TAMPA, Fla. — Thousands of people are coming to Tampa for the weekend to celebrate PhilFest.
The Filipino community is holding its 28th annual Philippine Festival. It started Friday and will continue through the weekend at the Philippine Cultural Enrichment Complex.
The three-day event features a number of cultural performances and Filipino delicacies, along with an agenda packed with all sorts of entertainment.
"It never gets old and every year, it's just more and more people," said Joey Omila with the Philippine Cultural Foundation, Inc.
Omila was born in the Philippines and said he eventually came to Tampa in 1986.
Omila said he never expected the festival to grow as big as it is today. Since its founding days, he said it was important to keep the festivities alive because of what's been accomplished by him and others.
"I feel like I'm really home," said Regina Reuyan of St. Petersburg. "Everyone is welcome."
Omila said it's a festival for everyone in the community to enjoy and encourages people to learn more about Filipino culture.
He hopes to see the festivities elevate and grow in the future, especially through the undertaking of younger generations. Already, last year's attendance broke records with about 19,000 entrance tickets sold, Omila said.
"Once in a while, I go in a quiet corner and say, 'I hope these people will continue what we started," Omila said.
The gates for PhilFest reopen on the weekend at 10 a.m. at 14301 Nine Eagles Drive.
For more information, visit this link.