Ryan Cayabyab and Singers to headline PH Independence festivities in SF

Ryan Cayabyab and his Singers. INQUIRER FILE

SAN FRANCISCO —  Philippine pop-icon and multi-awarded Ryan Cayabyab and his equally talented Ryan Cayabyab Singers will headline the 2017 Philippine Independence Day Celebration in the Bay Area.

On Friday, June 16, at 7 p.m., the group will perform at a formal evening concert and gala to be held at the Marines’ Memorial Theater at 609 Sutter Street in San Francisco.

Two days later on Sunday, June 18, an outdoor festival and concert will be held at Union Square from noon till early evening and is open to the public.

The dual events celebrate the Declaration of Philippine Independence from Spain on June 12, 1898. KalayaanSF, a San Francisco Bay Area organization, partnered with the Philippine Consulate General of San Francisco and various community groups continues its vision to “Spark, Connect, Empower” by bringing in and presenting the best of Filipino culture, arts and music.

PH Independence Day Concert & Gala

The Independence Day Concert and Gala presents multi-awarded Filipino singer-composer and conductor, Ryan Cayabyab with seven of his fabulous singers at the historic Marines’ Memorial Theater on Sutter Street, a stone’s throw away from Union Square in downtown San Francisco.

A formal gala reception will follow at the adjacent Marines’ Memorial Club & a Hotel as guests are welcomed by a traditional, Rigodon de Honor, a Filipino-Spanish quadrille folk dance specially performed by consular officers, community leaders and dignitaries.

Women dancers wear Filipiniana inspired gowns, while the men were traditional or modern designed Barong Tagalog. A sumptuous multi-course dinner and a no-host bar will be served.

There will be performances by featured artists, and dancing till midnight with the music of top DJs.  Tickets can be purchased at www.KalayaanSF.com/gala

KalayaanSF Festival

Now on its fourth year, the annual KalayaanSF Outdoor Festival and Concert on Sunday, June 18 at Union Square will be held from 12 noon till 8 p.m. The public will be entertained by signature “street” performances on the four corners of Union Square and the main stage. There will be folk dances representing the different Philippine regions, martial arts, visual arts and musical performances.

Dancers preparing to perform IN San Francisco’s Union Square. INQUIRER FILE

A “MarketPlace” pavilion will be set up where attendees can browse and purchase Philippine products and sample authentic Filipino cuisine.  Corporate and non-profit organization booths will also be present where major sponsors can reach out directly to consumers.

Kalayaan Heroes

Part of KalayaanSF’s program is to honor Filipinos/Filipino Americans who have shown outstanding community involvement and or have excelled in their fields of expertise, as an inspiration to the youth and the community at large.

The 2017 Kalayaan Hero Awardees will be introduced to the public in a formal ceremony where they will receive the Gawad Kalayaan trophy. These select individuals have exemplified the highest ideals in the fields of sports, politics, arts, business, and community service.

TFC Evening Concert

The KalayaanSF Festival will close with a free, full-length concert produced by ABS-CBN/TFC (The Filipino Channel), at the Union Square main stage. The concert will be headlined by various TFC talents and will include crowd-pleasing performances by Ryan Cayabyab and his seven fabulous singers.

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.cocm/KalayaanSF or [email protected]