Finally, the much-awaited summer event in the northeast is over…the month-long preparations were worth spent for…and the tensioning pressures were alleviated with finality. What a relief!
The recently concluded three-day Fiesta in America celebration left an unprecedented score as it strongly proved the Filipinos’ high sense of value for everything and anything Philippines. Their innate sagacity as Filipinos was discernibly exhibited and evidently witnessed when they drove in throngs and hordes to both the People’s Ball at the Hilton Meadowlands Hotel and the Fiesta Expo and Cultural Show at the Meadowlands Expo Center last Friday, August 11, Saturday and Sunday, August 12 and 13, respectively.
This year’s People’s Ball offered one of the ultimate in brilliant presentations and fast-paced programming with the able support of Honorary Chairs Atty. Nick Caraquel, Jocelyn Aligarbes, and Maria Pilar Monje. The sterling performances of world-class talents gave the People’s Ball an impressively impacting afterthought with the participation of The Band of Brothers, Take the Stage Band, Jazz Princess Rasmin Diaz, teen beauty Sabrina Ramos, International Tango Champions Leonardo Sardella and Analia Farfan, You Tube sensation Bryan B. Magsayo, and the Jam Session Dance Tableau of the Psychedelic Dancers that appended even more glitz and glam to the already grandiose 1960s-themed event.
Meanwhile, the 19th Fiesta in America celebration continued to attract crowds year after year with special mention of this year’s edition… due to its nostalgic premise: the 60s era.
In correlation with the theme, veteran artists and old-time-favorite music icons were the main features of its entertainment hour: singer-songwriter-record producer Rey Valera, showband members of Music and Magic, siblings Spanky and Roger Rigor of VST & Co., and the purveyor of half-century old American classic, The Drifters.
However, young and fresh souls were effectually integrated with the still-on-the-run music legends for that added “now generation” flavor: American Idol alumna Jessica Sanchez and Tawag ng Tanghalan Grand Champion Noven Belleza plus the fast-rising Band of Brothers, juvenile musicians The Arato Brothers, the Urban Dance Team of The Wannabes, angelic youths with terpsichorean prowess known as the Young Servants of the Lord, and the Ambassadors of Philippine Music, Sounds of Manila.
Easily, Fiesta in America, after 19 years, has effortlessly established its paramount image while having indubitably carved its distinctive name in the annals of local entertainment and cultural productions.
“Fiesta in America owes its longevity to the more than 200,000 consumers who have been our guests since its inception in 1998,” Fernando “Nanding” Mendez, Fiesta in America President, proudly expressed. “As a fitting prelude to our second decade, we unveiled a Fil-Am first: the inclusion of the legendary The Drifters, a two-time Hall of Fame inductee.”
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all sponsors, advertisers, vendors, performers, committee chairs, office staff, volunteers, and the media for having contributed the best facet of their elements that made the 2017 Fiesta in America a rousing success!” Nanding appreciatively expressed.
Feast on the multihued snapshots captured from the three-day event. For those who witnessed the grandeur of the festivities, refresh the sights and sounds of the unforgettable life’s episode… and for those who failed to come and missed the exciting occurrences, enjoy the photos just the same and have no regret. Plan in advance for 2018 and make sure to be counted.
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