A celebration of Filipino culture and the arts attracts large crowds to the Micronesia Mall over the weekend.

Living up to its name, which means "celebration" in Tagalog, the event aimed to reconnect Filipinos living on Guam with their roots and heritage.

The festivities included cultural dances, martial arts demonstrations, particularly Eskrima, and various other performances that showcased the beauty and pride of the Philippines.

Pagdiriwang took center stage at the mall's center court, captivating audiences with a rich display of Filipino traditions.

The President of the Filipino Community of Guam (FCOG), Patrick Luces, shared with us his joy in bringing back the event to the community.

“We're just very happy to bring it back to the community again after so many years. We have new talent, we have new members, and everyone wants to be a part of this event and next year, we plan to do something bigger and so hopefully, we can get more Filipinos to come on and join our Filipino community or other organizations.”

As a second-generation Filipino living on Guam, Luces hopes events like Pagdiriwang will also attract and reignite younger Filipinos to reconnect with their heritage.

“We do want to invite all our young members, not just young members, but all members to do something for our community. I think together, we can do a whole lot,” Luces said.

Artist Shelly Calvo, highlighted the importance of consistent exposure to Filipino culture, emphasizing that without practice, aspects such as language and traditions can be lost.

“If we don’t practice it, we lose it,” Calvo stated.

She commended the event's booths showcasing Filipino crafts, products, and food, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of being back in the Philippines.

Adding to the cultural richness of Pagdiriwang was a special appearance by Mister Philippines, Brandon Espiritu, a Guam native.

Espiritu expressed how participating in events like this helps him stay in touch with his Filipino identity and serves as a representation of the Philippines. He said,

“We actually delve deep into the Filipino culture back in the Philippines. And we did things like this throughout the whole two months before the coronation. So we were meeting with musicians, we were going to the Filipino Festival, which held art, artists, food, cuisine, and also music. And it's really cool being able to experience a culture within the arts because that's also a segue into the representation of the Phillippines.”

Pagdiriwang not only celebrated Filipino culture but also served as a platform for cultural exchange, fostering pride and connection among the diverse Filipino community on Guam.