By: JDC

Amazing!!!! FAAGR (Filipino-American Association of Greater Roseville) really stepped-up to the plate on this one. The overwhelming attendance and cheerful faces of the revelers at the Filipino Fiesta in Roseville were clear indications of the successful job by the organizers. And to the accounts of many, they were already looking forward for next year and are hoping it to be an annual gathering.

The celebration commenced with a Eucharistic celebration typical of Fiestas in the Philippines as a sign of thanksgiving & offering to the patron saint of their own localities. Mayor Jim Gray of Roseville graced the occasion & said " Roseville welcomes different nationalities and consider itself as a city of diverse culture". He also took the time to acknowledge the recently concluded Roseville Community Tennis Association (RCTA) tournament winners.

LET THE PARTY BEGIN..... And as promised, the day was full of entertainment. International singer - Gloria Papin , up & coming Threesome Matutis sisters- The Angelace, Stevie Nader & the iJam were some of the talented singers belting it out on stage.

There were also participation from different cultural sphere. Two ladies showed-off their Belly Dancing skills that originated from the middle eastern country and another dance troupe swayed their way into the Hawaiian HULA accompanied with chant.

Kids were treated to the same extent with few Filipino games like PABITIN, a game comparable to Mexican Piñata, Sipa & Sungka. And for not-so-young ones - it's MAHJONG time. And to finish the night, everyone that stayed sweated it out dancing & some strutted their vocal cords in preparation to next season's reality show, AMERICAN IDOL through Karaoke session.

Filipino Fiesta won't be complete without the traditional cultural dances that include Philippine national folk dance, TINIKLING performed by the Filipino Cultural Dance Association of Sacramento, FCDAS.

Food is also a strong attraction at the Fair. And no one couldn't be more delighted than the three exclusive food concessionaires whose trays of Lumpia, Adobo and BBQs got gobbled-up by the hungry fairgoers as fast as they can replenish them. But the hands-down winner was Loard's special HALO-HALO considered as Best of Sacramento by Sacramento Bee.

In keeping the event safe, FAAGR provided the First Aid booth Headed by Cora Paulo & Neneth Madera with the help from their co-nurses from Kaiser Hospital, Roseville.

The highlight of the Fiesta was the fashion show showcasing traditional Filipino costumes influenced by the Spanish era and the colorful clothing from the Southern Philippines' Muslim province of Mindanao. And the most authentic costume came from the Cordillera region & mountain province of Baguio worn by the indigenous inhabitants called "The Igorots". It was portrayed by the unabashed Pat Bagnol. The fashion show was made possible with the help from Noel Rominque, a well known fashionista himself and a Chief Sacramento newspaper editor.

I was also surprised and very privileged to meet Hon. Raul V. Del Mar, the Philippine Deputy House Speaker from District 1, Cebu City. He Somewhat take similar designation as the US house speaker Nancy Pelosi's wingman. He was here in Sacramento area to visit his family in Rocklin before going back to the Philippines. He was part of the 10-day official state visit of the Philippine Pres. Gloria Arroyo and her delegation to US last month. They visited Pres. Bush at the White House to discuss among others, issues of great interest to the Philippines and the United States, particularly on ways to further strengthen the long standing and historic bilateral relationship between the two allied countries.

People from as far as Placer county's Nevada City and North Sacramento took part in the full day fun-filled celebration.

FAAGR officers unanimously voted last meeting to hold the FIESTA again next year and hopefully every year thereafter. The decision was based on the encouraging outcome of the last event.

If you are interested in seeing more photos of the Fiesta or interested to know more about FAAGR, pls check them online at www.FAAGR.org and click the appropriate links.

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