Brisbane, Australia – On Sunday, June 11, 2023, Filipino communities in Brisbane will come together to celebrate 125 years of Philippine Independence. The event, known as Kalayaan 125 (Freedom 125), will take place at Rocklea Showgrounds and promises to be a vibrant celebration of Filipino culture and heritage.
The significance of this occasion lies in commemorating the Declaration of Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898. Filipinos around the world will join in the festivities, paying homage to the heroes who fought for their nation’s freedom over a century ago.
The Filipino Barrio Fiesta Brisbane is proud to host this momentous celebration, providing attendees with an immersive experience of the vibrant Filipino fiesta. The event will feature a wide array of activities, including arts, food, music, and cultural performances.
“Kalayaan 125” aims to highlight the core values of faith, music, dance, food, and family that are deeply ingrained in Filipino culture. The festivities will kick off with a Thanksgiving Eucharistic Mass at 9:30 am, followed by a Musical Extravaganza at 10:45 am.
At noon, the official opening ceremony will take place, featuring multicultural presentations. Representatives from various Filipino communities across Brisbane, as well as Moreton Bay areas, Ipswich, Tweed Heads, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Glenn Innes, New South Wales, and the Guangxie Multicultural Communities in Queensland, will showcase their unique traditions through music and dance.
One of the cultural highlights of the event will be the presentation of “Harana,” a traditional courtship ritual that harks back to the colonial era in the Philippines. This beautiful tradition showcases the values of chivalry and femininity and exhibits the expressive musicality and community social life in the barrios. It can be likened to the famous balcony scene in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” but with a distinct Filipino touch through song.
The celebration will be accompanied by live band performances from Sublime Ukelectics, 4EB Van Jam, Purple Hearts Band, Los Compañeros Band, and the Old Mate Special. These talented musicians will provide a lively atmosphere, adding to the festive spirit of the event.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Census 2021, there are more than 310,620 Filipino-born individuals living in Australia, with 73,805 residing in Queensland. Of those, over 30,000 are spread across the Greater Brisbane area. This demographic showcases the strong Filipino presence in the region, making the celebration all the more significant.
For over 30 years, the Filipino Barrio Fiesta Brisbane has been organizing this annual event, which has received continuous support from the Queensland Government and Multicultural Affairs Queensland through its multicultural program. Honey Binny, spokesperson for Filipino Barrio Fiesta Brisbane, expressed her enthusiasm for the event, saying, “The annual Barrio Fiesta Brisbane event gives us a platform to showcase the rich traditions, the warm hospitality, and the joyous spirit of the Filipinos. On this day, we share a historic milestone that reminds us of the sacrifices made by countless heroes who believed in the dream of a free and sovereign Philippines.”
The celebration of Kalayaan 125 promises to be a colourful and lively affair, allowing attendees to experience the essence of Filipino culture and heritage. This gathering of the Filipino community in Brisbane not only marks an important milestone but also serves as a testament to the enduring spirit and unity of the Filipino people.
