The Barrio Fiesta sa London UK

Filipino Super Celebrity Rica Peralejo known to the Kababayans in UK, but little known to the 'Brits" was alledged to have made the ultimate gaff when in London at the 21st Barrio Fiesta.

There was a story floating around the internet that the former model and soft porn star had 'bastardized' the Filipino national anthem, officially known as "Pambangsang Awit ng Pilipinas" for those Brits who cannot understand basic Filipino here is the translation, if you wish to hear the "Pambangsang Awit ng Pilipinas" click on the player below.

Land of the morning Child of the sun returning
With fervor burning
Thee do our souls adore.
Land dear and holy
Cradle of noble heroes
Ne'er shall invaders
Trample thy sacred shore.

O'er within thy skies and through thy clouds
And o'er thy hills and seas,
Do we behold the radiance
feel the throb of glorious liberty.

Thy banner dear to all our hearts
thy sun and stars alight.
Never shall its shining rays
Be dimmed by tyrants' might.

O beautiful land of love,
O land of life,
In thine embrace
'Tis rapture to lie.

But it is glory ever
when thou art wronged
for us, thy sons,
to suffer and die.

It should be noted that the allegations made most probably came from the Philippine Centre organizers, and it should also be pointed out, that no disrespect for the Union Jack or the People of the United Kingdom was shown by any at the 2 day event, it was noted at this event that only Filipino National Flags were being symbolized, and apparently there were some rumblings about this from the British crowd, however a the Barrio Fiesta Morden, it was nice to see the 2 countries national symbols being displayed, I think the organizers have got the message di ba !

So what about this Rica Peralejo gaff ? eyewitnesses from British Filipino members did see the whole thing, and this is what happened ! shortly through Saturday afternoon, Rica Peralejo was on stage, with Aga Mullach and his ok fine stars, when all of a sudden, someone decides to play the "Pambangsang awit ng Pilipinas" btu the strange thing was, prior to this there was a disco dance style scene going on, in the middle of it, "Pambangsang awit" suddenly starts, naturally the Ok fine stars and Rica and Aga, simply had no choice but to carry on with their stewardship of the stage proceedings.

It was only later when a female representative from the organizing committee came on stage to make accusations about the general conduct of the Filipino attendees and this is what she said:

"I just want to make an announcement"
"A few moments ago, some of you have been disrespectful fro the Filipino national Flag and symbols"
"You must not forget where you came from"
"I came here over 25 years ago and I have it good'
"you also have it good and must not forget your heritage"
"Just because you left the Philippines and came here to UK you must not forget your roots"

It was noted generally that during this rather impromptu outburst by the female representative, who clearly looked distressed during her babble ! that most of the Filipinos simply looked like they had seen ghosts, but in typical Filipino indifference they simply shrugged their shoulders and left the stage area, going about there business at the food stalls, and of course getting their priorities right.

Although its not clear why she did say this, she later confirmed that their had been reports, that some of the Filipino flags had actually been trampled on by guests at the Barrio Fiesta, if this is true, then it is indeed a great disrepect to the Filipino nation and indeed all the brave Filipino troops during the 2nd world war and other conflicts they have proudly served in, there have also been comments made that generally the British in attendance were more respectful to the Filipino national anthem and flag than some of the Filipino citizens themselves.

It was reported in Manila that Rica Peralejo had been interviewed about the alledged 'Gaff" in London and this is what she had to say:

