Free entry.
Free stalls for all Filipino organisations.
To kick off the community’s celebration of the Philippines’ 120th Independence Day, a number of Filipino community leaders with the support of the Philippine Consulate of Victoria have put together a two-day Philippines Street Fiesta on 19 and 20 May 2018 at Queen Victoria Market.
Hailed as Fiesta ng Kalayaan, the festival is an annual activity of the Filipino community as part of the ASEAN Association of Victoria. Each community which is a member of an ASEAN country hosts its own festival and elects an important date to commemorate. For the Philippines, the Philippine Independence Day was chosen as the main peg.
The Street Fiesta will feature a cultural parade, entertainment shows, Filipino games, food stalls and a bazaar. As this is a celebration of Independence Day, the Philippine National Anthem will be sung on the occasion.
Choice of venue
The organising committee picked the venue for its high traffic, where an average of 35,000 people from different walks of life visit the market on a weekly basis. Queen Victoria Market is a strategic choice to promote the Filipino culture to a wider audience and show what the Philippines has to offer in terms of wares, talent and hospitality.
Philippine Honorary Consul to Victoria Felix Pintado says, “Those attending the Street Fiesta will be able to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the many Queen Victoria Market stalls, with the addition of the Filipino cultural and culinary delights, in the context of a very multicultural Victorian community.”
Cr Walter Villagonzalo, Deputy Mayor of the City of Wyndham and Festival Advisor to the committee, states that the decision to hold the Street Fiesta in Queen Victoria Market is both “innovative and inclusive.” He states, “Our festivals should not just bring Filipinos together but also showcase Filipino culture and food to the wider Australian community. Holding it at Queen Vic Market is not bringing the non-Filipinos to the Filipino event but bringing the event to where the non-Filipinos are.”
With the diverse crowd coming into the Market, Street Fiesta supporter Maina Walkley said that this should be an advantage for vendors who will put up stalls. Aside from bigger market opportunities for business owners, Walkley also remarks that it will be a great avenue for Filipino organisations to promote their groups and activities.
Best things in life are free
Entry to the Street Fiesta is free of charge and reminiscent of the first Philippine Fiesta held at Albert Park.
The organisers will also offer a free spot for Filipino clubs and association where members can congregate and promote their activities. They only need to bring their own marquee that has building approval of Queen Victoria Market. According to Noel Tolentino, Festival Director, this area will provide an opportunity for people to connect with one another, among new and old friends.
Collaborative effort
As the Street Fiesta is still a few weeks in the making, interested individuals, businesses and organisations may contact members of the organising committee to signify their participation and support.
The Committee is composed of Noel Tolentino, Festival Director and assisted by Fred Jover for community groups/associations; Roy Carbungco, Entertainment Director; and Rochelle Sison, Commercial and Food Stalls. Wyndham Cr Walter Villagonzalo, Festival and Governmental Advisor, and pioneer community leaders such as Eddie Atacador and former Consul Maina Walkley as well as current President of the Filipino Community Council of Victoria Marithess Dumapias are supporting the event.
