Apl.de.Ap to headline SF Independence bash

Alan Pineda, better known as Apl.de.Ap. of the Black Eyed Peas. Photo: Richard Reyes

SAN FRANCISCO–No one better to draw the crowd on Saturday, June 15 than Alan Pineda, better known as Apl.de.Ap. of the Black Eyed Peas. The Grammy award-winning artist and producer will honor his Filipino roots by headlining the free evening concert on Union Square, Saturday, June 15.

The daylong celebration, which starts at noon will showcase big business as well as entrepreneurs, food booths, performing artists and martial arts. This year’s theme is “Kalayaan 2013: Celebrating the legacy of Filipino Creativity, Talent and Ingenuity.”

As such the days program will feature not only cultural and entertainment segment but a business component as well to bring forth the country’s current economic successes and upgraded forecasts.

A two-day business seminar prior to Saturday’s event dubbed “Philippine Business and Tech Expo and Conference” will be held at the Philippine Center on 447 Sutter Street, San Francisco. The conference theme, “Latitude-Longtitude Emerging Markets” will focus on the Philippines as Asia’s rising tiger, and a Gateway to ASEAN, with topics ranging from its pathway to current successes, emerging industries, rise of start-ups, social enterprise/sustainability and case studies of real companies who are innovating and benefitting from the wave of change in the country.

Al Perez, chairman of the Kalayaan Celebration Steering Committee, explained that this year’s celebration is more than an ordinary Independence Day fiesta. “Filipinos are known for their talent in the performing arts, but we have actually played a significant role in so many other fields – and we have a lot of talented young artists and professionals making waves in up-and-coming industries such as animation, gaming and design. We have invited them to be part of our celebration. We hope people who come to the event will not only enjoy the program and the showcases, but come away with a better understanding of how Filipinos and Filipino-Americans have contributed to their community.”

This community-led celebration is a collaborative effort by the Filipino American Community leaders from the San Francisco Bay Area with the support of the Philippine Consulate General. Presenting sponsor of this year’s celebration is Western Union.