The Philippine Fiesta Victoria

The Philippine Fiesta Victoria 2008

The Philippine Fiesta of Victoria Inc. ( PFVI)  is celebrating its 26^th anniversary on 29-30 November 2008. The Philippine Fiesta  is indeed the time of the year that the Filipinos all over Victoria and our ‘kababayan‘ from different  states of Australia convene and celebrate one of the biggest and joyful Filipino-Australian  events.

 Headed by Ross Manuel (the present Fiesta’s chairperson), this year’s Fiesta theme veers from the  usual Filipino cultural motif,  but instead focuses on global orientation  - the staunch support for the worldwide protection of nature and  environment .

 Currently, the Philippine Fiesta executive committee is busy planning and working for the coming  of the two-day celebration. This active and dedicated group sees to it that the Fiesta this year will be bigger, busier and merrier with invited young actors gracing the occasion with the complement of  ABS-CBN.  

 Within its 26 years of existence, the Philippine Fiesta of Victoria has come a long way. It started in the summer of November 1982 when a group of  enthusiastic Filipinos, with a fervent desire to relive the colorful festivity from home, celebrated the first Philippine Fiesta ever   at the Caribbean Garden, at Knox City,  Victoria,  Australia. 

 The first Fiesta was spearheaded by the Federations of Filipino Associations of Victoria (FFAV) and  the group was composed of officers and members of the Filipino Tradesmen Association (FILTAV), Filipino Community Welfare Service (FCWS), Filipino Association of Victoria (FAV), University of the Philippines Alumni Association (UPAA), Silayan Dance Troupe (SDT) and the Filipino Friendship Society (FAF).

 Due to the success of the initial celebration, the FFAV organized another Fiesta in 1983 at Foostcray Park, a western suburb of Melbourne.  Thus, the fiesta became an annual event  because of the active participations of other Filipino-Australian organizations and the attendance of the growing Filipino-Australian populace in Victoria. For five successive year (1983-1988), the Philippine Fiesta organized by FFAV and FCW were held at Foostcray Park..

 In 1987, the Philippine Fiesta of Victoria  Inc (FPVI) was formally established and was duly incorporated through the efforts of the of the committed leaders  and members of different  community organizations in Victoria. During this period,  the  Philippine Fiesta Constitution was made and an  executive committee was formally elected.

 For years Philippine Fiesta had been celebrated in the different suburbs of Melbourne, but in 1994. the Fiesta executive committee purchased a sprawling property of 1.92 hectares in Laverton which becomes the permanent site of the annual festivity. The place was the former Laverton Primary School and is close to public transport which makes the Fiesta more accessible to a number of people. The  site becomes  a Philippine community centre wherein a number of  Filipino-Australian activities are held.

 True to its primary objective in promoting the Filipino arts, culture and traditions, the Philippine Fiesta,   during its two-day celebration,  features exhibits, paintings, songs, sports and dances that showcased the richness of our cultural heritage. 

 Through the years, the annual Philippine Fiesta has grown into a bigger proportion with people  looking forward to meet friends, taste an array of delicious Filipino cuisines and enjoy live entertainment provided by local Filipino-Australian talents and famous luminaries  from the Philippines. Every year, the number of people attending the fiesta has increased. Last year’s attendance has escalated to more than 8,000.00 individuals  The coronation of Miss and Mrs Philippine Fiesta of Victoria Quest, which greatly assists to maintain the Fiesta,  add to the gaiety and glamour  of  this yearly festivity.

 Thanks to the committed members of the Philippine Fiesta Victoria Inc. especially to the Filipino leaders, community organizations, volunteers and individuals to the success of this festive occasion and in keeping the  spirit of the Philippine Fiesta forever burning in Australia. Indeed, the Philippine Fiesta has been the truly icon of the Filipino community in Victoria.   

http://www.philfiesta.com/index.htm