Well I dont think "that such an incident happened!"
"I learned about it from my mom only when we came back," she added. "She said that she read it in a tabloid."
"How could that be," said Rica, "when the Pambansang Awit was not played during both shows? Besides, we didn’t open the show. If ever there was such an incident, and I doubt if there was, maybe it was an honest technical mistake. Baka – baka lang, ha – the disco music was played unintentionally even before the playing of the National Anthem was finished."
In the next breath, Rica also denied that she "grabbed" (nangaladkad) a guy from the audience during the Date with Rica segment.
(well whether she grabbed the guy or not, here is a video actually shot by British-Filipino eyewitnesses at the event, and you can judge for yourself, it doesnt show her grabbing the guy, but the guy is clearly visible dancing with her, ( in blue t shirt))
"How I wish!", said Rica half-joking. "That couldn’t have happened because we were far from the audience; the security men saw to it that walang kaladkaran na nangyari. In fact, I thought the guys in the audience would have been all too willing to be ‘grabbed’ (na makaladkad) – all for fun, you know." Otherwise, those imaginary flies in the ointment nevertheless, the OK Fine five-day London visit was a hit. More than 40,000 showed up at both shows, giving the Kapamilya stars a warm welcome. The London tour was part of ABS-CBN’s The Filipino Channel World Tour and the promotion of the TFC Direct satellite service in London.
Aga did an impromptu 30-minute solo "mini-concert," regaling the audience with a medley of his favorite songs like Give It Up, Play that Music, Celebration and Bongga Ka Day. He also sang with Agot duets of a few songs, such as Sa Isip Ko and Iisa Pa Lamang, reviving their Cupcake and Sugar loveteam. As expected, Edu sent the audience roaring with laughter with his "bizarre" and "crazy" antics.
"And what did I do?," asked Rica. "Well, I did some sexy dance and I picked a guy from the audience to dance with me. ‘Yon siguro yung sinabi nilang kinaladkad kong lalaki."
While in London, the OK Fine stars shot one episode around the city, stopping at such tourist spots as the Trafalgar Square, Licester Square, Picadilly Circus, Hyde Park, London Bridge, Harrod’s, etc.That was the only time the stars had to see the sights.
"It was my first time in London and it was memorable," added Rica. "I hope to go back there in the near future, not for work but for a vacation."

The 22nd Barrio Fiesta sa London UK
British-Filipino readers in UK declare 22nd Bario Fiesta a "FLOP"

Every year, Filipino's who are resident in the United Kingdom, including those that have legal status to remain and live in the UK, and those who are undocumented but flouting their welcome in our country have a chance to gather together to make new friends, enjoy their own culture, through an annual event called the Barrio Fiesta, which is held in the Capital City, London, this 2 day event, held in Lampton Park, Hounslow, London, draws some 40,000 visitors per year, the event is held on Saturday and Sunday, so visitors can attend at least 1 day.

This fairly well publicized event draws in visitors from all parts of the United Kingdom, and many Filipinos and their respective families make sacrifices to travel down to the event, some as far away as the North of England and Scotland, this is based on the premise that their will be a chance to meet new friends, catch up on old acquaintances, try out some food and above all be entertained in temperatures which are expected to reach 36 Degrees. Every year the event is organized by the Philippine Centre in London, this years event promised a selection of celebrities from the Filipino T.V. and film industry, sadly this years event was at best dissapointing, a recent internet vote completed on Tuesday the 18th July, showed that a 85 per cent of visitors found the even to be a total flop, where were the promised celebrities ? where was the giant t.v. screen promised by ABS CBN T.V. ? last year we had Rica Peralejo, and Aga Mulach and his ok fine stars ! this year, with ever higher handed private security firms making life difficult for revellers and party goers out to have a good time, and the kill joy attitude of the organizers, this 2 day event was branded the ultimate flop.

This years event was dominated far too much by private Filipino food vendors, the usual suspects were in attendance, such as Charrie travel, PICC Philippine Island connections, the usual real estate brokers, housing developers, and Western Union and associated remittance companies, apart from the odd stall selling rice and other Filipino delicacies, there was little in the way of cultural stall holders, this was cited as complaint no 1, next years Barrio Fiesta will have to be different, if the Philippine Centre wants to make the event a major success, our verdict is :" TOTAL FLOP

Philippine Centre branded Killjoys - Nugroovz Executive Fitted up !

