Entertainment
Explore the rich tapestry of Filipino music, from classic folk songs to the latest chart-topping hits. Discover talented local artists, both emerging and established, as they captivate audiences with their soulful performances. Additionally, experience the joy and energy of traditional Filipino dances, as we showcase the graceful movements and colorful costumes that bring our cultural heritage to life.
gabby concepcion (CELEBRITY PERFORMER)
Gabby Concepcion is a Filipino actor, singer and businessman. He began his show business career in the 1980s as a teen commercial model and is known for his debonair career in Philippine cinema, spanning several romanticized associations. We are very grateful to have him as a featured celebrity artist of Piyesta Pinoy.
PACF PERFORMING ARTS
Philippine American Cultural Foundation Performing Arts is a cultural group that promotes our Philippine culture through music, dance, arts and cultural workshops. They have performed for many years at events such as Museum of Science and Industry, Christmas around the world, Navy Pier World Dumpling Fest, Destination Asia at Morton Arboretum, and more.
Alpha Nicolasin
Alpha Nicolasin is a flight attendant for a major US airline and writes on her journal during her layovers. She hosted Hataw Pinoy Chicago, a weekly television show that aired in Chicago from 2003 to 2013. She was the managing editor of The Filipino American Community Builder, a monthly newspaper that served the Filipino community in the Greater Chicago Area from 2002 to 2015.
Olive Leopoldo
Olive Leopoldo is a dedicated individual who is passionate about promoting cultural awareness and community building. As a member of CIRCA Pintig, she has played an important role in promoting Filipino American culture and history through various programs and events. Her leadership in her high school’s Asian American Club and her role as a Piyesta Pinoy Youth Emcee for several years demonstrate her commitment to fostering cultural appreciation among the youth
Galilee Lien Montero
Galilee Lien Montero is an undergraduate student studying for a Biology degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. As a Filipino American, Filipino culture has always been an important factor throughout her life. During her upbringing, she had the privilege to perform and teach many cultural dances. She wishes to share our culture with younger generations and is she is proud to be able to express this through Piyesta Pinoy where she will be a co-host!
MANI
Manilyn Pogoso is a Filipino-American singer/songwriter from California. Her earlier experiences include opening for various Filipino artists, singing at baseball games for the San Jose Giants, and winning 1st Place in the 2019 Columbus Local Showcase. MANI’s artistic career began with a desire to write music from the heart to inspire people’s soul. MANI can be found in the local South Chicago community empowering men and women to pursue purpose, while utilizing their God-given gifts.
samasama project
SamaSama Project was launched as Chicago’s premiere Filipino Folk Fusion band in 2008. “SamaSama” translated as “united, together” truly lives up to their name creating a blend of Filipino folk, rock, ska, and Latin music, inspired by a 1970s musical movement called Manila Sound. Over the years, the talented group led by singer and musical actress Lou Ella Rose and husband Baron Lloyd Cabalona.
raissa yabes
1Radio’s People’s Choice award winner of “The One.” Performed as an opening act in concerts for Martin Nievera, Jaya, Threelogy with Morrisette, and many more.
Anna Nicolasin
Anna has been singing since she was young – with her family, church choir, school choir and a cappella groups, and at Fil-Am events like Adobofest and Piyesta Pinoy. She also played the violin in school, and learned to how play ukulele to accompany herself while she sings. Anna lives with their husband and their fur baby, a beagle-corgi named Jasmine Milk Tea.
Emilio M. Nicolasin, Jr.
