A RETURN JOURNEY TO THE EAST

I’ll admit I wasn’t very kind in reviewing Journey to the East Banquet during my last visit. Back then although this ‘celebration of Asian culture’ was still in its toddler years, the overwhelming covers of Top-40 pop songs didn’t allow me to view ‘cultural performances’ as the event boldly proclaimed. Fast forward to last weekend—the…

DEF TALENT JAM XVIII

Countless hours of chasing choreographers, learning routines, and dancing on top of a parking garage comes to an end. Over the weekend, Gainesville FL was like a free buffet of lumpia as it attracted hundreds of Filipino college students and their barkada. The reason? The annual Def Talent Jam (DTJ)—a hot competition between Filipino groups…

USF’S ANNUAL JOURNEY TO THE EAST BANQUET

For one week, University of South Florida Asians have been smacking other cultures through food, dance, and games. It was USF’s Journey to the East celebration. (You dance hip-hop? Filipinos will show you hip-hop! You like noodles? Club ASIA will MAKE you noodles!) It was a way to proclaim talents while welcoming new students (black hair or…

MY FILL OF PHILFEST

Another annual Philippine overdose come and gone… Once a year I take a step into food stands, dirt, hot sunshine, and wrestling for a chair. Once a year I visit Philfest in Tampa to load up on all things Filipino! Compared to other Asian festivals throughout Florida, I’ve always thought of Philfest as a festival…