British-Filipino has received a complaint from Music Executive Mr William Cozens-Hardy the Manager of 2nd generation British-Filipino Rock band "Nugroovz", so British-Filipino wanted to know more, we arranged to interview Mr Cozens-Hardy a well known personality in the London Brit-Fil scene, he told us about his brush with the law when he showed up to the Barrio Fiesta on Sunday Morning with a selection of the Nugroovz Army

Mr Cozens-Hardy was suprised when the boys in blue gave him the red card ! Metro Police officers swooped in to break up the party by alledging that one individual organizer from the Philippine Centre whose identity is not yet clear, had made an official complaint.

Watch Nugroovz live at Club FM Shepherds Bush London W12

Jobsworthy's show Nugroovz Army the Red Card !

Mr Cozens-Hardy spoke to British-Filipino and said : " My colleagues and I had turned up specially on Sunday the 16th July to help the band set up their equipment, we were authorized to be behind stage, as we had been issued with yellow arm bands so that we could help the group set up their equipment" "After this was completed, we returned to our places at the front of the stage"

"We then waited for the band to come up and do a number" British-Filipino asked Mr Cozens-Hardy what happened next ? Mr Cozens-Hardy said "Myself and some of the fans, were having a good time, enjoying a few San Migs, when all of a sudden a number of Metro Police officers came up and asked us to leave the park, they gave no reason, other than that organizers from the Philippine Centre had made a complaint to them about us, and quote " We were drinking alchohol in the alchohol free zone" ?

Mr Cozens-Hardy said a few words were exchanged with Police officers, and then they reluctantly left the park, as they were given the alternative of leaving or to face arrest if they returned

British-Filipino commentary: "Its not clear at this stage, on what basis an arrest would have been made, since all the Filipinos were drinking alcohol" Mr Cozens-Hardy has denied that either he, or any of the Nugroovz Army and friends had over-indulged in alcohol, Mr Cozens-Hardy told British Filipino staffers " I cannot understand it, a Nice lady from the Philippine Centre had already congratulated me for cheering and clapping for the other entertainment that was provided, someones lost the plot I think" he then went on to say " I don't know what their problem is, I mean look the lights are on ! but no ones at home"

Mr Cozens-Hardy (44) pictured above with the Nugroovz Rock band a favourite with the Filipino Community in London, said that " I have been coming to the Barrio Fiesta for years, I have waited specially for this years Barrio Fiesta as my friends and I always come to see the band perform, we always have a great time at the Barrio Fiesta, and yes we do drink a little, and enjoy ourselves, this is the first time this has happened, and i just cannot understand why someone from the Philippine Centre would complain about me, I feel I have beeen singled out and unfairly treated, I will think twice about attending the Barrio Fiesta in the future, if this is the attitdue displayed by the organizers"

A Case of mistaken identity ?

Mr Cozens-Hardy stated that " It seemed like the organizers thought I was there to disrupt the event, but nothing could be further from the truth, I am a life long supporter of the Filipino Community in London, I have countless friends who are Filipinos, and have enjoyed all my visits to the Barrio Fiesta over the last 5 years or so" " I came to see the best band in London and look what happens ?" British Filipino staffers then pressed Mr Cozens Hardy as to his future plans ? " Well I am jetting out to Thailand on Friday for some well earned rest and recreation, they (Philippine center organizers) need to eat more happy meals, I will think of them (the organizers) when I am on the beach !"

(British-Filipino has contacted The Philippine Centre, and ask someone to comment on the record, but no one was available for comment.)

Members of the FilipinoUK Forum meet at the 22nd Barrio Fiesta sa London

This years Barrio Fiesta has received mixed endorsements, ranging from, reasonable to a total Flop, the weather this year was about 35 degrees Celsius, the crowd again dominated by the large Filipino Community in the UK, and in addition a noticable number of British citizens seemed to enjoy the gatherings that took place, although most people were heading off to sit under the trees and catch the shade.

