Bay Area girds for Philippine Independence Day celebration

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SAN FRANCISCO—A series of events are set to be held in the San Francisco Bay Area to commemorate the 114th Anniversary of Philippine Independence, organizers said.

The celebration will kick off on June 10 with the “Kalayaan Festival 2012” at Kennedy Community Park in Union City.

This year’s theme for the Philippine Independence Day celebration is “A New Generation of Heroes: Connect. Inspire. Empower.”

The Bay Area Filipino American Community, in partnership with the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, is organizing the events.

The theme was chosen to inspire young individuals to become leaders, not just for the Filipino American community, but for all those in the Bay Area and even beyond the borders of California.

Organizers said that this is the time for today’s leaders to connect and engage with the youth in our community, inspire them to be future leaders, and empower them as they reach to achieve their goals and affect positive changes in the community.

Together with the city of Union City, this free event will feature live entertainment from Filipino American talents including performances from April Labson, Ram Lopez, and Allan Manalo and Bindlestiff Studio. Designer Crisanta Malig will also be there to showcase her latest inspirations in a fashion parade, as well as a Philippine Martial Arts exhibition by Eskabo Daan.

The all-ages lineup will be headlined by Radio Disney singer, songwriter, and actress Amber Lily and Philippines’ balladeer singer Stella Ruiz. Kalayaan Festival will be emceed by comedian and award-winning director Bernardo Bernardo.

Other events scheduled for the week include:

• June 11, 2012, 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM: Young Professionals Networking Mixer, sponsored by Power Ng Pinoy; Guest speaker: “Personal Branding for Youth” by Pocholo Gonzales; Location: Century House and Gardens, 37447 Fremont Blvd, Fremont

• June 13, 2012, 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM: Entrepreneurs Networking Mixer; Guest speakers: Geraldine Solon, renowned author and producer; Barry Picazo, restaurateur entrepreneur; Lili Tarachand, entrepreneur; Location: Fort McKinley Restaurant & Bar, 101 Brentwood Dr, South San Francisco

• June 14, 2012, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM: A Night of Comedy, sponsored by Bindlestiff Studio; Special performance by Taste Better Wit (aka Tdub); Location: Bindlestiff Studio, 185 6th St, San Francisco

• June 15, 2012, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Baybayin Lecture & Workshop, sponsored by Baybayin.com; Speaker/Instructor: Christian Cabuay, artist and entrepreneur; Location: Philippine Center Social Hall, 447 Sutter St, 5th Floor, San Francisco

• June 16, 2012, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Filipino Film Screenings: Forgotten Soldiers, Power Ng Pinoy TV Episodes, Baybayin Documentary; Location: Philippine Center Social Hall, 447 Sutter St, 5th Floor, San Francisco

For more information, visit: www.KalayaanSF.org, www.facebook.com/KalayaanSF, www.twitter.com/KalayaanSF