Photo courtesy the Filipino Festival
The Filipino Festival is back for a seventh year, running Aug. 10 from 5 to 10 p.m. and Aug. 11 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., with food finds such as lumpia (ground meat in spring-roll shells), pancit (rice noodles with mixed vegetables and chicken) and empanadas (filled puff pastries). Admission is free, and the festival will take place at Our Lady of Lourdes (8200 Woodman Road).
"This was our [founder and] co-chairman Tom Schaaf's brainchild," says Sue Berinato, who works with the event's promotion team. "He realized there were a lot of dedicated Filipinos at Our Lady of Lourdes." About 10,000 guests are expected this year, including representatives of the Philippine embassy in Washington for an oath-swearing ceremony in which local Filipinos will become dual citizens. Band performances will take place Friday evening, while attendees can expect traditional cultural programs on Saturday with food, music, Filipino dances and activities for children. "There is no party complete without Filipino line dancing," says Berinato. For more information, visit filipinofestival.org .
