Why is PhilFest in Tampa, Florida, has been so successful for the last twenty-seven years?
The Philippine festival in Tampa called “PhilFest” was born in 1995. The first PhilFest was held at Al Lopez Park, a public park in Tampa, Florida. The festival is the biggest fundraising event of the Philippine Cultural Foundation, Inc. (PCFI). It has Philippine food and merchandise vendors, and exhibitors, all promoting the Philippine culture, cuisine, and traditions. After a year or two, the foundation could purchase its 10-acre property. The same year, PhilFest took place on the foundation’s property. Two years later, PCFI started building its 15,000 sq. ft. Philippine center with the help of a State Grant and named it the Bayanihan Arts & Events Center, now the pride of every Filipino not only in the state of Florida but all over the USA because of its magnificent structure all from the united efforts of all the Filipinos and Filipino organizations in Tampa Bay.
Meanwhile, PhilFest was becoming more known to many that a one-day festival could not accommodate enthusiastic Filipinos, curious Americans, and other foreigners. So eventually, PhilFest became a three-day festival starting on a Friday and ending on a Sunday. Now in its 27th year, PhilFest is still getting between 10,000-12,000 people from all over Florida and beyond. One wonders, “why is PhilFest so successful and popular?” And here are the reasons why:
- There are more than 200 volunteers at PhilFest every year. They consist of the foundation’s Chairman of the Board, Board Members, presidents, and officers of the different Philippine member organizations. But to be fair to all volunteers, despite their hard work, no one is exempted from paying the required entrance fee. Everybody pays.
- There are no cash transactions at PhilFest. Guests change their cash into coupons to use when buying food or merchandise. At the end of the festival, the foundation and vendors count their coupons, and the foundation first deducts the Florida tax, then a percentage of the vendors’ net earnings as a donation to the foundation. In return, the foundation provides all vendors their tents, tables, electricity, water, sinks, garbage collection, chairs, eating areas, and Port-O-Lets.
- The Entertainment committee chaired by Nhick Pacis starts inviting performers and competitors one year in advance and produces non-stop entertainment for all three days. From folk to hip-hop dancers. Singers, LGBT performers, Latin dancers, Zumba exercises, professional caricaturists, street parades and processions, singing and dancing competitions, cultural exhibits, Philippine Embassy’s OUTREACH PROGRAM, and much more. Performers come from all over Florida and as far as Toronto, Canada; Alabama; Georgia, Chicago; California; and other neighboring states.
- ABS/CBN The Filipino Channel (TFC) imports famous Filipino celebrities from the Philippines and California to delight Filipinos coming to PhikFest.
- Cheap and convenient Parking within the property and neighboring schools and offices.
- Discounted rates from hotels for out-of-towners, all five minutes away from the festival, such as the Courtyard by Marriott, Marriott Residence Inn, Hampton Inn and Suites, and the Hilton Inn and Suites.
- Entrance fee is one of the cheapest festivals in Tampa Bay or the State of Florida. $10 per person per day, or $8 if purchased in advance.
Veterans with proper ID and children five years old and under enter FREE.- All vendors have complied with City and State rules and regulations for the last 27 years.
- The Philippine hospitality that Filipinos are known for can be felt when you enter the gates of PhilFest. And we welcome you in English!
- Because of all the hardworking volunteers and committee chairs, without generous sponsors and donors, PhilFest would not be what it is today.
“When entering the gates of PhilFest, it is like being in the Philippines without traveling the 21 hours or more flight and paying more than $2000 airfare. PhilFest is one of the best festivals I have ever attended.”
This year, PHILFEST 2023 will occur on March 31st, April 1st, and April 2nd at the Philippine Enrichment Complex at 14301 Nine Eagles Drive, Tampa, Florida 33626.
The entrance Fee is $10 per person per day, and Parking is $10 at the property. Advance discounted $8 tickets are available by calling the Bayanihan center Tuesdays to Fridays 10 am – 5 pm at (813) 925-1232 or at many Philippine outlet stores and restaurants. The Last Day to purchase advance tickets is Wednesday, March 29th.
The current Chairman of the Board of PCFI is Arnell Biglete.
PhilFest 2023 Chairman ois Vivian Furigay-Dugeon.
If Hawaii says, “ALOHA!” at PhilFest, we say, “MABUHAY!” (ma-boo-hi)
Here are some photos of past PhilFest, and see what you have been missing!
(Photos by NHICK RAMIRO PACIS)
