PhilFest 2002 offers a great party

KEYSTONE -- On most weekdays, Benson Cruz runs dialysis machines.

But dressed in blue jeans and T-shirt Tuesday, he was something else completely: a proud Philippine food vendor looking forward to a big party.

The annual Philippine Festival gets under way today at the Philippine Cultural Enrichment Complex off Nine Eagles Drive. It typically attracts 25,000 to 30,000 visitors over three days. The colorful ethnic festival -- also known as PhilFest 2002 -- begins at 4 p.m. today and draws to a close 8 p.m. Sunday.

Cruz, a Tampa resident attending his second PhilFest, will be selling traditional ethnic dishes, such as egg rolls and Pancit, a noodle dish he likened to Chinese lo mein -- only better.

"You never make money with this," he said, though not complaining about an event he described as a good fundraiser for the local Philippine community. "We have a good time. Everybody enjoys it."

This will be the seventh PhilFest under the guidance of Jose Omila, a former member of the Bayanihan Philippine National Dance Company. After a career of world travel, he moved to Zephyrhills 13 years ago and became a force within the area's 15,000-strong Filipino community. Omila draws upon a lifetime of contacts made during his travels to bring quality entertainment to the Keystone event.

In addition to the singers, dancers and artists, one of the expected highlights will be an appearance Saturday evening by Alberto del Rosario, the Philippine ambassador to the United States.

Omila said the excitement surrounding the festival is so high that the entertainers are working for free.

PhilFest 2002 will be different than past festivals because of the recent opening of the Bayanihan Arts Center. Funded in part by a $500,000 state grant, the 14,300-square-foot building located south of the festival grounds is quickly becoming a magnet for various social and cultural events, making it a major attraction for this year's event. According to Omila, executive director of the arts center, it may be the biggest free-standing Filipino cultural center in the country.

In the Pilipino language, Bayanihan means "working together for the community good."

"And that's the meaning of our center," he said, "a common cause, a common goal."

The festival should raise between $25,000 and $40,000 after expenses. Omila said the money will be used to maintain the $1.4-million facility and fund other center events.

While Cruz hammered away outdoors, a steady trickle of volunteers began setting up displays inside for the arts exhibition, which visitors can see for free. It was a meeting of familiar faces, some of them relatives, some simply comrades from past festivals.

Doris Garrido from Reno was folding boxes for a jewelry display. Standing nearby was her sister, Claire Ick, former president of the Philippine Cultural Foundation. The foundation is the umbrella organization for local Filipino groups.

"I've been here a couple times and it's so festive," Garrido said. "I wouldn't want to miss it for anything. And it's getting better."

-- Josh Zimmer covers Keystone, Citrus Park and the environment. He can be reached at 269-5314 or zimmer@sptimes.com.

If you go

The seventh annual Philippine Festival features folk art exhibits, along with ethnic dances, songs and music on three stages. The 10-acre Philippine Cultural enrichment complex is located on Nine Eagles Drive, 3/4-mile north of Tampa Bay Downs off Race Track Road.

Festival hours:

Today -- 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Saturday -- 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Sunday -- 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Tickets: $6 at the gate, $5 if purchased in advance.

Saturday highlights:

The Philippine Pacific Dance Troupe of Ghie Aligano will perform at 2:30 p.m.

Philippine ambassador to the United States Alberto del Rosario will speak at 6:30 p.m.

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