LYNNWOOD — The Filipino population in South Snohomish County is growing, but you’d never know it from looking at the U.S. census.
This is because most Filipinos and people of Filipino descent have Spanish surnames, said Maria Ambalada of Lynnwood. The Philippines were colonized by Spaniards in the 16th century.
“It doesn’t reflect the true population,” she said.
Although admittedly unscientific, Ambalada, 70, estimates there are at least 1,200 people of Filipino descent in Lynnwood and 1,500 in Mountlake Terrace, a total she believes is double that of five years ago.
“I went through the phone book,” she said with a laugh.
It’s because of that population growth that Ambalada and others in the Filipino community decided it was time to have their own cultural festival in South Snohomish County. They want to pass on their past to the youngest generation whose job it will be to do the same.
“Some of these families are represented by three generations,” said Pining Reyes, who is helping to organize the event. “And this celebration of our art, history and dance is for the most recent generations so they can take part and have a better appreciation of our heritage.”
Everyone is invited to celebrate Filipino culture, music and dance with rich displays of traditional and contemporary artwork at the recently opened Lynnwood Convention Center. The Dec. 17 event is being billed as a Filipino music and cultural extravaganza.
Reyes and Ambalada are part of a newly formed group called the Filipino-American Community Association of Lynnwood. They hope to get young people of Filipino descent in touch with their ancestral culture, Ambalada said.
The event will kick off at 10:30 a.m. with a “toast to friendship” between the Filipino-American population and the rest of the community. Local dignitaries such as members of the Lynnwood City Council and Mayor-elect Don Gough have been invited.
Featured at the event will be artists and performers ranging from 5-year-old children to members of the Filipino American Seniors group. Another group, known as the doughnut boys, will add a bit of humor to the mix with their comedic interpretation of Filipino dance.
Two duos of brothers and sisters will perform what is called a bamboo dance, a choreographed routine with bamboo poles that possesses some element of danger. With two 10-foot-long bamboo poles and two shorter poles, the dancers will take turns hitting the bamboo against each other in perfect rhythm near the ground. Dancers move in and out of the space between the striking poles.
The finale will be provided the Kolintang Dancers, a renown group that will perform to the accompaniment of Gong music. This style of music and dance has its roots in old Malay traditions and a later form of Indian/Muslim music.
In the lobby, the work of several fine artists will be displayed, including the paintings of a lecturer of the arts from the University of the Philippines. Visitors can also see exhibits about Filipino history at the event.
Reyes hopes this week’s celebration will inspire other groups to come out and proudly celebrate their own history and culture.
“This is the first time that Filipino Americans have done anything like this in Lynnwood,” Reyes stated. “We are lighting the torch so others can do the same.”
Bill Sheets, a Herald reporter, contributed to this report.
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