Maui Taylor that is the name that my friend told me. The reason why I was persuaded to go to Scotland just to attend the Barrio Fiesta in Glasgow. Imagine sexy actres member of the viva Hotbabes, which was the fantasy of every young men and boys in my college days. Just a picture of her in a Tanduay calendar, "may rebolosyon na sa pantalon", how much more in personal. But I was frustrated, even the shadow of Maui Taylor did not show up. It came up to my mind, is this how they gather spectators or audiences? Maybe they did not do well last year, that is why they have this strategy. If that so, I can say that they do not have enough planning or even worst leadership. I am very sorry to United Filipino Community Scotland to say this, but that is my opinion. Every person had the right to vocalize what they might think.
PIOLO PASCUAL
It is very hard to believe that even here in a foreign land, there are no integrity of what we promised. How much more in our country. But anyway I still waited, maybe I was late that is why I did not saw the Maui Taylor character or any famous Filipino personality. So I waited, maybe I can see some actres or actor,even not so famous but at least they materialized of what my friend had said. But the only famous personality that I saw is Piolo Pascual which was printed in a trampoline in one of the booth sponsor. Maybe that is the reason why barrio fiesta in Scotland is not as popular like some other barrio fiestas around the UK such as London, Manchester and Birmingham. But anyway there are some positive factor, one of which is the master of ceremony (MC) which was very creative that he can improvise a scene just to make the crowd alive, I can say well done "pre".
PISTA
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| the master of ceremony mr Jojo Almojuela with miss Gen Ashley (L) and friend "pwede mo sya e hire" |
In short the barrio fiesta in Glasgow is like a coffee without enough coffee and sugar, "alanganin sa timpla". So what is a Barrio fiesta?, to have a good view of a Barrio fiesta we can go back to our Filipino tradition and culture definition, not just to have a Santa Cruzan and a noisy concert , but a full variety of events. Barrio fiesta is a day that you will not forget! There will be dances, jokes, songs, shirts, Filipinos, and FOOD! many, I mean loads of delicious Filipino food!
This event in Tagalog, means Neighborhood Party, which is exactly what it is! In the Philippines, people loved to gather together to enjoy these mini-festivals. Members of the community would then bring whatever they could to the celebration, whether it be food or talents in music and dance, Barrio has always been known to bring people together, no matter who you are or where you are from, you are invited as a guest or as an active part of some of the big themes that define what it means to be Filipino, our Food, our Friendship, and our bonds as a family.
Barrio Fiesta is the biggest event in every corner of our native land, which combines traditional aspects of the Pinoy culture.
WHAT IF
What if, we will not promise of any famous Filipino personalities, but to ask every Filipino in Scotland to bring food of their own, from letchon to calderita to a single fried galonggong will do, it will make a difference. What if, we can ask every Filipino to bring and we will eat together and share our food. People from Aberdeen to Glasgow or any other part of the country will eat and share what they had. What if we can organized parlor games or any traditional Filipino games that we can think of, so that we can introduce it our foreign husband and children and to the younger generations which they did not experienced. The games such as tombang preso ( glasgow vs edinburgh for instance) or palo sebo or planting rice, tago-an, bato lata etc., There are many things that we can create, not so expensive, but with the spirit of being a Filipino. Filipinos in Scotland is one big happy BARANGAY.