Barrio Fiesta celebrates Filipino culture in Bay County

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - A celebration of Filipino culture brought the community together Sunday afternoon to honor traditions, family and community.

The event, called a Barrio Fiesta, is a traditional Filipino celebration bringing the sights, sounds and spirit of the Philippines to Panama City.

Grace Burns, president of the Filipino American Association of Bay County, said the event allows the community to gather.

“We can gather and enjoy the food and speak our language all together,” Burns said.

Mark Bunoy, vice president of the Filipino American Association of Bay County, said the event is their way of passing down heritage to the next generation.

“And we are so proud of our culture, so we are trying to teach our kids not to leave that path of culture,” Bunoy said.

Attendees enjoyed traditional food, dance and music.

“ We miss our home, that’s why we have this type of organization so we can feel the camaraderie, since we’re here in America, we are trying to share that culture that we have back in the Philippines to our local community,” Bunoy said.

“It’s also very important to practice what we call Kapwa. Kapwa is being together as one no matter what place you were.”

Attendees came from different backgrounds, celebrating as one.

“It’s like a family no matter who you are, it doesn’t matter what is your race, as long as you come to our party, you are brother or you are a sister,” Bunoy said.

The event also doubled as a fundraiser, with some proceeds benefiting local charities and organizations in the Philippines.

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