At first, it seems like any other social gathering with some perhaps more garishly dressed individuals.
The usual suspects were in attendance, but things were about to get really wild, really fast — looks can be deceiving.
Capping-off Asian-Pacific Heritage Month, the Filipino-American Association of Iwakuni held its 14th annual Pistahan sa Nayon, or Town Festival, in the Club Iwakuni ballroom here May 30.
According to the asianpacificheritage.gov Web site, Asian-Pacific Heritage Month originally was established as a one-week celebration by President Jimmy Carter in 1978. In 1990, George H.W. Bush extended the celebration to a whole month.
But, the official designation of Asian-Pacific Heritage Month didn’t occur until 1992 when it was signed into law.
According to the site, May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States May 1843 and to commemorate the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad May 1869.
Taking a moment to reflect on what months like this mean is important for a full cultural understanding of the U.S. as a whole.
“Though we are a nation of different races, our hearts beat as one,” said Chaplain Juan Cometa.
Getting caught up in American history is easy, but in reality, America is an amalgamation of cultures and ignoring individual cultures is to ignore the rich tapestry of American history.
So remembering and experiencing those traditions is critical to increase cultural understanding and awareness.
“It’s important for people to know your culture for understanding,” said Chief Petty Officer Jerwin Afable. “It’s like a marriage.”
Representing the Asian-Pacific heritage is about creating friendships with everyone by sharing our culture, said Jordan Kroell, the Fil-Am Association of Iwakuni outgoing president.
The origins of Pista sa Nayon festival adapt perfectly to the ever expanding world community.
According to www.pista.org, Pista sa Nayon was a town gathering to celebrate good harvests and a time to focus on neighbors, family and friends to solidify a sense of community.
As times have changed and Filipinos have spread in the world, they now can share the festival with the world community.
Besides promoting better understanding, the family focus is not lost as the celebration not only keeps the traditions alive in the parents, but also passes the torch of cultural identity to the children.
In keeping with upholding those traditions, the performance of the Santa Cruzan Parade, a showing of the town belles selected for both beauty and their embodiment of traditional feminine qualities, struck a chord with the guest of honor Philippine Consul General Maria Lourdes V. Ramiro Lopez.
The whole performance demonstrated the Fil-Am societies’ commitment to remembering their Filipino heritage said Lopez. In particular, the Santa Cruzan is a vivid reminder of the virtues important to Filipino culture.
All in all the night forged lasting bonds of friendship through cultural celebration.
“I think that we’re all Filipino tonight,” said Col. Michael A. O’Halloran, station commanding officer.
Although specific to the event, the words sum up Asian-Pacific Heritage Month up as a whole — every day is a chance to experience and become part of another culture.