Honolulu Flores de Mayo Festival Week set May 2 – 10

HONOLULU — The 3^rd Flores de Mayo Festival Week and the 23^rd Annual Filipino Fiesta, a weeklong celebration highlighting the culture of the Philippines, will take place May 2 to 10, the Filipino Junior Chamber and the Filipino Community Center announced.

Called Flores de Mayo, the festival brings to Hawaii the joy and celebrations of the month of May and the traditional fiesta time in the Philippines.

In addition to the daylong Fiesta at the Kapiolani Park on May 9, Flores de Mayo will also include:

• The Fil-Am Young Leaders Conference, May 2, Ala Moana Hotel – The Fil-Am Young Leaders Summit is open to students, young professionals, and community leaders. In an effort to bridge the gap between the new and wiser generation, The Filipino Junior Chamber will host a summit in order to develop and create leadership opportunities for young people. The summit will focus a variety of workshops and discussion groups, including a career fair, resume building, and topics that face our Filipino youth today.

• Santacruzan at the Filipino Community Center, May 3 — One of the most beloved traditions, the Santacruzan features a town’s most beautiful young ladies and their escorts in a flower-decked procession that commemorates the finding of the Holy Cross by the Reina Elena (St. Helena, mother of Constantine the Great). The Santacruzan will be accompanied by music and entertainment.

• Filipino Cook Off — So you think you can cook? The cook off will be centered around a main ingredient where all contestants will be required to make a dish that includes that ingredient. There will be three courses of competition: Appetizer, Main Dish and Dessert.

• Sine Night (Movie Night) — Sine night will feature various Filipino films with English subtitles. This event will be hosted at the FilCom Center and is FREE and open to the public.

• Other Affiliated Events — Affiliated events co-sponsored with other community groups will also be held at the FilCom Center from May 3 to May 10. Among the events being planned include the Filipino Fiesta Orientation.