The 33rd Pistahan Parade contingent of the Philippine Consulate General walking the streets of 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 together its partner government agencies—the Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Silicon Valley (PTIC-SV), the Philippine Department of Tourism Office in San Francisco (PDOT), and the Philippine Center San Francisco—showed its full support for the Filipino American community in the Bay Area for the 33rd annual Pistahan Parade and Festival, held in downtown San Francisco on 8-9 August 2026.
As one of the speakers at the pre-parade program held at the San Francisco Civic Center on 8 August, Consul General Talisayon, who had the honor of serving as the Community Grand Marshal, recognized the Filipino American Arts Exposition (FAAE), as well as the organizers, volunteers, partners, and community members whose collective efforts contributed to the success of the Bay Area’s largest annual celebration of Filipino culture and heritage.
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie commended Mr. Al Perez, President of FAAE, for his leadership in organizing and sustaining the Pistahan festival. He likewise congratulated SOMA Pilipinas on its milestone 10th anniversary as a cultural heritage district, describing it as an incredibly vibrant home for Filipino culture, history, businesses, and community in San Francisco. He expressed appreciation to SOMA Pilipinas and its leaders for their continuing efforts to preserve and promote the Filipino American community’s rich heritage and contributions to the city.
Other Pistahan honorees included Stephanie Reese, Filipino American singer-actress and theater artist, as Celebrity Grand Marshal; SOMA Pilipinas Director Raquel Redondiez as Legacy Grand Marshal; and California State Assemblymember Jessica Caloza as Hermana Mayor.
The two-day, free outdoor festival featured specially curated pavilions and programs showcasing various aspects of Philippine culture, including arts, dance, literature, fashion, business innovations, sports and martial arts, and food. Filipino American organizations and entrepreneurs also participated as exhibitors, offering a variety of products, services, and community resources.
As one of the festival exhibitors, the Philippine Consulate’s booth provided information on passport and other consular services, overseas voting, and tourism and trade opportunities in the Philippines. Filipino snacks, bahay kubo stickers, and souvenirs were also distributed to booth visitors.
At Yerba Buena Gardens, various local performers took the stage, entertaining festivalgoers with traditional Filipino dances and songs. Celebrity Grand Marshal Stephanie Reese, who headlined the afternoon program on the second day of the festival, performed a repertoire featuring Broadway and Filipino songs.
The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco will continue to support meaningful activities and work closely with Filipino community organizations and partner agencies to promote Philippine culture and heritage across the San Francisco Bay Area. END
State and local officials have their photo taken after the pre-parade program, together with Parangal and Kariktan cultural performers (San Francisco PCG photo)
Philippine Consulate contingent at the Civic Center before the Pistahan parade (San Francisco PCG photo)
Parangal Dance Company performing during the Pistahan pre-parade program at the Civic Center (San Francisco PCG photo)
Hermana Mayor Assemblymember Jessica Caloza at the parade along Market Street (San Francisco PCG photos)
Consul General Arnel G. Talisayon congratulating the Filipino American Arts Exposition on the 33rd Pistahan at the pre-parade program at the Civic Center (San Francisco PCG photo)
Community Grand Marshall Consul General Arnel G. Talisayon addresses the festival-goers at the Yerba Buena Garden stage, with FAAE President Al Perez (rightmost), District 4 Supervisor Alan Wong (2nd from right), Celebrity Grand Marshal Stephanie Reese (4th from left), Mario de Mira (3rd from left) of SOMA Pilipinas, and FAAE committee heads Kevin Benedicto (leftmost) and Eleanore Fernandez (2nd from left) (San Francisco PCG photo)
Young FilAms perform Filipino martial arts at the pavilion (San Francisco PCG photo)
Kariktan dance company performing Filipino songs and folk dances on the first day of the festival at the Yerba Buena stage (San Francisco PCG photo)
“Tanke ng Pateng” at the Innovation Pavilion where fresh ideas and inventions were showcased (San Francisco PCG photo)
Mahjong tutorial at the Yerba Buena Center (San Francisco PCG pLhoto)
Live cooking demonstration featuring Sarap Shop at the Culinary Pavilion (San Francisco PCG photo)