Filipino community members from across Victoria gathered at the inaugural Adobo & BBQ Festival on Saturday, 25 May 2025, at the Geelong Racing Club in Breakwater.
With a crowd of over 5,000, the festival served as a vibrant kickoff to Philippine Independence Day celebrations in Victoria, bringing together families, friends, and cultural groups in a spirited display of unity and Filipino pride. Official guests included Member for Lara Ella George MP, Member for Geelong Christine Couzens MP, City of Greater Geelong Councillor Eddy Kontelj, and Geelong Chamber of Commerce CEO Jeremy Crawford.
The outdoor program featured a colourful cultural parade, with Filipino-Australian communities proudly representing Geelong, Colac, Ballarat, Wimmera, and Melbourne. A standout highlight was the Igorot Dance, led by Gerard Felipe and Jay Marasigan and accompanied by traditional gangsa gongs, which invited joyful audience participation.
Over 40 food, cultural, and business stalls contributed to the festive atmosphere, offering mouth-watering street eats, community engagement, and a warm display of Filipino hospitality. Inside, the stage came alive with culture, talent, and community spirit.
The indoor program opened with stirring national anthems performed by Fritzie Punsalang and Parallax Performing Arts, followed by dynamic performances from Parallax Performing Arts, FilOz Hip Hop Crew, After-Hours Band, the Wimmera Filipino Australian Club dancers, and soloist Vince Jordan Asuncion. The show continued with the FAABI Children’s Group, all-female vocal group Black Lace, indigenous instrumentalist Romualdo Sanidad, and the finalists of the Celebrate Your Voice singing contest. The program concluded with Heartbeat Band and comedian Mega SAM.
Stalls included Mama Sita’s, Remitly, Our DNA, Master Remit, MLV Accounting, MLV Group, Loanzhub, City Hearing, BridgeAus Migration Consultancy, Jac’s Kitchen, Super Rapsa, RJ Fine Foods, Lasa by Chef Paula, Silog, Brad Jay Merienda, Asian Pantry, MDA Twista Potato, Cha Thai Tea, Mr. Pro Whipp, 10 Yen Japanese Cheese Coin, Manila Bread Bakery, No 93 BBQ House, Luxe Cakes, Ruksar Facepainting & Henna, Emtess Pampanga Cuisine, Paws Claws & Pixels, Church of Scientology Melbourne, My Travel Solution & Philippine Airlines, Muse Nails, MeatMe, BM Express, Kambal Asian Grocery Shop, Australian-Filipino Community Services, Twin Beans Café, Ivy’s Chilli Garlic, Sterlina Wines, We Access Global, Olympic Migrations, International Property Business & Investment Corp, Spicy Apple Enterprise, Potato Corner Cranbourne North, and Pinoy Eats.
The event was hosted by Lee Montajes (Motivationalee), Efraim Ortega, and Shen Gonzales.
The Adobo & BBQ Festival was organised by EPIC Events & Entertainment, Filipino Chefs Association of Victoria, Filipino Australian Friendship Association of Geelong Inc, and the Filipino/Australian Association of Ballarat Inc. (FAABI).
Key event partners included the Philippine Consulate General in Melbourne, Geelong Chamber of Commerce, Soulfood Fusion House (host of the Long Table by Chef Anton & Chef Yzabel), Ystilo, Triskellion Revival, Geelong Classic Car Club, Ballarat Asian Grocery, Atlas Business Consulting Services, ASM Health Services, and Las Islas Filipinas Education Services.
The Philippine Times (Australia) was the official media partner.
