Joyous KalayaanSF fiesta brings out Fil-Am pride

WATCH: KalayaanSF 2015 video

SAN FRANCISCO – Filipino pride, food, products, services, achievers, entertainers – it was the Saturday that was with KalayaanSF in this city’s iconic Union Square June 27.

Easily a couple of thousand people, Filipinos, tourists and downtown shoppers lingered among the food and product booths and watched cultural dancers all day long. It’s safe to say that good time was had by all.

Thousands party it up at KalayaanSF in Union Square, San Francisco. KALAYAANSF PHOTO

Later, at the end of the day, the crowd ate up “Super Selfie King” Gab Valenciano’s dance tricks and “American Idol” star, Filipino Mexican Jessica Sanchez, who thanked her compatriots for supporting her career. Matthew John Ignacio also wowed the audience with his amped up cello performance.

Throughout the day and in various corners of the square, dancers, martial artists, singers and musicians entertained fiesta-goers, with The Filipino Channel personalities doing the hosting on stage.

Among the performers were Parangal, Mabuhay Folkloric Society, Hiyas, Filipino Dance Workshop with Johnny Veloso, Jae Tioseco, Ukelenny, Monicalaire & Charlez Mendoza, Eskabo Daan Filipino martial artists, Coro Filipino and Bay Area Fashion Week models.

Live wire Gab Valenciano wows Union Square audience with dance moves. PHOTO BY ESTHER MISA CHAVEZ

On the more formal side, KalayaanSF honored Filipino Americans who have “made a difference” in sports, politics, arts, business, education and community service. The heroes include tech trailblazer Dado Banatao; MMA champion Mark Munoz; retired broadcast journalist Lloyd LaCuesta; artists Florante Aguilar, Fides Enriquez, Carlos Zialcita; educators Rebecca Delgado Rottman, Thelma Boac, Maria Banatao, Dawn Mabalon; community leaders Dennis Normandy, Rodel Rodis, Rudy Asercion, Majjj. Gen. Tony Taguba, and political figure Mayor Chris Cabaldon.

Now on its third year, KalayaanSF is headed by its president Radi Calalang and is a collaboration with the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco led by Consul General Henry S. Bensurto.

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