Celebrating the 40th Annual Barrio Fiesta

By Yungib Ramil
Featured Article, May 2009 Issue
Front Page


"This year's Barrio Fiesta is significant because it will be celebrated in conjuction with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Hawai'i statehood. We invite everyone to participate in the scheduled programs for the three-day event."

With those words, Mrs. Norma Barroga, president of Binhi at Ani, the sponsoring organization, signaled the tone of the 40th Annual Barrio Fiesta. As in past years the festivities will be held during the Memorial Day weekend, Friday afternoon to Sunday, May 22-24, at the Wailuku War Memorial soccer field, corner of Kaahumanu Avenue and Mahalani Street.

The soccer field will be converted into a small Philippine farm village featuring 10 or more food concession and cultural exhibit booths constructed in the simple traditional style of "bahay kubo."

Ryan Sagayaga, the general chairman, has spent considerable time and energy, getting everything organized and coordinated, and contacting and urging various Filipino-oriented organizations to get involved and Maui businesses to support the Barrio Fiesta.

Key people assisting Sagayaga are Ferdinand Cajigal, Randy Cruz, Fred Dagdag, Florante Garcia amd Richard Ped.

Mayor Charmaine Tavares of the County of Maui will lead the opening ceremonies Friday evening. Also scheduled on opening night are greetings from the 50th Anniversary Statehood Commission, a Santacruzan and Flores de Mayo procession, folkdance performances by Dance International under the direction of Madelaine Pascua, and presentation of outgoing Miss Barrio Fiesta, Annastaceya Archangel.

Saturday program will include a "pabitin," games, talent contest, "sunka" demonstration, and eskrima exhibition under the direction Randy Cabanilla of Ola'a Nalu.

The hightlight of the Saturday evening program will the coronation of 2009 Miss Barrio Fiesta. Four are vying for the title. They are: Victoria Alakai- Maui Waena Intermediate student, daughter of Cathy and Clifford Alakai; Daisy Andres- Lahainaluna High student, daughter of Danny and Emelyn Andres; Janelle Badua-Maui High student, daughter of Daniel and Judith Badua; and Thalia Gaxiola- Maui High student, daughter of Kim and Cesar Gaxiola.

Sunday events will include more folkdance performances by Madelaine Pascua's Dance International, the "polo sebo" greased polo climbing contest, barrio wear contest, and luncheon with lechon as main dish.

The weekend festivities will conclude with presentation of awards.

The Barrio Fiesta steering committee urges one and all to join the celebration that is meant to be of the major events in the observance of the 50th anniversary of Hawai'i statehood.***
__________________________________________________