PH CONSULATE IN FULL SUPPORT AT THE 32ND PISTAHAN PARADE AND FESTIVAL
The 32nd Pistahan Parade contingent of the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, with the San Francisco City Hall in the background. (San Francisco PCG photo)
SAN FRANCISCO, USA – The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco and its partner government agencies, led by Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer, showed full support to the Filipino American Community in the Bay Area for the 32nd annual Pistahan Parade and Festival, held in downtown San Francisco on 9-10 August 2025.
During the pre-parade program at the San Francisco Civic Center on 9 August 2025, Consul General Ferrer commended the Filipino American Arts Exposition (FAAE) and the people behind the 32nd edition of the Pistahan.
“On behalf of the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco and our attached agencies, the Philippine Department of Tourism Office and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center, I would like to thank and congratulate Mr. Al Perez and the entire team of the Filipino American Arts Exposition for once again organizing the Pistahan Parade and Festival at the Yerba Buena Gardens this weekend.” Consul General Ferrer said.
Consul General Ferrer also expressed gratitude to the City and County of San Francisco, and the Filipino American community across the Bay Area for their unstinting support to Pistahan for over three decades. He called on everyone to celebrate the strong friendship and people-to-people ties between the Philippines and the United States.
The Consulate, together with the Department of Tourism Office in San Francisco, the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Silicon Valley, and the Philippine Center Management Board, participated in the festive parade, carrying Philippine flags from Civic Center Plaza along Market Street and ending at the Pistahan grounds in Yerba Buena Gardens. In addition, the Department of Tourism, in collaboration with Mango Tours, commissioned a sightseeing Big Bus adorned with a “Love the Philippines” wrap featuring images of Philippine festivals. Some Consulate personnel joined the Big Bus along with influencers and guests, and DOT celebrity guest Diether Ocampo. Both the marching parade participants and those on the bus followed the designated route with the “Love the Philippines” jingle and other upbeat Filipino songs playing in the background.
The two-day, free outdoor festival featured specially curated pavilions showcasing events on Philippine arts, dance, literature, fashion, sports and martial arts, food, and innovation, along with booths from Filipino American organizations offering a variety of services.
As one of the festival exhibitors, the Consulate’s booth provided information on passport and other consular services, as well as tourism and trade opportunities in the Philippines. The booth also engaged the public with interactive trivia games on Philippine history and pop culture.
Philippine Consul General Neil Ferrer delivers his remarks during the pre-parade program at the San Francisco Civic Center on 9 August 2025 (San Francisco PCG photo)
From L-R: Fil-Am Alameda County Supervisor Nikki Fortunado Bas, San Francisco Assessor Joaquin Torres, Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer, founding president and CEO of the Foundation for Filipina Women’s Network Marilyn Mondejar, and Fil-Am South San Francisco Councilmember Mark Nagales (San Francisco PCG photo)
Attendees at the pre-parade program in Civic Center Plaza (San Francisco PCG photo)
Love the Philippines Big Bus by the Department of Tourism and Mango Tours (San Francisco PCG photo)
Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer (rightmost) leads the Philippine Consulate contingent during the parade (San Francisco PCG photo)
Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer (in orange shirt) waves to the crowd following his remarks at the Yerba Buena Gardens (San Francisco PCG photo)
Cultural performance at the Yerba Buena Gardens (San Francisco PCG photo)
Consul General Neil Ferrer (rightmost) participating in the Magnolia ice-cream eating challenge at the Culinary Pavilion with Pinole Mayor Cameron Sasai (2nd from the left)
Vice Consul Hannah Go and Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil answer queries at the Consulate’s booth
A snapshot of festival goers in front of the stage (San Francisco PCG photo)