Filipino pride will be the centerpiece of the 14th annual Filipino Fiesta and Parade Saturday in Waikiki.

The theme says it all: "Celebrating the Filipino Centennial — 100 Years and Beyond."

And because the celebration coincides with the ongoing observance of the 100th anniversary of Filipino immigration to the Islands, interest and participation are at an all-time high, said Bryan Andaya, who is chairing his fourth consecutive fiesta.

"We definitely anticipate a larger crowd that's already reflected in the interest in our vendor booths," said Andaya, a lawyer with Imanaka Kudo and Fujimoto Law Corp. More than 20,000 attended last year and even more are expected Saturday.

"We'll have the best entertainment, too, with some names like Jasmine Trias," he said of Hawai'i's highest-ranking "American Idol" finalist. Trias also is grand marshal of the parade but she'll pause long enough to perform two songs.

"And we'll have the best — and most — food booths ever," said Andaya. "We've eclipsed the total we had in the past, so we'll have 14 booths — sold out the available space — with vendors preparing everything from Filipino food to a mix of local food."

At least 40 individuals and groups will also host craft and display booths to highlight facets of Filipino culture, history, accomplishments and esteem.

STEPPIN' LIVELY

Acela Garcia, director of the folk dance group Sarrat International, typifies the immigrant Filipino talent living in the state. She shares her culture by participating in community events.

Garcia and her dancers are among the troupers who answered the call to provide a taste of Filipino artistry. Theirs is in the form of folk dancing from Ilocos Norte, the region from which she emigrated.

"The centennial is a big event for us; this is our sixth year as an organization," said Garcia. "Our main purpose is to promote the customs of the Philippines. We also raise funds for scholarships. And we always participate in the Filipino Fiesta."

Garcia has been in Hawai'i since 1967 and has emerged as one of the Filipino community's active supporters of cultural events.

In 1988, Garcia became the first Mrs. Hawai'i Filipina. She since has been an active member of the United Filipino Council of Hawai'i, serving as an O'ahu member of the board of governors. She also is a business owner, operating a care home on the slopes of Kapalama Heights in Kalihi.

With her family's kokua and some hired help, she provides care for the elderly, which, she said, "is my other life."

So dancing is a means of stress relief as it allows her to demonstrate her commitment to her culture.

Besides the fiesta, her Sarrat International group will perform at the May 21 Miss Centennial Coronation Ball at the Renaissance Ilikai's Pacific Ballroom.

Her husband, Samuel Garcia, has retired from a construction company, but he initially worked in the pineapple fields of Lana'i for a couple of years after arriving in the Islands in 1963. They were married in 1967, when he returned to the Philippines, and they eventually settled in Hawai'i.

"His father, Lauro Garcia, is 84 now; he was a sakada (farm worker), who worked in pineapple, when he was only 20," Acela Garcia said. The elder Garcia, an accordionist, is expected to play in the parade.

The Garcias have four grown children, a girl and three boys.

"All are married. The eldest boy is here, with United Airlines. The only girl lives in Texas, where she is a nurse. Another son is in communications, and the youngest boy is graduating from the university this year," said Garcia.

"The children used to help around the house ... but we're very proud of them; they all went to private school and they all worked hard. I didn't go to college, I have no degree, so their (accomplishments) make me real happy."

PHILIPPINES TV STAR

The day's entertainment will unfold from the Kapi'olani Park Bandstand, where performers from Hawai'i, the Mainland and the Philippines will share the limelight.

Willie Revillame headlines the parade of talent, with an appearance and performance at 1:30 or 2 p.m. Revillame is a popular Philippines comedian who hosts that nation's popular TV show "Wowowee!" on the ABS-CBN network. Segments will be taped for broadcast to the Philippines audience.

"He's a cult hero in the Philippines — big!" said Emme Tomimbang, Hawai'i's most prominent Filipina TV host and producer.

Tomimbang will emcee the first hour of programming at the bandstand. She also will sell commemorative "Mabuhay With Aloha" T-shirts as a fundraiser for her upcoming documentary on the Filipino centennial, with a portion of the proceeds going to the families of the victims of last month's Kunia traffic accident.

Trias will sing a selection from her debut Filipino release, which already has earned gold status en route to platinum; and one from her American CD.

She will open the program at 10 or 10:30 a.m., after the conclusion of the parade.

Kristian Lei, who has appeared as Kim in a touring production of "Miss Saigon," will perform at about 3 p.m. Lei has the role of Tuptim in a summer Hawaii Opera Theatre production of "The King and I" at the Blaisdell Concert Hall.

Cultural and historical displays, along with food, art and craft booths, will be part of a Regional Village near the bandstand.

One booth will exhibit a commemorative centennial postage stamp, selected through a nationwide contest in the Philippines, in its first Hawai'i display.

COLORS ON PARADE

The parade, from 9 a.m. Saturday, beginning at Fort DeRussy and ending at Kapi'olani Park, boasts a title sponsor this year, Hawaiian Telcom.

The lineup, coordinated by the Honolulu Filipino Junior Chamber of Commerce, will encompass floats, and musicians and dancers clad in costumes from various regions of the Philippines, along the Kalakaua Avenue route.

Trias said: "I'm so excited to be part of the 100-year Filipino Centennial Celebration as the parade grand marshal. I'm proud to be a Filipino, and I will continue to represent my heritage wherever my music takes me."

Other marshals include members of the Filipino community: Ilias Beniga, chair of the Filipino centennial commission, and athlete Lito Alcantara.

A centennial charity walk, from 8:30 a.m., will precede the marchers and floats.

Reach Wayne Harada at wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.