The Pista Sa Nayon festival returned to Mare Island on Saturday, bringing with it a family-friendly burst of Filipino tradition and culture. The 38th annual event, held at Mare Island Coal Sheds and hosted by Vallejo’s Philippine Cultural Committee, featured the theme of “Weaving Generations of Filipino Culture and Traditions.” Also new this year was the partnership of Mare Island Brewing Co.
, debuting a special edition Pista Pilsner, created in collaboration with their Filipino-American staff. The unique brew was available exclusively at the festival. The event also had its first-ever Filipino fashion show inspired by festival organizer Jennie Mojica’s recent visit to the Philippines.
Designers like Lola Weavers (New York/San Jose), Pineapple Industries (New York), La Union Filipiniana (San Diego), Barong Barkada (San Francisco), and Vallejo’s own Barong & Formal helped with the fashion show. It is Mojica’s fourth year organizing this event, pulled off this year with just four months of preparation. “This event is really important because it allows us to share the history of what has happened in the past, and bring it forward.
” said Mojica. “I represent very proudly with our volunteer team, our elders, but that’s really why that representation is important.” There were more than 20 Filipino food vendors and more than 35 cultural retail vendors.
One of them was Lawrence Iriarte, a producer of a crowdfunded action comedy film titled “Lumpia with a Venge.