Known as a actor, singer, and musician. He started singing in his native Butuan City in the Philippines, where he was a champion in the regional Tawag ng Tanghalan, the equivalent to today’s The Voice. His performance in the lead role (Jamail) in the award-winning play, “Halik sa Kampilan” (Kiss the Sword) earned him rave reviews from the critics, as well as a nod from the Aliw Awards Foundation, which gave him a coveted Aliw acting award, the Philippines’ equivalent of a Tony.
lakan
Lakan is a singer, songwriter, and producer. Lakan tends to draw influence from many different styles and genres, but for this Philippine-born son of a singer who was raised in the cold streets of Chicago, soul is the true reflection of the people society most often sees as a problem. With a commanding lyrical ability and a voice that retells stories of love and loss, pain, hope and healing, Lakan personifies that soul.
kayla tejero
Kayla is an emerging FilAm music talent from Montgomery, IL. She has won numerous talent competitions since age 12, and performed in 9 US states including a performance in Toronto, Canada. Kayla is also columnist-writer for a Filipino American newspaper here in Chicago, the Via Times. At age 21, Kayla is currently working as a Registered Nurse.
PRIAL
Prial is a cover rock band that started way back in 2020. Fast forward a few years, Prial is back stronger, as they are ready for gigs in the future. Giselle as the drummer, Colton as the Guitarist, Rainier as the Bassist, and Jannae as the singer and rhythm guitarist, Prial is ready to play at today’s Pinoy Piyesta
ingrid Bantugan
From Villa Park, IL. Ingrid uses music as a pathway to connect to her Filipino roots. She plays guitar, piano, and writes her own original music.
bloomswitch
A Chicago based Rock/Alternative band fused with Funk, Blues, Math Rock and everything in between.
Julie Azarcon
Julie Azarcon is a real estate broker with Keller Williams and a passionate Zumba instructor. With eight years of experience, she brings high-energy fitness classes to various gyms, infusing workouts with electrifying music and vibrant dance moves. Julie’s love for Zumba extends to volunteering at events like Piyesta Pinoy, where she promotes the joy and benefits of this international dance party. She aims to help people say goodbye to boring workouts and hello to a fun and invigorating fitness experience.
FAASD
Filipino American Association of South DuPage Cultural Dance Group (FAASD) is a vibrant civic organization founded in 1985 by first generation immigrant Filipinos who shared the same sentiments of belonging, missing families at home, desiring to assimilate in the American culture yet wanted to preserve their own valued heritage and traditions.
PNAGC
PNAGC is a nonprofit nurses organization that promotes diversity and unity in our nursing profession. They are dancing the tribal malong dance from the Maranao with costumes designed by Tata Blas Pinuela (an Ilonggo based designer).
fia’liwan
Fia’Liwan is a musical group stemming from UIC’s Filipino organization. Consisting of male & female singers, beatboxers, emcees, and instrumentalists, the group has grown to cover a wider variety of musical talent. The Filipino word “Aliwan,” meaning entertainment, reflects the talent, versatility, and flexibility of the group – not just as performers, but as entertainers.
fia CULTURAL
As one of the five subgroups within Filipinos in Alliance at UIC, FIA Cultural focuses on teaching aspects of Filipino Culture to its members from teaching different cultural dances (such as Tinikling and Maglalatik), to showcasing how to cook different Filipino foods. We hope to challenge our understanding of our heritage by building an environment of traditional and modern Filipino ideals and by continuing to strengthen new and old relationships.
PSA Barkada
PSA Barkada is a cultural dance group dedicated to exploring the indigenous history of Filipino performing arts. Barkada hopes to foster a deep-seated connection between our performers, audience, and the rich traditions of pre-colonial Filipino culture. Barkada works to create a nurturing environment for dancers to develop and explore their own interests in our culture’s indigenous roots.
Kapamilya Habang Buhay
Lane Tech’s Filipino Club, also known as Kapamilya Habang Buhay, or KHB for short. As a cultural dance group that represents the Philippines, they perform in Lane’s International Days as well as various other events all around the Chicagoland area! Through performing historical cultural dances, like Tinikling and Bangko, they love spreading the Filipino culture around the city!
SOUNDREDD
Several years ago in Waukegan, Illinois, Jeff, Gilbert and Jonathan started jamming with each other. Jeff met Archie and introduced him to the rest of guys and they all started to jam from time to time. Some of their music influences are Sevendust, Korn and Metalica.