LOS ANGELES, California — Santa Monica Blvd. is getting a full-blown Filipino holiday makeover as Island Pacific kicks off the Paskong Pinoy: BER-Kada Fiesta Series tonight at 6:00 PM (PST). Final preparations were in full swing Saturday afternoon as organizers rushed to put the finishing touches on what they’re calling one of the biggest Filipino community celebrations in Southern California this year.
For Filipinos tuning in from home, that’s 10:00 AM on November 23 in Manila — making this fiesta a true cross-Pacific holiday moment.
At the heart of the event is the show-stopping San Fernando giant lantern, a towering 20-foot symbol of Pampanga’s world-famous craft. The lantern, complete with two illuminated logos, is set to be the night’s main attraction, drawing crowds eager to witness a slice of hometown Christmas tradition thousands of miles away.
But the lantern is just the start. The BER-Kada Fiesta will also feature a food and trade fair, live music, dance performances, games, gift-giving, and an open “kumustahan” designed to bring Filipino-American communities together.
A delegation from the Philippines is joining the festivities, including San Fernando Mayor Vilma Balle-Caluag, Vice Mayor Aurelio Brenz Gonzales, and other local officials. They are expected to meet with Island Pacific executives and representatives from the Philippine Trade and Investment Center–LA, as well as welcome attendees flying and driving in from across California.
Organizers say more updates will roll out as the program unfolds — and if the early buzz is any indication, the Filipino holiday spirit is about to hit LA with full festive force.
