Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival: Kababata at Kababayan (Childhood and Hometown Friends), a Photography Exhibit

Join us for a nostalgic journey down memory lane at “Kababata at Kababayan (Childhood and Hometown Friends),” a captivating Pagdiriwang Photography Exhibit. Explore cherished childhood and hometown photographs captured and curated by Leia Maminta Smith and Bong Serrano.

Save the date for May 31 to June 2, 2024, and make sure not to miss the soft opening of our exhibits, including a reception with food, on May 31 from 6 to 8pm. Join us at the Seattle Center Armory (Loft 2), located at 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA 98109, as part of the Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Filipino culture through these evocative images. Selected prints will also be available for purchase, so you can bring a piece of nostalgia home with you.

In addition, don’t miss an exclusive sneak peek of “Batangas: My Sky and Earth—An Intimate Recollection and Reflection of My Childhood in the Philippines” by Bong Serrano. It’s a special opportunity to delve deeper into the heartfelt stories behind the photographs with the author.

Come reminisce, celebrate, and connect with fellow kababata and kababayan at this special event.

We look forward to seeing you there!

About the Artists

Leia Maminta Smith

Capturing the moment and preserving the memories are my primary motivations in taking photographs. I see amazing images all around us and appreciate the beauty in minute details of life, in the grandeur of nature, and in the warmth of human relationships. A photograph is both art and science to me since it can show the beauty in the details, document the essence of life or the significance of an event. I found joy in photography, in seeing the unexpected and capturing images that bring happy memories and hope. For our theme this year “Kababata at Kababayan” (Childhood and Hometown Friends), I have selected images from my hometown, Batangas. I love coming back to visit family and get together with friends from grade school.

Bong Serrano

I’m excited to join Pagdiriwang and share my debut memoir, Batangas: My Sky and Earth, with the vibrant Filipino American community in Washington state. Along with my book, I’ll be showcasing some of the photographs that were published alongside it. Collaborating with my childhood friend and fellow artist, Leia Maminta Smith, we’re thrilled to celebrate the theme of Kababata at Kababayan through both visual and written art. I hope you’ll visit our exhibit and enjoy the journey with us!

About the Event

The Filipino Cultural Heritage Society of Washington (FCHSW) proudly presents Pagdiriwang, commemorating the anniversary of Philippine Independence. Held on the first or second week of June at the Seattle Center since 1987, the event has grown into the largest festival of Filipino arts and culture in the Pacific Northwest.

This celebration is a part of Seattle Center Festál, a series of cultural programs sponsored by the City of Seattle. Pagdiriwang provides a venue for Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike to learn about the culture. It is an ideal setting for presenting art, craft, song, dance, music, history, literature, and culture to promote better understanding of the Filipino cultural heritage.

The event is free and open to the public.

For a complete schedule of the two-day event, please visit their website.

Read more about the event in our blog post titled Kababata at Kababayan: A Sentimental Journey Through Photography at Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival.