For a celebration meticulously planned for months, nothing could have dampened the Philippine Grand Fiesta held on 30 June as thousands flocked to the iconic Queen Victoria Market despite the freezing Melbourne morning, excited for the taste and nostalgia of the traditional Filipino fiesta while looking back at 126 years of Philippine Independence.
With about 30 food stalls officially opening at 9am, the QV Market welcomed the vibrant sound of a grand parade led by the rhythmic drumbeats of the Ati-Atihan Group of Melbourne. Ati-Atihan participants were dressed in their new creatively dazzling and colourful outfits originally designed and flown from Iloilo City, courtesy of My Travel Solution Proprietor Chris Centeno.
The fiesta was put together by EMG Cargo Enterprises Proprietor Ed Guevarra and the whole organising committee that included wife Leovigilda ‘Obet’ Guevarra, Noel Tolentino and former Honorary Consul Maina Walkley. Guest speakers included Former Philippine Honorary Consul Raul Hernandez and Victorian Multicultural Commission Chairperson Vivienne Nguyen.
Following the national anthems, Hazel Schops sang “Bayan Ko” (My Country), with Ed Guevarra excitedly welcoming everyone to the Grand Fiesta and reiterated his desire to promote and enrich the Filipino culture and tradition, and for the young generation to be a part of such important celebrations.
Apart from the palate-tempting aroma of Filipino traditional favourites (particularly lechon, sizzling chicken/pork barbeque) and refreshing delicacies such as halo-halo (tropical fruit combo served as a flavoured iced dessert) and ensaymada (cheesy bread roll), attendees enjoyed several performances introduced by emcees Jovy Adeva and Charlene Sotelo.
The Luzviminda Dance Group performed the Maranao ritual dance; Dancing Dazzlers Diana Lee, Anne Gutierrez and Kimberley Abraham performed a modern dance “Greedy”; SPAG Jerry Baladjay Group entertained with a Hip-hop dance and Young Generation performers led by Secretary Evelyn Unwin danced “Sa Libis ng Nayon” (On the Edge of Town).
Veteran musicians Kryz Aguilar and Judy Capsis (with their traditional angklung instruments) performed with the Movement for Solidarity (MFS) Carer’s Group in association with Aguilar’s Samut-Sari Group of Casey; proactive community volunteer husband Conrado Aguilar, YG member Myra Deller and AFCS Rose Poss were certainly surprise performers.
The “Cooking with Mama Sita’s” demonstration by Chef Morris Dansen Catanghal and Chef Michael Ikeal Pastrana of Adobros Australia with surprise guest Ringwood Hawks/Gilas Pilipinas Team’s centre basketball player Jack Danielle Animan was certainly an added bonus. The trio nostalgically reminisced on what the traditional fiesta in the Philippines is like.
Pampangueño Club of Victoria (PCOV) President Roy Carbungco engagingly managed the very first Grand Fiesta ‘one of a kind’ beauty pageant. Judges led by LK Travel Lulu Lorenzo meticulously totalled scores for two pageant winners: Jackie Samantha Orosco Rabelista crowned as Mrs Philippine Grand Fiesta Queen 2024 and Jasmine Alyra Nicolas crowned as Miss Philippine Grand Fiesta Princess 2024. The community dancing then provided a welcome entertainment, with Rolly Radam and team providing various dance songs that kept everyone warmed up.
