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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN.com/Baryo HiFi) |
What began as a grassroots celebration of Filipino-American culture has now become one of the most anticipated Filipino festivals in the U.S. Baryo HiFi recently returned to Historic Filipinotown for its second annual street festival, drawing nearly 17,000 attendees — a sharp increase from last year’s 10,000. The vibrant event transformed the streets of HiFi into a dynamic cultural hub filled with live music, Filipino food, art, and community activism, all anchored in the spirit of connection and heritage.
Co-founded by Miles Canares, Jennifer Taylor, and Stephanie Ramos, Baryo HiFi is more than just a festival — it’s a movement. “This festival is a testament to our resilience and the power of community,” said Taylor, pointing to the importance of unity following recent events that affected Filipino communities abroad. The festival showcased a growing list of Filipino-American and Philippine-based talent. Performers included iconic singer Pops Fernandez and R&B star Kiana V, bridging the gap between generations and geographies. The night capped off with a special performance from legendary Manila Sound pioneers VST & Co., joined by next-gen Fil-Am artists like P-Lo, Yeek, and Hokage Simon. This year’s culinary lineup doubled in size, with new vendors such as James Beard nominee Tara Monsod of Anamae and White Rice, vegan bakery San & Wolves, and LA favorites Dollar Hits and Point Point Joint. “We wanted to elevate the food experience by showcasing the full spectrum of Filipino cuisine — from traditional comfort dishes to innovative takes on our heritage flavors,” said Canares.
Nonprofits and cultural organizations took center stage, with Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) teaching youth how to write in Baybayin, and Fil-Am Arts hosting workshops in Filipino martial arts and palm weaving at Unidad Park. Through the HiFi Coalition, long-standing community organizations were given a platform to share their missions and deepen their ties to festivalgoers. “This festival truly reflects the diversity, creativity, and heart of our community. It’s built by the people, for the people,” said Ramos. This year’s success was made possible through major sponsors including Nike, Jo Koy, TFC (The Filipino Channel), Mama Sita’s, Rivian, SoundCloud, Cafe 86, and Pili Anni. Their support helped Baryo HiFi scale up its offerings while staying rooted in its mission: to uplift Filipino-American voices and build lasting community connections. As Baryo HiFi continues to grow, its founders say the mission remains clear — to preserve culture, inspire the next generation, and celebrate what it means to be Filipino in America.
(With words by ABS-CBN News North American Bureau)
