The Kapangyawan Friendship Festival (KFF) is an eagerly anticipated activity by the Filipino community in Hong Kong and held every June to celebrate the Anniversary of Philippine Independence. The KFF is jointly organised by the Consulate General of the Philippines in Hong Kong, Global Alliance, Philippine Alliance, and the Federation of Luzon Active Groups.
The name of the festival, Kapangyawan, was derived from the Cantonese word for ‘friend,’ and, as the word implies, the KFF is an event open to the Filipino community in Hong Kong and friends from all nationalities.
This year’s Kapangyawan Friendship Festival will be celebrated on 11th June 2023, Sunday, at Chater Road in Central. The KFF will begin with a traditional Catholic mass as well as Interfaith Program, followed by a parade of all KFF partner organisations and performers.
Live performances serve as the highlight of the KFF. Various Filipino community groups will perform a street dance with a modern take on Philippine festivals. On the other hand, cultural performers will weave together a traditional arrangement showcasing the Filipino community’s talents. Lastly, line dance from groups from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao will feature over five hundred performers in celebration of Philippine Independence.
For several years, the celebration of the KFF has been mostly online due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. While talented performers have graced the festivities and the community lent their support to the festival, previous iterations of the KFF avoided public gatherings to ensure the safety and security of all. Particularly for the migrant worker community in Hong Kong, the KFF is an eagerly awaited opportunity to celebrate friendship and camaraderie in person.
You can see the energy of the Filipino community in action as they prepare for the festivities. During the months preceding the KFF, groups big and small rehearse their performances during their days off. Community leaders shepherd the performers and lead practices, while members painstakingly memorise the careful choreography of their dances. Organisations, associations, and groups all come together to plan out their activity, encourage each other to perform their very best, and enjoy each other’s company at the end of a long day’s practice.
The KFF is an encapsulation of the Filipino community’s desire to showcase the very best of the Philippines to the Hong Kong people. From the traditional to the modern, with song, dance, and other performances, and for Filipinos from all walks of life, we invite everyone to join the festivities and celebrate Philippine Independence with us.
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