Tampa, Fla. (WFLA) – The Tampa Asian American Pacific Island Festival is just a few days away. Filipino natives use dance backgrounds to cultivate cultural performances at the festival.
Tampa Mayor’s Asian American Pacific Islands Council is preparing for the AAPI Festival, which will be held on Saturday, March 22nd, at Curtis Hixon Park.
Several Asian companies are represented, including Korea, the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, India, Japan, Indonesia, Taiwan, and Malaysia.
The community can expect Asian cultural performances, delicious food, authentic products and some activities.
Dance is a major part of the island culture of Asia and the Pacific. Joey O’Milla, who works for Tampa’s AAPI Council, knows firsthand.
“I grew up on various islands in the Philippines. There are 7,641 islands,” Omira said. “When I graduated from university, I was already busy, but I auditioned for the International Dance Company.”
Omira represented her country by touring the world’s dance and modeling. He played for the Queen and King of various countries, and eventually won the title of Lord Chamberlain.
“It’s in our blood, we love to dance,” Omira said.
After serving her country for over a decade, Omira joined the family in Tampa. Omira wants to raise awareness by raising awareness in Philippine culture, and in 1993 he helped to establish the Philippine Cultural Foundation.
“We built a 10-acre property and a Philippine centre,” Omira said.
Thirty-two years later, the center is still here, with Omira, passionate about his culture and dance experience, leading the entertainment division of Tampa’s AAPI Festival.
“I’m proud to be asked to lead the entertainment division because I knew our culture was recognized and that I could deal with Chinese, Indians and Hawaiians for travel,” Omira said.
Omira thinks the festival isn’t just a great time. It’s time to get out of your comfort zone and learn/experience a new culture.
“If you want to know more about things outside of America, these are the types of festivals you have to go to,” Omira said. “You learn food, what is it?” Whether people welcome diversity or not, we continue what we do for the people of Tampa Bay. ”
