Barrio Fiesta’s slate of food and fun set for May 26-27
Dancers perform bulaklakan, a traditional Filipino dance, during the 2022 Barrio Fiesta. Photos courtesy Binhi at Ani
Army National Guard Sgt. Ralph Alginn Maguddayao salutes during the veterans memorial service at the 2022 Barrio Fiesta. Photos courtesy Binhi at Ani
Dancers perform bulaklakan, a traditional Filipino dance, during the 2022 Barrio Fiesta. Photos courtesy Binhi at Ani
Army National Guard Sgt. Ralph Alginn Maguddayao salutes during the veterans memorial service at the 2022 Barrio Fiesta. Photos courtesy Binhi at Ani
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The Maui News
The 54th annual Barrio Fiesta will be held May 26-27 in Kahului, featuring contests, traditional dances and a lechon demonstration in a yearly celebration of Filipino culture.
The event will take place from 5 to 10 p.m. May 26 and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. May 27 at Binhi at Ani Filipino Community Center.
"We are pleased to again present the annual Barrio Fiesta," Binhi at Ani President Melen Agcolicol said in a news release Monday. "We continue to refocus on sharing our rich Filipino culture -- whether it's through food, entertainment, exhibits and contests. It's really a continued perpetuation of our culture so our youth will not forget their roots and the rest of Maui can appreciate our Filipino culture as well."
This year's fiesta will feature traditional Filipino foods as well as contests, pageantry and special events.
Cultural entertainment will highlight both nights. On May 26, Dance International Production will perform at 7:30 p.m. and Bailes de Pilipinas at 8:30 p.m. Performers on May 27 will include Sto. Niño Organization of Maui at 6:30 p.m., Students of Aggie Cabebe at 7:30 p.m., Kaanapali Beach Hotel and Wailea Marriott at 8:30 p.m. and La Galería: Compañía Baile Filipino at 9 p.m.
Contests will kick off with The Barrio Fiesta Voice at 8:30 p.m. May 26, with a $500 prize for the winner. On May 27, there will be several more contests, including Do the Sungka at 10:30 a.m., Climb the Greased Pole Contest at 1 p.m., Sabado Art Foundation Keiki Art Party at 2 p.m., Da Pansit Eating Contest at 3 p.m., Any Kine Sisig Challenge at 3:30 p.m. and Barrio Wear Contest at 7 p.m. All contests have a $500 prize, except the Barrio Wear Contest, which offers $250 to the male winner and $250 to the female winner.
Pabitin will also be held at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. May 26, and 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. May 27.
Inside the center, there will be a replica of a bahay kubo created by the Bahay Kubo Heritage Foundation. Cultural villages created by local groups and residents depicting provinces/regions of the Philippines will also be featured and graded, with the best village receiving a $500 prize.
Two local students will also be vying for the title of Miss Barrio Fiesta -- Kiara Ganoy, a seventh grader at Lahaina Intermediate and the daughter of Loren and Diana Ganoy, and Naeomi Paa, a sophomore at Maui High and the daughter of Richard and Jeanice Paa. The 2023 Miss Barrio Fiesta also will be crowned at 7 p.m. May 26.
The Miss Barrio Fiesta queens will also participate in The Santa Cruzan, depicting the finding of the holy cross by Queen Helena at 6:30 p.m. May 26. Other special events will include the veterans memorial service at noon on May 27, the introduction of the Miss Maui Filipina contestants at 6 p.m. May 27 and the Outstanding Housekeepers Awards at 8 p.m. May 27.
A lechon demonstration is also being arranged for 4:30 p.m. May 27.
There will also be drawings at 10 p.m. each night for a $500 travel certificate. No entry fee is required, and entries are limited to one entry per person 18 years or older with a government-issued ID.
The Philippine Consulate General of Hawaii will also have a booth to provide information on their services.