CULTURE SCENE
FilCom Center star of Mabuhay Festival

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

"Mabuhay" is Filipino for "long live" and organizers of the Mabuhay Festival, which begins with Tuesday's dedication of the Filipino Community Center in Waipahu, are looking for it to be more than a one-time event.

Roland Casamina, president of the $14 million FilCom Center at 94-428 Mokuola St. in Waipahu, said the Mabuhay Festival was set up this year to celebrate the opening of the center as well as two other major June events — Philippine Independence Day on Wednesday and the 10th Filipino Fiesta June 15 in Waikiki.

The theme of the six-day festival is Isang Puso, Isang Diwa — One Heart, One Spirit.

"It's a symbol of unity and pride for Filipinos, not only in Hawai'i but around the world," Casamina said of the center. "Everyone feels ownership."

Casamina and his friend, Eddie Flores Jr., were prime movers getting the FilCom Center project off the ground. The Filipino Fiesta is Flores' "baby," said Casamina, who envisions the Mabuhay Festival becoming a major annual event, like the weekend Honolulu Festival in March.

"I think it would generate a lot of excitement in the community, not only for Filipinos," Flores said, noting that organizers will evaluate this year's Mabuhay Festival before making any long-range plans. Last week's basketball event "was big. We had 16 teams from the Mainland and one from the Neighbor Islands participating. Many of the players will play in the professional league in the Philippines.

"What we're doing is not so much like the Japanese and Okinawans, because their festivals are cultural," he added. "We're looking at having events like the basketball tournament, ballroom dancing championships and trade shows."

Although the Filipino Fiesta receives about $25,000 from the Hawai'i Tourism Authority, the Mabuhay Festival mostly runs on private money.

"A lot of personal money and time has gone into this effort," Casamina said of the organizers.

Showcasing the FilCom Center is the major goal of the first Mabuhay Festival.

"The opening of the FilCom Center is the biggest event ever for us," festival marketing director and Honolulu Filipino Junior Chamber of Commerce member Eric C. Barsatan said, referring to the local Filipino community. "We see the festival setting a forward standard for us to promote the growth of the FilCom Center and progress in the community.

"The best thing has been the coming together of Filipinos," Barsatan added. "Everyone is excited about the FilCom Center. You can feel the sense of pride. When they were going door to door to raise money, a lot of people gave what they could. Even those who gave a few dollars feel they have a stake in this."

Merlin Magallona, undersecretary of foreign affairs, and Jose Molano Jr., executive director of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, will be here representing Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's administration at both the FilCom Center dedication and independence day celebrations.

Included in Mabuhay Festival events are a Philippine-Hawai'i Trade Expo, Wednesday through June 14, at FilCom Center, and the 10th Filipino Fiesta and parade, June 15 in Waikiki.

The Mabuhay Festival's schedule of events:

• Tuesday. At FilCom Center — dedication, 10 a.m.; open house, noon; unveiling of statue of Philippine patriot Jose Rizal, 1 p.m. (free). "Pasinaya" reception, 7 p.m. ($35, includes dinner), 841-2841. Continuing at various movie theaters on O'ahu and Maui — the award-winning film "The Debut," starring Eddie Garcia, Danté Basco, Tirso Cruz III and Gina Alajar. The film opens today.
• Wednesday. Philippine Independence Day celebration at FilCom Center — ecumenical service, 9:30 a.m.; Vin d'Honneur ceremony with host Consul General (Honolulu) Rolando Gregorio in the ballroom, noon; Philippine-Hawai'i Trade Expo, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (free). Fil-Am ballroom dance workshop, 1-5 p.m. ($10-$120); cultural dance/fashion show, 6 p.m., in the courtyard ($5).
• Thursday. At FilCom Center — Philippine-Hawai'i Trade Expo, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (free); cultural dance festival in the courtyard, 6 p.m. ($5).
• June 14. At FilCom Center — Philippine-Hawai'i Trade Expo, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., free; Fil-Am Ballroom Dance Championships, 6 p.m., in the ballroom ($30 general, $20 kids under 12).
• June 15. In Waikiki — 10th Filipino Fiesta at Kapi'olani Park and parade, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. (free).
• June 16. Daiei store in Waipahu — A mini fiesta with cultural shows, folk dancing, food and products of the Philippines, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.. Also, an attempt to set a world record for tinikling, the traditional bamboo dance. Free. 680-0451.