About Us:

Welcome to another exciting year celebrating Filipino American culture and community! This year's free two-day festival kicks off with the Pistahan Parade on SATURDAY, August 9. It is the only major Filipino American parade on the West Coast, with over 100 parade contingents and colorful floats. Opening ceremonies begin at 10 a.m. on Main Street at Market Street, followed by a cultural parade at 11 a.m. along Market, ending at the Yerba Buena Gardens for the Pistahan Festival celebration.

2008 event highlights include the premiere of the San Francisco Filipino American Jazz Festival with headliner Charmaine Clamor, world-class performances by Broadway, Hollywood and local rising stars. By popular demand, we'll bring back the popular adobo cook-off and the balut eating contest, and we'll introduce a new event: longanisa eating contest, all sponsored by Mama Sita's. Come bring the whole family for a Filipino cultural experience like no other. With over 400,000 Filipino Americans in the Bay Area, the Pistahan is the gathering place to celebrate Filipino American culture, pride and community.

I would like to sincerely thank our presenting sponsors, AsianWeek and ABS-CBN, for their continued support as well as our premier media sponsors Wild 94.9 and Pinoy Today. A million thanks to the Yerba Buena Gardens and MJM management team and staff for their support over the last 15 years! Thanks for supporting and nurturing Pistahan. My heartfelt thanks to all the Pistahan volunteers for their boundless energy to work on the success of the festival. This festival is truly a labor of love by so many creative and passionate people. I'm so proud to be a part of this experience.

We invite you to come join us at this year's Pistahan Parade and Festival and help us celebrate our 15th anniversary.

Respectfully yours,