The entertainment was severely lacking this year, apart from a rather sickly beauty paegant Filipino style, and a kiddie cheer leader style dance, their was a distinct lack of high rolling celebrity support, the Philippine Centre's website had promised a number of Filipino Celebrities would be in attendance, this was not visible, from Saturday or Sunday, many felt that they were severely let down.

What no Rica Peralejo this year ? No Aga Muhlack and Edu Manzano ? No Jericho Rozales ?

“British-Filipino was on hand this year to interview one or two members of the FilipinoUK Forum, who said they thought that the event was ok, but there were too many food vendors, and not enough cultural stalls ? this was visibly noticed, by food from one end of Lampton Park to the other.”

The Chance to meet old friends and acquaintances was a grand success, when 3 families from the FilipinoUK Forum, an internet based asychronous bulletin board managed to meet up, congratulations to Mrs Frivolity ( Cielo) and her husband Bill, and Son Gavin, for meeting, the Webmaster, his wife, and other members of the Filipinouk forum at the Barrio Fiesta, we had a nice time, relaxing and chatting, and eating ice creams, and chatting generally about future events and meetings, that part of the Barrio Fiesta was at least a huge success, and we hope to see many more in atttendance in 2007.

Arrangements for the Barrio Fiesta in 2007

The 23rd Barrio Fiesta is to be held at Lampton Park Hounslow TW3 4DN Date: to be advised. there wil be a large number of stall holders providing all kinds of Filipino Foods, cooked fresh on site, there will also be many other organizations in attendance, such as Philrem, Western union and other agencies connected with Remittances.

For those travellers, who wish to attend by private car, Parking signs on the day, will direct you to adjacent parking areas, there is a field being used for private motor vehicles and private coaches, the cost of a car to park is normally £5.00. To park up, follow the signs down Sutton Lane, the opposite side of Lampton Park, and you will see a field to the right as you drive down, you will be directed in by event stewards to park up

How to Get to the Barrio Fiesta sa London UK

The Barrio Fiesta 2 day event is held in Lampton Park, behind the Civic Center, Hounslow Central, those travelling by private car, can see on map to the left the location of the park, you will be directed to car parking by local traffic signs.
For those who are planning to attend on National Rail Services, Hounslow Central Station is the nearest tube station and is about 5-10 minutes walk to Lampton park, the TFL tube map should help you plan your journey here Hounslow Central Station is on the Picadilly Line, for those visitors coming in from the North of England and Scotland by national rail services, Kings Cross, Euston and St Pancras stations all link with the Picadilly Line at Kings Cross/St Pancras, the journey time out to Hounslow Central is about 45 minutes.

For those visitors coming in from the West Country, you can take a train by national rail carriers to Paddington station, take Circle Line at Paddington and link up with the Picadilly at Earls Court.

For those who are travelling long distance from Newcastle, Liverpool, Bristol, Bournemouth, Glasgow, Edinborough, Ryanair.com the low fares airline and Easyjet.com the other low fares airlines all operate similar services to London Luton Aiport, London Stansted Airport, both airports have fast express services into central London which link up with the Picadilly Line.

Summary:

It is hoped that the Barrio Fiesta promises to be a great day out next year for all the family, there will be members of the FilipinoUK Forum in attendance, next year, it is hoped that members of the FilipinoUK Forum will be able to have a group photograph taken, exchange phone numbers, and keep in touch with each other. This years photograph is shown above.

it is proposed that a photo be taken on Saturday at 12.00am, details to be placed on the FilipinoUK Forum
so why not arrange to meet up and make new friendships, the Barrio Fiesta is a great chance for Filipina Spouses and Fiancee's or Girlfreinds visiting UK to link up and chat away all day in Tagalog with other new arrivals, why not enjoy some home cooked Filipino food, and exchange phone numbers, so see you all there, if you need to link back to the main page please sign the guestbook before you leave, and we look forward to seeing you at the 23rd Barrio Fiesta.