Commemorate the anniversary of Philippine Independence June 3-4 at Seattle Center
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SEATTLE – The Seattle Center Festál series continues with Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival, taking place on June 3 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and June 4 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Armory Food & Event Hall and Mural Amphitheatre. This two-day festival commemorates the anniversary of Philippine Independence with the word ‘Pagdiriwang’ meaning ‘festival.’ It offers a glimpse of Filipino heritage and culture through music, dance, arts, song, film, history, literature, and crafts.
Returning to in-person, the annual festival, in its 37th year, is the largest Filipino art and cultural festival in the Pacific Northwest. This year’s theme of ‘Paghabi ng Kultura’, meaning weaving or stitching together a culture, will focus on the larger Filipino culture instead of just the southern Philippines, which was the focus in 2022.
“The Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival is a showcase of the diverse cultures of the Philippines, a country of more than 7,641 islands influenced by various cultures,” said Festival Producer JP Paredes. “This vibrant festival will showcase the similarities of the Filipino culture to other cultures through dance, music, and more.”
The festival starts Saturday with a Grand Opening Ceremony, including a dance performance, remarks from producers, and key community stakeholders. Festivities continue with a culinary art exhibit by Violet Noriega, a hand-tapped tattoo demonstration by Lane Wilcken, ancient writings presented by Kristian Kabuay, and a historical exhibit by the Filipino American National Historical Society. With traditional and contemporary dance performances, a film festival, art, photography, artifacts exhibit, and children’s activities, there are tons of activities for every member of the family to enjoy.
“In One Seattle, we take pride in bringing communities together and highlighting the diversity of cultures that make our city a stronger, more vibrant place,” said Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell. “The Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival is a great opportunity to honor our city’s Filipino community and encourage others to join in and learn more about their unique traditions.”
In partnership with the Filipino Cultural Heritage Society of Washington, the Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival is a free event that has something for everyone – music, dance, food, fine arts, songs, and more – all that exemplify the art, culture, and history of a nation with a population of 100 million. Attendees will experience musical performances from the Fil-Am Society Choir, Barriotiques, Rigor Coloma, and more—culinary delights from El Koreano, Uncle Mike’s Filipino Comfort Foods, and so much more.
“Seattle Center hosts a multitude of one-of-a-kind cultural events throughout the year,” said Seattle Center Interim Director Marshall Foster. “The Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival, part of our Festál festival series, is a wonderful moment where Filipino culture, art, music and food takes center stage here at Seattle Center. We are so excited to have them back in-person this year.”
The Philippines is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, well known for its natural resources, underground rivers, pristine beaches, and very hospitable people. The Padiriwang Philippine Festival gives guests a chance to discover the unique features of its culture and a piece of that beautiful scenery.
Seattle Center Festál is a public program presented by Seattle Center in partnership with the Filipino Cultural Heritage Society of Washington. Admission is free of charge. For more information on this festival and to learn more about this collection of ethnic and cultural events, visit https://www.seattlecenter.com/festal or call 206-684-7200.
Seattle Center Festál cultivates a deeper understanding of the cultures and ethnic diversity that contribute to the rich vibrancy of the Pacific Northwest. This unique series links together 24 free festivals presented on weekends from January to November, each with its own cultural focus, identity, and range of engaging activities. Seattle Center Festál is Where the World Gathers to celebrate the people, the places, the stories, and the traditions of the city’s communities. Seattle Center Festál is produced in partnership with 24 different community groups and supported by City of Seattle, Seattle Center Foundation, 4Culture, and KUOW. Festál is also part of the ArtsFund Cultural Partners Network.
About Seattle Center
Connect to the extraordinary at Seattle Center, an active civic, arts, and family gathering place in the core of our city and region. Seattle Center’s 74-acre campus, centered around the International Fountain, is part of the Uptown Arts & Cultural District and home to Climate Pledge Arena; more than 30 cultural, educational, sports, and entertainment organizations; and a broad range of public and community programs. In everything it does, Seattle Center’s mission is to create exceptional events, experiences, and environments which delight and inspire the human spirit to build stronger communities.
In 2023 Seattle Center is expanding its role to provide maintenance and public safety services for Seattle’s new Waterfront Park, a series of new public spaces on Seattle’s downtown waterfront between Pioneer Square and the Seattle Aquarium. Seattle Center will support managing these new waterfront public spaces in partnership with the non-profit Friends of Waterfront Seattle, which offers the community a range of recreational and cultural programming. Thanks to the support of Official Seattle Center Partners – Alaska Airlines, The Climate Pledge, Coors Light, Pepsi, Premera, Symetra, T-Mobile, and WaFd Bank – Seattle Center is the #1 arts and entertainment destination in the Pacific Northwest with 12 million annual visitors, generating $1.864 billion in business activity and more than $631 million in labor income annually. www.seattlecenter.com
