This was my second year as the main photographer for the Filipino American Arts Exposition (FAAE)'s annual PISTAHAN celebration. Pistahan (like fiesta) is a big cultural celebration of Filipino arts and soceity. For me, it is also a celebration of our heritage, tradition, hospitality, ingenuity, commerce, respect for elders and of families and friends coming together and giving each other the gift of warm smiles and sharing.

Prior to Pistahan, my only exposure to my culture is my recent involvement with the Filipina Women's Network when I was the photographer as well as one of the cast members for The Vagina Monologues and Usaping Puki in New York last year and in San Francisco this year to support the cause to end domestic violence. Now that I've done this for the second year in a row, let me tell you why I came back:

- the experience of meeting and talking to kababayans is priceless.
- food, food, food!!!!! Unbelievable native food - its crazy... kiss Jenny Craig goodbye :)
- listening and watching the artists, upcoming performers, talented dancers, musicians and singers! Makes me soooo proud to be there and to be a Filipino.
- One of the things I loved the most is the seniors' ballroom dancing and the food that gets served up there in the pavillion - yum and what a delight to see their bright smiles and bright clothes too :) It makes me so happy and makes me remember my lolas and lolos.
- The Sunday parade --- what fun and I hope that each year, more and more people join and participate...
- The volunteers and the organization itself --- I have never seen such generous outpour of time and effort from this bunch!

Okay, okay, this is not why you came to visit my blog. I haven't forgotten. You want to see the pictures. Well, here they are finally loaded...although I still owe you Sundays's photos and my partner-in-crime's photos (Dennis Mojado of Refracted Moments) who took most of Saturday's performances. I was doing most of the booths that day. Not but not least, I also have to include a team of young photographers who took some images from the parade. I will do my best to get it up there as soon as I can.

Below are some photos from Pistahan 2007. CONNECT. DISCOVER, CELEBRATE. To view the entire collection, you can click on the Pistahan tabs above or you can go directly to: http://owenphotographie.com/Aug1207/content/index.html

Also, to view last years, they are all on my Flickr account: http://flickr.com/photos/lexusgirl/sets/72157594240339018/
http://flickr.com/photos/lexusgirl/sets/72157594240240294

There are also many other photographers not on my team but have done a great job, I will keep posting them here as I see them but here is what I got so far, and remember to give credit to their name or website when you use their photos.

By Jerms Estrada: http://www.pbase.com/jermsest/martin_nievera
Here's Dennis' on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/refractedmoments/1224858436/
By Andrew Says: http://flickr.com/photos/pandisal/1150490971/
From Filipinas Magazine: http://www.filipinasmag.com/gallerypistahan2007.htm
from Myx: http://www.myxmusicvideos.com/photos/2007_0811_pistahan/
By Kumasawa: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kumasawa/tags/pistahan/

Also, as I was searching for more photos, I noticed there were a lot of write-up about the event...and here's one of them: http://www.thenewstoday.info/2007/08/24/a.taste.of.home.html


Definitely one of my favorite photos. I told her I'm taking photos of all the booths and when I pointed my camera at her, she said to hold on until she has her veil over her head. And wow! Look at her!


Did you see them perform? Now, mind you this kid already has an agent.


Stephanie Resse: Opera Singer, Actress, Singer (Ms. Saigon, The King and I, Hunchback of Notre Dame)


Roscoe Umali: Hip Hop Artist, Suma Cum Laude -hey I learned that from his intro - cool!



Okay, will someone remind me their dance group name?


Them too ---have you seen them perform...awesome guys!


Funky, Hip and Cool!


Your Pistahan experience would not have been complete if you have not visited the Heritage Pavillion.


Sungka, Face painting, storytelling, community mural and Pabitin (catch a prize until your neck hurts...childhood memories.


PRESS: She's so cute...I have another picture of her clapping and cheering the crowd



Amazing work by the crew backstage...and did you see Bernardo-Bernardo perform as well...He just brought magic to both days....wow! More photos of him later :)


A little demo - neck chop hiya!


Some of the volunteers...see me in my brown pants?...the beauty of time release. I finally got one of me in my pics


Dance Pavillion


Time out for a touch-up



Tama Na: End Domestic Violence: Filipina Women's Network - YES!


Where its Happening


Have you subscribed yet? Great Mag!


What did you get?



Ok, go check out my site: http://owenphotographie.com/Aug1207/content/index_12.html and I will be loading them to my flickr as well: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lexusgirl/Pls. make sure that if you are using any of these photos to post online to just pls. give credit and linkback to my photography site: http://owenphotographie.com or to any photographer whose work you want to "use and promote".

If you want to order photos that are re-touched or you wish to be re-touched, or if you and/your team wish to book a photo session or event, or to be notified of my promotions and offer, or if you have any questions at all, feel free to send me an e-mail at owenphotographie@gmail.com.

Okay, now I have to start working on the rest of the photos from Sunday and yes photos of MARTIN NIEVERA.