In celebration of Filipino American History Month, the Harvard Square Philippine Alliance (HSPA), collaborating with the Philippine Consulate General in New York, held the first Filipino American Festival on October 9, 2022 at Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts, coinciding with the 43rd Annual Oktoberfest and Honk Parade.
Consul Ricarte Abejuela III headed Consulate delegation, which joined the HSPAA organizers in the nearly two hour long Honk parade starting from Davis Square to Harvard Square. Spectators were entertained by Filipino-American contingents from Cebu Inc, Gingoognons in the USA, and the Mutya Philippine Dance Company of Philadelphia, with colorful costumes and graceful street dancing.
The 43-year annual event, which took place on Church St. and Brattle St., has been hosted in the Square every year since 1978. Several live music stages were set up throughout the Square, featuring an array of bands from Cambridge and beyond. Filipino artists and bands, including social media sensation EZ Mil, performed on a stage located in a Church St. parking lot, alongside booths set up by local Filipino-owned businesses serving Filipino dishes.
Also participating in the FilAm Festival was Tourism Representative Francisco Lardizabal who had a booth promoting top destinations in the Philippines.
The project was conceptualized by the HSPA led by Catherine Uy and Satrick Uy following discussions with Consulate officials. The Harvard Square Alliance estimated the number of total attendees to the whole event at 80,000 people.
