The Philippine-American Association of Madison and Neighboring Areas (PAMANA) will host its annual summer picnic on Saturday, Aug. 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in a joyful community gathering celebrating Filipino culture.
“This event unites the Filipino community in Madison and South Central Wisconsin, providing a valuable opportunity for families, especially younger generations, to embrace and appreciate the richness of Filipino culture, values and traditions outside of the Philippines. Our goal is to foster a sense of belonging and make everyone feel at home away from home,” PAMANA President Rolando De la Cruz said.
Each year, the picnic draws between 300 and 400 attendees from diverse regional, linguistic and social backgrounds who share common cultural roots. At the heart of the gathering is the spirit of bayanihan, a traditional Filipino value emphasizing community support and unity.
“There is a collective effort involved in everything from setting up to cleaning up afterward. This collaborative spirit fosters a sense of camaraderie and togetherness, making the picnic a truly fun and memorable occasion,” De la Cruz said.
Guests can look forward to authentic Filipino cuisine, live performances and traditional games. The pre-ordered dishes include lechon (roast pork) and halo-halo (shaved-ice dessert), with pre-orders required by Aug. 19. PAMANA members will also bring a potluck style mixture of delicacies representing the diverse culinary influences of the Philippines.
Activities planned for the day include Kadang-Kadang, a traditional Filipino racing game played on bamboo stilts, as well as the games Maria Went to Town, Pabitin, tug-of-war and the sack race.
During the festivities, PAMANA’s Summer Day Camp kids will perform the Philippine national dance Tinikling using bamboo poles and sing the traditional folk song “Bahay Kubo” (“Nipa Hut”). The beloved song honors rural agricultural roots foundational to life in the Philippines.
Campers will also showcase their own hand-woven banig mats and parol Christmas lanterns, each highlighting Indigenous Filipino practices and enduring faith traditions.
Lastly, PAMANA’s Scholarship Committee will honor two scholarship recipients for their outstanding academic achievements, strong leadership and active participation in their community.
“We hope community members will feel a strong sense of belonging and recognize their active extended family and support network in Wisconsin,” De la Cruz said.
The event location will be shared with attendees upon registration. Those interested in joining this cultural celebration can RSVP and pre-order food here.
