The Annual Festival of Philippine Arts & Culture (FPAC) was first conceptualized in 1990 as part of the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department’s Festivals Program, an arts program that was designed to address the multicultural and multi-ethnic population of the city of Los Angeles.
The first FPAC took place at Los Angeles City College on Mother’s Day, May 14, 1992, and was organized by about 100 artists and community leaders. Roughly 3,000 participants braved the aftermath of the L.A. riots, which had occurred just the week prior to the affair. Since this seminal event, FPAC has grown stronger and bigger over the years; moving to Cabrillo Beach in 1994 before finally transitioning to its current location in Point Fermin Park, in the historic district of San Pedro back in 2001.
Bookmark/Search this post with:
Continuing a community-wide tradition, FilAm ARTS presented the 18th Annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC), on September 12-13, 2009 at Point Fermin Park in San Pedro. Widely known as Southern Californias largest and longest-running Filipino cultural celebration, FPAC featured performances by a diverse line-up headlined by the premiere Filipino American comedian, Rex Navarrete; Geologic, of the rising hip hop group the Blue Scholars; MTVs Americas Best Dance Crew Season 2 finalist, Supreme Soul; YouTube sensation, AJ Rafael; and pop vocalist Ashley Robles. 
BARANGAY is an organization created by and for the Los Angeles Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Filipinos. This year, under the leadership of Francis Aquino, Barangay’s goal is “building bridges and breaking down barriers.” This organization, which is named after the native Pilipino term for “a village” or “community”, has long been a vibrant and respected presence in the gay Asian and Pacific Islander Community.
While not in the near future, I can say with certainity that I do definitely aspire to be a father some day. With that in mind it was pretty cool visiting the Youth Pavilion at the 18th annual FPAC. It's really interesting to think that some of the college aged participants of the first FPAC might have kids as old as the event itself who are then experiencing the event this year! Talagang CRAZY!
“Arnis”, “Eskrima ", and “Kali” refer to a class of Filipino Martial Arts (FMA ) that initially emphasizes stick and/or blade (sword, knife, or dagger) fighting before advancing on to unarmed combat.
Earlier this year we lost an icon in Philippine popular culture. Francis Magalona, also known as Francis M. “The Master Rapper” or the “King of Philippine Rap” left this world as the most prolific hip hop artist in the Philippines. Although iconic, Francis Magalona was still very human. On March 6, 2009, he passed away at age 44 after a seven-month bout with leukemia. At the 18th Annual Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture, MastaPlann and The Kasamas will honor “The Master Rapper” by performing a few of his songs and by paying tribute to a true Philippine hero. MastaPlann is a legendary hip hop group that excelled in the ranks of Philippine hip hop in 1991 and continue to perform today.
Words by Edward J. Mallillin
