Tribute to the Philippines Set for This Weekend

Ocean City has long billed itself as America's greatest family resort, but in an effort to capture some of the world market, the resort will recognize ties to the Philippines this weekend during a two-day festival July 21 and 22.

Like Ocean City, the island nation of the Philippines is known for its focus on family, according to Mark Soifer, Ocean City public relations director.

The festival is in its third year and promotes tourism and understanding between the two destinations.

The tribute includes two days of events at three locations:

TRADE AND TOURISM FESTIVAL

The festival on the pavilion outside the (Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace) will be held 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday (July 21) and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday (July 22). Filipino crafts and packaged food will be displayed and sold, and there will be exhibits by the Tourism Commission of the Philippines, the Philippine National Bank, United Mindoro International and the province of Ocean City’s Sister City (San Jose Occidental Mindoro).

Western Union (major sponsors of the weekend), Philippine TV and news outlets will also sponsor displays. The event will include yo-yo demonstrations by Air Circus of Ocean City (The yo-yo was invented in the Philippines and means “return-return” in the Philippine language), giveaways, discount coupons, and children will receive free tickets to Wonderland Pier.

Philippine nurses will provide free blood pressure and blood sugar tests.

VARIETY SHOW

The show will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday (July 21) in the auditorium. It will showcase Filipino talent in the United States with the popular band The Sounds of Manila, singer-songwriter Archie D and dancer- singer Kay Habana. A group of talented young performers from New York and South Jersey will also join the stage.

Tickets to the show are $10 and available at the Music Pier Box Office, 609-525-9248, or through Ocean City's online box office.

HEALTH FAIR

A free health fair provided by physicians and nurses from the Adventist University of the Philippines will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday (July 22) at the at 1735 Simpson Ave. in the Ocean City Community Center. There will be programs on cardiovascular disease, reversing Type 2 diabetes, how to combat depression and how to beat cancer. Lifestyle experts and counselors will provide information on diet and various health therapies.

There will be entertainers singing Philippine folks songs and a presentation on the “Blue Zone,” the area in the Philippines where people live the longest in the world. There will be a 7-course vegetarian lunch served for $5. Free vegetarian hors d’oeuvres will be served during the day.

OPENING CEREMONIES

The festival begins at 10 a.m. Saturday in front of the . Officials from the Philippine Consulate in New York will participate with Mayor Jay Gillian and Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Michele Gillian. There will be entertainment during the opening by Filipino dancers and singers and a championship yo-yo team from Air Circus.