San Diego gears up for 4th annual Filipino American Friendship Festival

SAN DIEGO – The Filipino American community in San Diego, in partnership with the Asian Pacific Islander Initiative (API Initiative), is all set to hold the 4^th annual Filipino American Friendship Festival on Saturday, July 13.

The festival, which will take place at NTC Liberty Station Park in San Diego, commemorates the day the Philippines gained independence from the United States on July 4, 1946. It aims to support the enduring bond between the two countries and celebrate the rich heritage of the Fil-Am community.

The free, family-friendly event will feature cultural art, food and live entertainment. Performers include singer and songwriter Knowa Lazarus and Alterwave San Diego.

The festival will also showcase Filipino small businesses, Filipino book authors, Karaoke Korner and Plumeria 101. There will be workshops for kids and a volleyball tournament.

“Our festival celebrates the rich heritage of the Filipino American community through music, dance and delicious cuisine. Get ready for a day of traditional performances, arts and crafts vendors and games for the whole family,” organizers wrote in their Facebook post.

“Whether you’re Filipino, Filipino American or just love the culture, this event is for you! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with others and celebrate the bonds of friendship between our communities. See you there!”

The festival is presented by API Initiative, which “builds relationships through collaboration and offers unique services that deliver specialized insights across multiple cultures.”

The group promotes and advocates for the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities through arts and culture, civic engagement, leadership development, outreach, education, technical assistance and training, and research, data collection and evaluation.

API Initiative presented its inaugural Filipino American Friendship Festival in 2021 at the Port Pavilion on the Broadway Pier. The following year, the festival was held at the NTC Liberty Station Park, celebrating the US Navy’s announcement to name one of its future ships the USS Telesforo Trinidad, the Filipino American sailor who rescued two shipmates during an explosion on the USS San Diego in 1915.