Community spirit served up with lechon

Bayanihan, which reflects the Filipino tradition of cooperation and civic unity, will be celebrated at Kingston Butter Factory Cultural Precinct this June.

The Bayanihan Festival is the Filipino Australian Brisbane Society Inc.’s biggest event of the year and draws crowds in the thousands.

‘We picked June because of Filipino Independence Day on 12 June, which is when we became free from external rule for the first time in more than 300 years,’ Society President Dixie Morante says.

‘And what better place than Logan, one of the most multicultural regions in South East Queensland. Many local businesses and dance academies will be involved – about 60 to 70 per cent of our performers and stallholders are Logan-based.

‘Logan City Council has given us grant funding, so we wanted to give back by supporting Logan businesses and showcasing the talent and excellence in the community.’

Attendees can look forward to cultural performances, trade and information stalls, children’s activities and most importantly, lechon.

Lechon, a whole spit-roasted pig cooked over open coals, is only eaten during special occasions when there are plenty of mouths to feed.

‘Food is the number one thing, a lot of cross-cultural interaction takes place because of food,’ Dixie says.

‘When there’s more interaction, you get more understanding – it breaks cultural barriers.

‘The more culture there is, the more vibrant the whole community becomes.’

The festival will also showcase the culture of other multicultural communities, with stalls and performances by local Japanese, Chinese and Polynesian associations.

‘The event is free so everyone has access, meaning anyone and everyone can come,’ Dixie says.

‘Filipinos are very sociable people, always out and about and we wanted to show who we are as Filipinos, increase our presence in the multicultural community and let people experience the Philippines for a day.’

To celebrate Philippines’ 125 years of independence this year, a special parade will be held with 125 children in participation while 125 pigeons are released. Financial sponsors will also be holding up a house that symbolises bayanihan.

The word bayanihan can be traced back to the Filipino tradition of neighbours rallying together to carry houses away on stilts when areas became flooded.

Dixie hopes the festival will increase Filipino representation in the community.

‘We are now the fifth largest community in South East Queensland, so this event will also amplify the efforts and talents of Filipinos,’ she says.

Get more details on Bayanihan Festival.

The Bayanihan Festival is supported by Logan City Council’s Community Event funding.