Vallejo ‘Pista sa Nayon’ celebrates PH Independence Day

Arianne Tell sings the Philippine National Anthem during the annual “Pista sa Nayon” in Vallejo. Photo by Jun Nucum

VALLEJO, Calif. –  The Filipino American community held the annual “Pista sa Nayon” in this city over the weekend to kick off the 126th Philippine Independence Day celebration in the Bay Area.

Organized by the community-run Philippine Cultural Committee, “Pista sa Nayon” returned to the Mare Island Coal Sheds for the third consecutive year, gathering Filipino American cultural performers, fashion designers, martial artists, food stalls and trucks, and handicraft pop-ups.

Featuring colorful festivities, dazzling performances and mouthwatering culinary delights, the event reflected the Fil-Am community’s unity and cultural pride.

Consul General Neil Ferrer congratulated the Philippine Cultural Committee for spearheading the Vallejo “Pista sa Nayon” on its 38th year.

“Pista sa Nayon” participants line up to sample Filipino dishes offered by food trucks. Photo by Jun Nucum

In a message read by Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil during the event, Ferrer also thanked the Solano County Board of Supervisors and the Vallejo City Council for their resolutions, proclaiming June 2024 as “Philippine Cultural Month.”

“I am especially proud of the achievements of the Filipino Community here in Solano County and Vallejo. The enduring friendship between the Philippines and America has been strengthened by our inextricable people-to-people ties, anchored on our four-million-strong Filipino Community in the United States—of whom close to 59,000 live in Solano County, with almost half of that figure residing in Vallejo,” Ferrer said.

Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil reads the message of Philippine Consul General Neil Ferrer. Standing behind her are City Council Member Rozzana Verder-Aliga (left) and Vallejo City Mayor Robert McConnell. Photo by Jun Nucum

Top government officials were in attendance, including Vallejo Mayor Robert McConnell, American Canyon Mayor Leon Garcia, Benicia Mayor Steve Young, Suisun City Mayor Alma Hernandez and Solano County District 1 Supervisor Erin Hannigan.

Filipino American government officials were also in full force during the celebration, including: Vallejo Councilmembers Rozzana Verder-Aliga, Diosdado JR Matulac and Charles Palmares; Vallejo Board of Education Member Glenn Amboy; and California Superior Court Judge for Solano County Marlo Nisperos, who was recently appointed to the position by California Governor Gavin Newsom.

Officers and members of the Filipino American National Historical Society – Vallejo Chapter. Photo by Jun Nucum

In the early 1900s, the former Mare Island Naval Shipyard attracted Filipinos to work and eventually settle in Vallejo, creating one of the first Filipino Communities in the United States.

One notable Fil-Am celebrity from Vallejo is award-winning singer and songwriter H.E.R., born Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson.

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