BULLETIN NR. 9

On June 7, 2008, thousands of people from the Dutch-Filipino Community in the Netherlands will gather at the Evenemententerrain of Spaarnwoudepark in Haarlem for their annual celebration of the Philippine National Day.

The community reunion is one big outdoor fiesta. Filipinos and their families, as well as their friends, from every nook and corner of the Netherlands, will come with their tents, garden chairs, barbecue implements, and specially prepared delicacies to the Picnic. It is a day for everyone, especially for the children who see the Picnic a huge park for play and adventure.

There is much fun, relaxation and hospitality at the Picnic. Games are played. Music is enjoyed. Food is shared. People go around saying ‘hello’ and “kumusta” to old friends and new acquaintances. There is a colorful mini-market, the Picnic Cultural Bazaar, where souvenirs and nostalgic goods from the Philippines are displayed and where businesses and enterprising individuals sell or advertise all kinds of stuff.

The highlight of the Picnic is surely the entertainment extravaganza that takes place on-stage from noon onwards. The podium programme is always formally opened with a speech by the Philippine Ambassador. And then comes an entire afternoon of public entertainment. The variety show on-stage is very Filipino in flavour. Amateur and professional talents from the community - from the very young to senior citizens, church groups, neighborhood youths, superstars-to-be, thrilled autochtones – are called on the stage to render song or dance or artistic performances. The amateur performances, whether ridiculous, hilarious or serious, are volunteered freely, are freely welcomed, and are always fun for everybody to watch. Above all professional Filipino artists from the community who, in effect, give gratis mini-concerts, showcase the Filipino musical soul. Among the most loved performers who regularly contribute to the Picnic are the Filipina-divas who won first place in the Henny Huisman Show. The entertainment package is never the same, and the surprise performances on-stage are as memorable as the programmed numbers.

The Picnic on June 7 is the 20^th jubilee picnic. When it all started 20 years ago, there were only some 20 families around in that inconspicuous spot at Spaarnwoudepark. And now there are over 5,000 picnickers, making this event the most popular, the grandest and the most festive Filipino community event in the Benelux. The Picnic has certainly grown slowly and steadily. Not only Filipinos but all those who join the Picnic have come to look forward to it, year after year after year.

During the Picnic, there is rarely a feeling of being excluded or being in an unfriendly crowd. Everyone welcomes and accepts everybody else. Even strangers and passers-by who accidentally encounter the Picnic at the Park pleasantly join in. This sense of sharing and belonging makes every picnicker feel that he or she is personally and directly involved in the celebrations. The dad who quietly barbecues all day is as important, and as happy, as the singer on-stage with an ecstatic thousand people for an audience. Amazingly, the well-known differences or conflicts among members of the community are set aside on this day.

Shouting Mabuhay! is never out of place in the Picnic. Filipinos feel a wholesome sense of national unity and international pride during the Picnic because there they feel uniquely and genuinely at home. And for Filipinos home means family, friends, fiesta fun & music, and food (not necessarily in that order)! The Picnic has truly become a cherished tradition of the Filipino community in the Netherlands.

The organization of the Picnic is led by the COALITION of three Filipino community self-organizations: Barangay sa Holland, based in Amsterdam, Vereniging Samahan Filipijnse Arbeiders NL, based in den Haag, and the United Filipino Dutch Association in Hoofddorp. The community newsletter, Munting Nayon News Magazine and its website http://www.mnnetherlands.com/mn/picnic/picnicindex.php also assists in the preparations. Every year, volunteers and leaders from these organizations work hard to ensure that the Picnic lives up to its reputation as the most prominent and the most wonderful Filipino contribution to samenleving in the Netherlands.

List of Posts