2nd Annual Filipino American Friendship Festival took over the city this past weekend.
Liberty Station's NTC Park hosted the 2nd Annual Filipino event on Saturday, providing a fun and family-oriented experience for San Diego locals to embrace Filipino-American culture.
The event was put together to celebrate their history, including Filipinos arriving to the U.S. by way of military decades ago, and their eventual graduation from Navy boot camp at the Naval Training Center.
This 2nd annual event also recognized the Philippines' independence from the U.S. over seven decades ago on July 4th, 1946.
Hundreds of locals gathered at NTC park for this event, enjoying the several food vendors on site, along with live music and traditional dance performances by students representing Mira Mesa High School.
JoAnne Fields, Government & Public Relations Director of API Initiative, says that this year's event was a huge success for their community, so much that she has already confirmed there will be a 3rd annual gathering of this festival on July 29th of next year.
"The procession of Filipino organizations, community and faith based leaders, students and allies set the tone for the jam packed entertainment program," said Fields. "I am very excited to have celebrated Filipino culture and heritage with thousands of San Diegans and out of town visitors. We learned a lot ourselves with our new event venue and will start planning for next year’s festival slated for July 29, 2023 at NTC Park!"
U.S. Representative Sara Jacobs (CA-53) was also in attendance on Saturday. The Congresswoman has long-been an ally to the Filipino community of San Diego, and she took to twitter to show her enjoyment of the packed festival at NTC park.
“So great to be at the 2nd Annual Filipino American Friendship Festival and to celebrate our vibrant local Filipino community. Good company, amazing performances, and delicious food,” Rep. Jacobs tweeted.
To stay in touch with the latest updates on this annual festival through their Facebook page.
