Dancing, sparring, telling stories, and, of course, consuming lumpia, Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike celebrated the 40th Annual Pista Sa Nayon on Mare Island Saturday.
The event, a day-long celebration of the Philippines' history and culture and one of Vallejo's biggest events, had the theme this year of “kwentuhan,†or storytelling.
The theme “is a reminder that our stories are how we honor our past, stay connected in the present and inspire the next generation to carry our culture forward,†said Jen Mojica, the event's producer and chair.
Pounding out a fusillade that brought onlookers to attention, the Jesse Bethel High School Drumline led the parade that opened the events.
They were followed by a procession including Kababyan Kids, the Philippine Consulate General, Shine Dance Fitness, and the Kembot Dance Team.
“Dancing in general is a Filipino thing,†said Lyn Luciano of Benicia, a Zumba instructor and part of the Kembot team.
Twenty-three percent of the 123,475 people living in Vallejo are Asian, and the city has a proud Filipino heritage. Over the decades, many Filipinos were stationed at Mare Island Naval Shipyard and then settled in Vallejo.
The extent of the community was apparent at the event, which regularly draws an estimated 10,000 people. Headliners Spanky and Roger Rigor of VST & Company, featuring Bootleg Orchestra and The Balikbayans, along with Filipino American dance music icon Jocelyn Enriquez and award-winning Filipino singer Jed Madela, were scheduled to perform.
The many vendors' booths tucked inside the Coal Sheds were crowded with customers.
One of the most crowded booths was Sunkissed Pinay Jewelry. The bracelets, necklaces, and earrings represent Filipino culture. A popular item was the Philippine Sun necklace. It resembles the golden sun with eight rays in the Philippine national flag.
The dogbarongs for sale at the Sandiwa Collection booth got a lot of attention as well. The barong, formally known as the Barong Tagalog, is a traditional shirt of the Philippines. The shirts are embroidered and often sheer, and they looked hilarious on the dogs in photos on display in the booth.
Also in the Coat Sheds was a ring where martial artists from Grand Master Mel Orpilla's Island Warriors Dojo practiced Balintawak Arnis, a traditional  Filipino martial art specializing in stick and knife defense. Orpillla is a longtime Vallejo resident and Filipino historian.
For those a little less vigorously inclined, the food booths up and down the walkway were irresistible as the breeze carried the aroma of lumpia and other treats to the attendees strolling up and down. Ube cassava cake, a traditional dessert, adobo, pretty much the national dish of the Philippines, lechon, and calamansi were only a few of the traditional Filipino comestibles on sale.
Asked for her favorite part of Pista Sa Nayon, Josie Baguyo said, “The food.†Her favorite is pancit, a traditional Filipino noodle dish typically consisting of stir-fried noodles cooked with chicken or pork.
Erik Vides, who grew up in Vallejo, brought his daughter Keomi and his son Kingston to help with the storytelling theme of the event.
“We volunteered our limo as a vehicle†for elders to tell their stories, he said. He owns and runs Elysian Napa Wine Tours, and brought his company limo for kwentuhan, or storytelling.
“My children are volunteering. Anybody can come share their story,†Vides said. “They get in the limo, and my children prompt the elders with questions.â€
The questions include, “Where did your story begin? Were you born in the Philippines or here in the States?†and “In just one sentence, what is the best way for my generation to keep our traditions alive?â€
“We're preserving Filipino stories one conversation at a time,†Vides said.
