118th Philippine Independence Day Celebration in San Francisco

Pop and Classical artists headline Kalayaan SF Celebration

SAN FRANCISCO, California – KalayaanSF, a San Francisco Bay Area organization that includes the Philippine Consulate General of San Francisco, non-profits, and community groups, once again has prepared exciting events for the whole community to enjoy in celebration of the 118th Anniversary of Philippine Independence.

The first event will be held on Union Square on Sunday, June 12, which falls right on the independence day itself. Highlights oft this outdoor event are pop diva and Las Vegas singing star, Lani Misalucha and heartthrob Martin Nievera.

The second event will be a full-length piano concert by world-renowned classical pianist Cecile Licad, to be held on Friday, June, 24 in the evening at Herbst Theater at the War Memorial & Performing Arts Center in San Francisco.

Kalayaan Festival

On June 12, from 12 noon to 8 p.m., as in the past years, the public will be entertained by signature “street” performances on all corners of the Square and the main stage. There will be folk dances representing the different Philippine regions, martial arts, visual artsand musical performances.

A “MarketPlace” pavilion will be set up where attendees can browse and purchase Philippine products and sample authentic Filipino cuisine.  Corporate booths will also be present where major sponsors can reach out directly to the members of the community.

Part of the festivities is a time to honor both known and unheralded heroes in the community. Each year, Kalayaan Hero Awardees are introduced to the public in a formal ceremony. KalayaanSF seeks to provide inspiration by honoring and presenting the accomplishments of these select individuals who have exemplified the highest ideals in the fields of sports, politics, arts, business, and community service. Last year’s dozen awardees included tech pioneer Dado Banatao, Golden State Warriors CFO Jennifer Cabalquinto and Emmy-winning broadcaster Lloyd LaCuesta.

The Festival will close with a free, full-length concert produced by ABS-CBN/TFC (The Filipino Channel), at the Union Square main stage. The concert will be headlined by the popular Martin Nievera and Las Vegas songbird Lani Misalucha. 

“Spark, Connect, Empower” guide KalayaanSF Independence Celebration

This year’s theme is “Spark. Connect. Empower.” According to Consul General Henry S. Bensurto Jr., "These are the thrusts that guide the KalayaanSF Team. We wish to provide a platform for the Filipino-American and Bay Area Community to appreciate the unique culture and diverse traditions of the Philippines.  We hope to empower the generations of Filipinos abroad by igniting a deeper interest in their culture and history, fostering a deeper sense of identity, and strengthening and expanding connections with one another and with the homeland."

Conrad “Radi” Calalang, chairman of KalayaanSF remarked, "This year's celebration is especially significant following a very spirited Philippine election season. We saw an unprecedented number of Filipinos and Filipino Americans participate in the national conversation and we saw a renewed interest in themes of nationalism and patriotism, regardless of the many differences in approach.”

He continued, “Looking ahead, it’s now time to build and foster unity among our kababayans, and a joyous community celebration of our national holiday is the perfect place to come together as one."

Philippine Independence Day Concert & Gala 

On Friday, June 24, KalayaanSF proudly presents a piano concert by world-renowned Filipino classical pianist Cecile Licad. It will be held at the historic and newly refurbished Herbst Theater at the War Memorial & Performing Arts Center in San Francisco.

This black-tie gala will bring together concert aficionados, City and State officials, consular representatives from various nations and guests from the Bay Area Filipino American community.

A formal reception will follow at the elegant Green Room. Aside from featuring gourmet food, guests will be entertained by top Filipino artists including classical/pop phenom, Matthew John Ignacio. The traditional formal dance, Rigodon de Honor, will be performed by community leaders and dignitaries.

For more information on these and other KalayaanSF events in the month of June, or for inquiries on sponsorship, volunteer and vendor opportunities, please visit www.KalayaanSF.com, Facebook.com/KalayaanSF, or email info@KalayaanSF.com