LOS ANGELES – As the nation gears up to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, the Historic Filipinotown neighborhood in Los Angeles is set to host a vibrant and culturally rich Filipino festival, “Baryo HiFi.”
This inaugural event presented by the Historic Filipinotown Coalition, in partnership with comedian and actor Jo Koy, Jollibee, and Philippine Airlines, promises to be a celebration of Filipino culture, cuisine, music, fashion, and art.
Throughout the last century, Filipinos have made immeasurable contributions to the city’s economy, culture and history. This weekend marks a first-of-its-kind celebration to commemorate the Filipino community’s contributions and Historic Filipino town’s cultural significance in greater Los Angeles. Open to the public, “Baryo HiFi” takes place on Saturday, May 4, 2024, 3 to 8 p.m., on Beverly Blvd. between Union Avenue and Union Place.
Historic Filipinotown is two minutes west of Downtown Los Angeles, and is the first designated geographic area for Filipinos in the United States. The district is 2.1 square miles and borders Downtown LA, Echo Park, Silver Lake and Koreatown. The borders are the 101 Freeway to the North, Beverly Boulevard to the South, Glendale Boulevard to the East and Hoover Street to the West.
The area is named “Historic Filipinotown” as it is one of the few areas where Filipinos first settled during the early part of the 20th century and home to key Filipino organizations, Filipino churches, housing and social services resources.
The festival is organized by Filipino American community leaders and creatives, spearheaded by Miles Canares (family style food fest founder), Jennifer Taylor (commercial real estate investor and developer), Stephanie Ramos (brand strategist and marketing consultant), and Alvin Cailan (Amboy founder and chef), who are all passionate about promoting Filipino culture and supporting the community.
“We are thrilled to kick off AAPI Heritage Month with the Filipino Festival in Historic Filipinotown,” said the organizers. “With this celebration of culture and heritage, we hope this event will spark a renewed energy in the neighborhood and empower Filipino-Americans to grow HiFi into a hub for community, culture, and businesses.”
The festival aims to bring together the best of Filipino food, featuring some of the top Filipino restaurants and legacy establishments such as Dollar Hits, Lasita, The Park’s Finest, Big Boi, Cafe 86, and Wanderlust Creamery.
“Baryo HiFi” will also feature entertainment hosted by rapper P-Lo and DJ Noodles with an incredible lineup of DJs and performers including Yeek, Rini, Esta, and SoSuperSam, as well as an art exhibition curated by Kristofferson San Pablo, highlighting Filipino-American perspectives in contemporary art.
Furthermore, it will serve as a platform for Filipino American creators, makers, and small businesses with a marketplace curated by Sari Sari and All Purpose Sauce LA.
With over 500,000 Filipino Americans residing in and around Los Angeles, the Filipino Festival represents a significant moment to celebrate the contributions of this thriving community. With recent efforts to increase visibility, including the construction of an iconic archway, the neighborhood is poised to reclaim its status as a cultural destination.
Historic Filipinotown is home to legacy non-profit organizations (i.e. SIPA, PWC, FACLA, and FASGI), as well as the HiFi Coalition and the work they do to service the FilAm community. It is also the creative hub to Rideback Ranch (Dan Lin), Array (Ava Duvernay) and Blumhouse Production (Jason Blum).
The festival is open to all members of the community, inviting people of all backgrounds to come together in celebration and solidarity. Whether you’re a longtime resident, a food enthusiast, a music lover, or an art aficionado, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at this inclusive event.
Join us on May 4, 2024, as we come together to celebrate Filipino culture, support local businesses, and honor the legacy of Historic Filipinotown. Admission is FREE. For more information and updates about “Baryo HiFi,” follow us on Instagram (@historicfilipinotown.la) or visit our website at hifila.org. For tickets to the event, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/baryo-hifi-tickets-886515039347. n