The Palengke at FCS

THE PALENGKE NATIONAL AT FILIPINO COMMUNITY OF SEATTLE (FCS)

The Palengke National, in collaboration with FCS Small Business Resiliency Network (SBRN), kicks off Filipino American History Month with a two-day cultural event at the Filipino Community of Seattle on September 30th and October 1st!

In the spirit of bayanihan, or communal unity, The Palengke National brings together 30+ food and retail vendors on September 30th and October 1st at the historic Filipino Community of Seattle (5740 Martin Luther King Jr Way S, Seattle, WA). “The Palengke at FCS” will kick-off Filipino American History Month through music, food, arts & crafts, dance, and entertainment.

The opening night consists of an arts and entertainment program curated by Filipino-American director and choreographer Bennyroyce Royon, along with a night market with select vendors. The next day will largely be a palengke, an indoor and outdoor market invigorating the Filipino Community Center and the Kern-Veloria Plaza.

This cultural event aspires to unite the vibrant Filipinx community of Seattle by celebrating our rich history, shaping a strong legacy, and moving forward together. It is our hope that this event becomes successful enough to make it an annual event at the Filipino Community of Seattle.

"The Filipino Community of Seattle has witnessed the deleterious effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in our community, especially the small businesses. As a social service organization, we immediately stepped up to help anyone in need. We activated one of the basic core values from our cultural tradition called “bayanihan,” or spirit of communal unity. We rallied our community and gathered resources to help and support our small businesses. We are steadfast in our efforts to expand our services, including building another affordable housing, and this time for families." ~ Agnes Navarro, FCS Executive Director

Learn more and email us at [email protected].

About Filipino Community of Seattle (FCS)

For more than 87 years, the Filipino Community of Seattle (FCS) continues to provide affordable housing, senior services, youth development and STEM programs, culture and arts programs, and basic needs programs to its community members. As a nonprofit social service organization, FCS aims to foster the well-being of Filipinx in Greater Seattle through culturally appropriate services and gathering spaces. The Filipino Community of Seattle envisions a united, thriving and vibrant Filipinx community. Visit filcommsea.org for more information.

About The Palengke National

The Palengke National is a joint venture by Gracie Santos Guce, owner of Grayseas Pies, and Jennifer Johnson, owner of Black Pinay. The two established The Palengke, in celebration of Filipino culture, to increase visibility and brand awareness by uplifting local small businesses through community events and cross-promotional marketing. The Palengke plans to broaden their reach nationally, building community across state lines. In the spirit of bayanihan, communal unity, The Palengke aims to build community through as many creative ways as possible.

About FCS Small Business Resiliency Network (SBRN)

The Small Business Resiliency Network (SBRN) is a Washington State Department of Commerce (Commerce) program that is made up of 31 trusted messenger organizations who provide culturally relevant assistance to historically marginalized small business owners and nonprofits. Commerce strongly supports and invests in equitable resources and programs like SBRN to help Washingtonians recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

The Filipino Community of Seattle is a proud partner of the Small Business Resiliency Network.