, the People’s Ball is turning nostalgic but romantic and fabulous with the Great Gatsby look of the Roaring 20s at Double Tree by Hilton on Friday, August 12, 2016 at 8:00 PM with a fancy cocktail and socialized tete-a-tete set at 7:00 PM.
The Roaring 20s is a term for society and culture when many people defied prohibition, indulged in new styles of dancing and dressing, and rejected many traditional moral standards. The economic growth technologically changed and the loosening of social codes encouraged a lively and uninhibited youth culture centered around the automobile, jazz music, and bootleg liquor. It was also the Era of the Great Depression following the crash of Wall Street in1929.
Because of the exuberant, freewheeling popular culture of the decade…everything seemed to be going wild in order to reverse the depressive atmosphere and adapt a temporary escape from reality…and these scenarios more than inspired and fueled the creative juices of the People’s Ball team to come up with a close-to-the-real atmosphere of the said era.
Ball guests and participants are encouraged to don flamboyant and exquisitely distinctive outfits of that era: a dramatic interplay of extreme colors from black and white to flaming red or champagne tone embellished with tassels, bob-cut hair, pearl bead necklaces, feathered headdresses or flowered ribbons, and French-netted pillbox hat. Other paraphernalia that symbolized rebellious styles are fishnets and lace stockings, French-netted pillbox hats, and stiletto-heeled shoes for ladies while men could wear loose jacket and trousers, two-toned shoes, wide cravats, and traveler’s hat.
Furthermore, a group of preferred dancers will lead the crowd to travel back in time via a well-conceptualized production number complete with authentic costumes, hall embellishments, and music.
Adding glam and prestige to the already fabulous ambience is Darlene Borromeo’s chaired segment: the recognition of deserving individuals and organization during the Empowerment Awards.
Darlene’s Selection and Awards Committee has successfully came up with seven most deserving awardees this year: Jan Bednar, RN, in support for Filipino Nurses; Lori Colineri, RN, in support for Philippine Hospital’s First MAGNET journey; Theresa De Vries, RN, for Community Service; Hon. Con. Gen. Mario Lopez De Leon, Jr. for Diplomatic and community services; Jorge Ortoll, Executive Director of Ma-Yi, for Arts and Theater; Jeryl Maglio and Family for changing people’s lives by petitioning hundreds of nurses from the Philippines; and PACCAL for its consistent and dedicated community service.
With the way well-calculated steps in the preparations for the People’s Ball and Fiesta Expo are undergoing it is without doubt that all that has been keenly visualized, zealously planned, and meticulously rendered will be productively delivered with effectual end results.
To sponsor or exhibit or for ticket reservation, please call (212) 682-6610 or email: [email protected]. For performers update, follow us on www.fiestainamerica.com
To attend, inquire, or reserve tickets for the People’s Ball, please call: 201.300.5234 or 201-993-8815 or 201-920-9441
Erratum: In my last week’s column, “Pachada Band’s frontman Chad Baluran’s tumultuous journey to success” (Asian Journal July 1 to 7 issue), I inadvertently omitted Pachada’s keyboardist’s name: Aldou Cinco. There were also a couple of typos: Chad’s dad’s first name should be “Martino” instead of “Margino” and Pachada’s lead guitarist’s last name is “Medallo” instead of “Medalla.” My sincerest apologies for the slip-ups and inaccuracy.
For comments and suggestions please email to: [email protected].
