Maui Fil-Am Heritage Festival will showcase new features

Maui Fil-Am Heritage Festival will showcase new features
source: Maui News


THE 2013 Maui Fil-Am Heritage Festival held in celebration of Filipino-American History Month will have several new features this year when it's held from 10 am- 3 pm Saturday at the Maui Mall.


"We felt it was important to kepp improving the festival," said Sharon Zalsos, president of the festival's sponsor Maui Filipino Chamber of Commerce Foundation. "So we added several features for everyone to not only learn about Filipino-American History Month but also to enjoy our culture and our heritage."

Jenni Macalipis [left] and Joan Macalipis perform the tinikling dance, a traditional dance from the Philippines. Filipino cultue will be showcased Saturday at the Maui Mall during teh 2013 Maui Fil-Am Heritage Festival. In addition to entertainment, there will be a Master P-Noy Chef Cook Off, Speedy Balut Eating Contest and Filipino Parol-Making Contest. The event will take place from 10 am to 3 pm.

Festival features include:

*The Manong Flores Yoyo Contest. Participants in the contest, which is scheduled for after lunch, will showcase their own wizardry and talent in honor of Pedro Flores- an immigrant from Ilocos Norte and the first person to manufacture a yo-yo in the United States.


*Philippine Parol Making Contest. The first 50 youth to enter will be provided a free parol-making kit. Basic materials of glue, crepe paper and celophane will be provided. Contestants may bring their own materials to suppliment. The top three entries will receive a prize. All 50 parols will be displayed at Maui Mall during the Christmas Season. Parols must be completed on-site by 2:30 pm. The parol-making will take place in the Historical Room loacated near the stage.


*Little Filipino Fashionista. Open to children up to age 12, and it will begin at 10:30 am. The contest is limited to 25 participants, who will receive gift certificate from $10- $150. Preregistration with name and contact information at fo@mauifilipinochamber.com.


*Hoops athe festival. A basketball hoop will be set up near IHOP and the winners will be the one who makes the most hoops in the designated time. The contest will run from 10:30 am- 2:30 pm by age group.


*Revamped P-Noy Artist Contest. This year's theme for the P-Noy Artist Contest is "Filipino Ingenuity." Youth may participate in the two-dimensional and digital artwork categories.  while adults may participate in the digital artwork and photography categories. For more information, call Phil Sabado at 249-0980 or 205-2809.


*Master P-Noy Chef Cook Off. Joey Macadandang of Roy's Kaanapali returns to defend his title. The challengers will be chefs Jame [Kimo] Simpliciano and Jojo Vasquez. This year's special ingredients are paria [bittermelon] and carabasa [squash].


*Filipino Fashionista. The winner in both the female and make divisions of the Filipino attire will receive round-trip airfare to Las Vegas.


*Speedy Balut Eating Contest. Balut, a boiled egg delicacy, is a popular street food in the Philippines. There will be two age categories- 18 to 25, and 26 and over.


The festival will also include entertainment, food vendors, business booths, historical displays and photo booth.