Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival

Join the local Filipino community in celebrating the 108th anniversary of Philippine independence at the Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival this weekend at Seattle Center.

Music is a highlight of Filipino celebrations, varied through the cultures of the 7,100 islands of the Philippines and the Asian and Western traditions that influenced them. Music and dance are featured at the festival both days, with exhibits and events reflecting antique to modern Filipino culture including costumes, martial arts, folk art, food, children's activities and a photo exhibit on the history of Filipinos in King County. Filipino-American writers and poets host "Works Expressed: Filipino Pinoy and Ameripino Writers and Poets," with readings and a panel discussion at noon Saturday. Sunday events include a musical extravaganza from 2-4 p.m. and performance by the Filipino Youth Activity Drill Team at 4 p.m. Pagdiriwang is presented by the Filipino Cultural Heritage Society of Washington as part of Seattle Center's Festal series of world cultural events.

Festival hours: 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.

Admission: Free.

Location: Center House, Seattle Center

Getting there: Metro Transit provides regular service between downtown and Seattle Center on routes 3, 4 or 16 to the east side of Seattle Center and routes 1, 2, 13, 15, 18 to the west side of Seattle Center. For more information on bus service, call 206-553-3000 or see tripplanner.metrokc.gov/. Seattle Center operates several garages and parking lots. To encourage carpooling, 5th Avenue Parking at Fifth Avenue North and Republican Street offers reduced parking rates for vehicles with three or more people. Call the Seattle Center traffic hotline for traffic and parking information, 206-233-3989.

More information: 206-684-7200 or www.seattlecenter.com.

— Madeline McKenzie, Seattle Times staff