Pista de Resistance

Filipinos love the chance to get together, and are proud of their community spirit. What better way to mix the two than by holding a Filipino ball – or Pista – to raise money for local charities and the Filipino victims of Typhoon Ketsana? We got the lowdown on November 7’s Pista ball from two prominent members of Beijing’s Filipino community, Jaime FlorCruz and Vlad Reyes.

How has Beijing changed since you first came here?
Jaime FlorCruz: Beijing has changed immensely. It used to be known as “Red China,” a “hermit kingdom cloaked behind the bamboo curtain.” Now Beijing has evolved into an energized cosmopolitan city, a growing melting pot of diverse cultures and peoples. This was unimaginable 30 years ago.
Vlad Reyes: I first visited Beijing in 1995 and I remember that the streets weren’t so clean, people dressed alike, and there were few cars on the streets. When I came back in 2002, I saw that the city had changed a lot. There were a lot more high-rise apartments, the Fourth Ring Road had just opened and the Fifth Ring Road was being built. There were more cars on the road [than before] and people were more expressive in what they wore. The Chinese character chai (拆; demolish) was on many hutong walls that were to be torn down, giving way to more high-rise buildings.

How does the size of the Filipino community in Beijing compare now with what it was then?
JF: There were only scores of Filipinos when I first arrived in 1971. Now I believe there are over 500 Filipinos in Beijing, maybe more.

Are there many events where the Filipino community can get together in Beijing?
JF: Filipinos here gather to celebrate special occasions like Philippine Independence Day and Christmas. Sometimes we get together to attend concerts by performing artists and cultural groups who visit Beijing. More often, we gather in restaurants and bars and in homes, where we share food, drinks and laughter.
VR: Whether it is for formal celebrations, birthdays or even just an impromptu event during the weekends or holidays, Filipino people love getting together. The Filipino community is a very close-knit society that enjoys socializing.

What’s the story behind the ball on November 7?
JF: The Filipino community in Beijing, with the help of the Philippine Embassy, is organizing the Philippine Ball. The core organizing team is mostly made up of Beijing-based professionals who share common goals. We wish to highlight Philippine culture and Filipino talents.
VR: This year’s Philippine Ball has a “Pista” theme, which means fiesta. Filipinos celebrate numerous occasions, such as national events or religious holidays, with a Pista. We aim to gather the Filipino community together with our expatriate friends to raise funds to help a couple of charitable institutions.

Which charities are you supporting?
JF: The Beijing International Committee for Chinese Orphans (BICCO), which helps congenitally disabled orphans.
VR: We are also supporting the Child Health In Life and Development (CHILD) Foundation of the Philippine General Hospital. CHILD provides medical assistance to children who require complicated operations. Additionally, we are also channeling a portion of the proceeds to the victims of the recent floods in the Philippines.

This isn’t the first charity ball arranged by the Filipino community in Beijing. How successful was the last event?
VR: Pista is the second Philippine Ball to be held in Beijing. The first was held in 2007 and the theme was “Rigodon” – a type of formal dance. That event raised over RMB 120,000 for the Grace Rehabilitation Center, which is part of BICCO.
JF: Weeks before the event, all of the tickets were sold out. We had to add several seats in the large ballroom at the Hilton hotel. We opted not to hold a ball last year because we were all tied up with the Beijing Olympics.

How important are events like this for reaching out to and raising funds for charities and NGOs in Beijing?
JF: We all love to throw a good party and partake of fine food, drinks and fun-loving company. However, it’s just as important to give back to the community, to charities and NGOs in Beijing; doctors say it’s good for our health. We Filipinos are proud of a tradition called “bayanihan,” or community spirit. Bayanihan is all about coming together to help neighbors, or pitching in to help the community. Holding events like the Philippine Ball is a kind of bayanihan.
VR: As expatriates, we live a rather comfortable life here in Beijing. Yet we are surrounded by a lot of people who are in need.
Fundraising events like this are a small way we can give back to the community we live in.

Is it difficult organizing an event like this?
JF: Yes, it is. We’ve been planning this for several weeks now on and off. We have a versatile group of organizers and dedicated volunteers, so preparations are going well.
VR: Putting together a fundraising event involves a lot of people and numerous tasks that need to be accomplished even before the ball starts. The most important aspect is to have a core group of people who are dedicated and passionate about the objectives of the ball – to raise funds for charity while having fun showcasing Filipino talent.

What can guests expect?
JF: Expect to eat sumptuous food, drink Philippine beers and rum, and dance to the music of Philippine bands and laugh with our
host-comedian. We promise an
elegant yet relaxed party. Sounds like a contradiction? Trust me, we Filipinos can pull it off!

What kind of music will there be?
JF: We’ll have two live bands playing music ranging from golden oldies to modern day rock and pop.

And will there be any other performances?
VR: Ms. Nanette Inventor, an accomplished singer and comedienne, will be flying in especially from Manila for the occasion.

We hear there’s going to be a raffle. What can we win?
VR: We’ll be providing sought-after prizes like travel vouchers, dining vouchers, fashion vouchers, spa treatment vouchers and a lot of other goodies.

The “Pista” Philippine Ball 2009 takes place on November 7 in the Grand Ballroom at the Doubletree by Hilton, Beijing. For tickets and information call 137 1881 0934 or e-mail philballbeijing@gmail.com. RMB 600 (advance only). 6.30pm-late. Doubletree by Hilton, Beijing, 168 Guang’anmenwai Dajie, Xuanwu District. (6338 1888)
www.beijing.doubletreebyhilton.com
宣武区广安门外大街168号