Celebrating Filipino Independence Day with QAMPI: Honouring Culture and Community in Queenstown

On Saturday 14 June, Queenstown Memorial Hall filled with colour, music, and community spirit to mark Filipino Independence Day.

Organised by Queenstown Association of Migrant Pinoys Inc. (QAMPI), this Independence day celebration brought together hundreds of people from the region to celebrate Filipino culture, identity, and pride.

A community gathering with heart

From the moment we walked through the doors, we felt wrapped in that distinct Filipino mix of pride and hospitality. People were smiling, hugging, queueing for kare-kare and halo-halo. Kids zipped around in barong tagalog and terno dresses. Even the Mayor turned up, blending right in among the crowd.

Celebration through food, fun, and performance

There were raffles and blackout bingo, cultural performances that made people cheer and tear up, and food—so much good food. The Little Miss Queenstown pageant might’ve stolen the show though. The tamariki on stage were confident, playful, and so proud to share who they are. Watching them, we thought, yep—this is how a culture gets carried forward in a distant land.

Gratitude to QAMPI

No event of this magnitude happens by accident. Malou Alcedo and the QAMPI team clearly poured their hearts into every detail. You could feel it in the way people stayed long after the performances ended, catching up and cracking jokes over second helpings. It wasn’t just a celebration—it was a reminder of how strong and beautiful the local Filipino community is.

Thank you, QAMPI, for the invitation and the ongoing partnership. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!