Kalayaan Filipino Festival 2023 was a notable and was a historical milestone for the Filipino-South Australian community in Adelaide. This was a collaborative celebration to commemorate and celebrate the 125th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the Philippine Republic of the community. Over 3000 people poured into Bonython Park from all over South Australia to celebrate the Philippine Independence Day with music, food, and of course, their culture. With gratitude, the Kalayaan Team is proud to announce that Kalayaan Fil Fest 2023 was a success, and it wouldn’t be possible without the support from our dedicated volunteers. Kalayaan Fil Fest 2023 was proudly sponsored by Sabayan Filipino Creative and Cultural Collective, Asia Pacific Group - Migration and Education Consultancy, Queensford College, Adelaide Virtus Institute, Expert Education Visa Services and Study Adelaide, and supported by 118 Kovenant Restaurant and Cafe, Noyski Ilonggo Grill and Loreto Pinoy Store, Mama Sita’s, Budok's Cebu Lechon, Ethnic Radyo Pilipino Inc and 5EBI 103.1 FM Adelaide. OUR PURPOSE: Our goal was clear from the beginning: to provide a platform for the community to break down barriers, find freedom from things that keep us from connecting with one another, then to actively engage with those in our community, encourage and foster real connections, offer sincere support, and establish a safe space for all, all the while encouraging a sense of pride in our heritage and celebrating our shared identity as Filipinos. To personify unity that we aimed for within the community, we invited different organisations to join us in our historical event to highlight many positive contributions of Filipinos, especially in South Australia and emphasise the importance of creating a safe and supportive community where Filipinos can be a part of, whether they are a new arrival or not. Kalayaan Fil Fest 2023 was divided into a three-part program: • Kataas-taasan was officiated with a morning Sunday Mass graced by Fr. Franco Lacanaria and hymns sang by Circle of Friends choir, followed by a car blessing. • Kagalang-galang comprised the formal part of the event took place and was led by our warm and adoring hosts, Ms. Kate Mausisa and Gabriele Ramos. The program was also comprised with Flag hoisting, significant speeches from our dignitaries, Miriam Cocking, Hon. Irene Pnevmatikos MLC, Dr. Reynaldo Dante G. Juanta and Hon. Jing Lee MLC; followed by astonishing traditional dancing presented by the talented Juan-take Juanders (Kuratsa, Pandanggo sa Ilaw at Tinikling) and Ms. Clai Pasion (Kulintangan at Pangalay). The crowd was also serenaded by two of the powerhouse musician and singers in Adelaide, Mr. Brian Ruiz and Mr. Marky Canios in two separate adorned performances. Kalayaan hosts also threw some engaging trivia games and a Pantang Makabayan challenge with generous prizes to give away to those who can recall and recite it. Lastly, the Filipino-South Australian community was introduced to Adelaide Choral Ambassadors (ACA), an all-Filipino, Adelaide-based community choir who sang some folk and kundiman Filipino songs that surely captured the heart of the ones who’ve heard and seen them. Some had said that it felt like ‘home’ hearing the hymns from a high-calibre choral performance by the ACA. • Adelaide’s Filipino Music Bands (LOKI, SUDA, Checkered & Stripes, SMB, JMSBND and Alan’s Project) conspired for a back-to-back performance and played different music genres from different eras in the OPM world. The attendees were dazed by Jeremy Callado with his heartfelt poem about freedom, dedicated for the historical event that is the Philippine Independence Day. Documented by Ivan Padilla of The Endless Pictures