KalayaanSF gears up for PH Independence Day bash

KalayaanSF fiesta 2017. RADI CALALANG

SAN FRANCISCO – Drawing thousands of revelers each year, KalayaanSF 2018 will once again hold its main event in the heart of downtown San Francisco, in historic Union Square, against the backdrop of San Francisco’s iconic cable cars and well-known landmarks.

This exciting festival, to be held this year on Saturday, June 16th, commemorates Philippine Independence Day-June 12 and will feature a cultural showcase, live entertainment, food alley, marketplace, and an evening concert.

Philippine Consul General Henry S. Bensurto Jr. explained that these efforts are aimed “empowering the generations of Filipinos abroad by igniting a deeper interest in their culture and history, fostering a deeper sense of identity, and strengthening and expanding connections with one another.”

June 12 revelers. RAY SY

KalayaanSF, the Bay Area organization in charge of this annual celebration in partnership with the Philippine Consulate General of San Francisco and other community groups, is proud to announce its upcoming events.

KalayaanSF June Celebrations will feature a piano concert by Maestro Raul Sunico, and a Union Square Festival highlighted by cultural and musical performances, the presentation of Community Heroes, and an evening concert featuring pop artists JR and Jaya.

On Saturday, June 9, the piano concert featuringworld-renowned Filipino pianist, Raul Sunicowill be held at the beautiful and historic Marines Memorial Theater at 609 Sutter Street, a stone’s throw away from Union Square.

Folk dancers. RICKY DOMONISE

This black-tie affair will bring together concert aficionados, City and State officials, consular representatives from various nations, and a cross section of guests from the Bay Area Filipino American community.

A formal reception will follow at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center where guests will be treated to Filipino gourmet food, and the traditional formal Filipino quadrille, Rigodon de Honor,which will be performed by community leaders and dignitaries.

More dancing. DENNIS CHAN

The annual KalayaanSF Festival at Union Square will be held on Saturday, June 16 starting from 12 noon up to 8 p.m. The public is invited to this all-day event to experience the best of Filipino culture.

As in previous years, thousands of revelers are expected to come and experience the event’s signature “street” performances on all corners of the Square, where traditional and modern dances, martial arts, visual arts, and musical performances are delivered up close, and often interactively, with attendees.

There will be a Marketplace Pavilion with vendors offering Philippine-themed and Philippine-made merchandise, while various exhibitors, from corporate sponsors to non-profits will be present to reach out to the public. To complete a truly Filipino experience, food booths offering authentic Filipino cuisine will be available for all to savor.

Filipino pride. DENNIS CHAN

Highlight of the whole day Festival is an early evening, free pop-concert produced by ABS-CBN/TFC (the Filipino Channel) featuring Filipino American platinum recording artist, Jay R,and the Philippines’ soul diva, Jaya. They will be performing atUnion Square’s main stage.

Kalayaan Hero Awards

Along with the festivities is a time to honor both known and unheralded heroes in the community. Each year, a small group of hand-picked community heroes are introduced to the public in a formal ceremony, allowing awardees and the community to know and interact with each other.

KalayaanSF seeks to provide inspiration by honoring and presenting the accomplishments of these select individuals who have exemplified the highest ideals in the fields of sports, politics, arts, business, and community service.

KalayaanSF Mission

Conrad “Radi” Calalang, chairman of KalayaanSF remarked, “As the largest Asian American population in California, and one of the largest minority groups in the country, we’re very large in number but tend to keep a much lower profile relative to others.  We’d like to help bring Filipino Americans out in the forefront, not just to have them appreciated for their culture and achievements, but to inspire them to continue making a positive impact on the community.”

For more information on these and other KalayaanSF events in the month of June, or for inquiries on sponsorship, volunteer and vendor opportunities, please visit www.KalayaanSF.com, Facebook.com/KalayaanSF, or email [email protected]