By Marivir R. Montebon
New York – There was balut (duck eggs), sago’t gulaman, bibingka (rice cake), buko juice, pork barbecue, pancit (noodles), cassava cake, and a couple of young performers at the Filipino night market that perked up the neighborhood of Elmhurst on Sunday, August 29, 2021. The pork adobo (braised pork) contest was an added reason for pigging out.
The Filipino Summer Night Market was one of the many first of festivities organized by four non-profit organizations in the midst of the pandemic in Elmhurst which is known to be the world’s most diverse community in the world.
Traditional Filipino food, Philippine music, modern dances, pre-loved clothes, fashion accessories, soap and scents were on display at the quaint corner of 77th Street and Broadway.
Organizer Aida Bartolome of the Foundation for Filipino Artists made sure the event was free for the vendors in order to help them promote their products. Together with FFA, the event was put together by the International Women Artists, Kinding Sindaw, and United Staffing Registry Inc.
Melissa Alviar, who lives in Manhattan, said that the event was truly a reflection of ‘community’ and appreciated the neighbor’s spontaneous participation.
Real estate businessman Edwin Josue joined the funfare with partner Jerry Sibal, to support Aida Bartolome who is a long-time friend.
The event was deemed successful and a common sentiment was for the night market to have a repeat.
Queens is home to about 200,000 Filipinos in the New York where a handful of civic organizations are pushing for the recognition of Little Manila district on Woodside. #
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