Filipino traditions are celebrated with pageantry, music, film, movement, food, children's activities, literary arts and craft booths at Safeco Insurance Festál: Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival, June 6 - 7, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.; with a special art exhibit opening, June 5, 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m., at Seattle Center and Seattle Center campus.

The Festival recognizes Filipino independence and commemorates the end of Spanish rule in 1898. This year in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (AYPE), Pagdiriwang will showcase "IGOROT VILLAGE: Revisited," highlighting the culture and history of the Philippine mountain tribes -Benguet, Ifugao, Bontoc, Apayao and Kalinga (BIBAK).

Workshops and demonstrations of traditional dances, songs, rituals, backstrap weaving, Ifugao wood carving, tapey-making and more will bring this village to life. Some of the known descendants of those 50 adventurous Igorot participants of the AYPE 1909 will be honored at this centennial event.

Other Pagdiriwang Philippine Festival guests and activities include:

• Summer H.Y.P.E. (Hypin' Up Young Pinoy Entertainers) showcase of young Filipino talent, featuring music, dance performances, spoken word and urban fashion
• "Ethnic Vignettes," art exhibit by Gil Bella, exhibit of Igorot photography, Cordillera basket weave display and Igorot cuisine exhibit
• Cultural workshops: "The Real Story: Igorots in the 1909 AYPE Then & Now," "Deepening Connections: Understanding Filipino Mutual Cultural Misconceptions," and "What Kind of Filipino Are You?"
• Filipino-American (Fil-Am) Jam outdoor music performances
• Traditional outdoor Palaro fiesta games for all ages
• Filipino martial arts demonstrations
• Literary musical contest, variety show and the crowning of "Little Royalty"
• Performance and honoring of the Filipino Youth Activities Drill Team's 50^th anniversary

Did you know? Tim Lincecum, San Francisco Giants pitcher famous for his 98-mph fastball, is a fourth-generation Filipino-American from Seattle's Asis Family. Lincecum was considered the University of Washington wonder kid, where he maintained a 16-3 win-loss record, held the PAC-10's 491-strikeout record, and was granted the 2006 Golden Spikes Award as the nation's top collegiate player. Lincecum currently leads the National League with 225 strikeouts. His Asis uncle is former Seattle City Councilman David Della.

Join us at Safeco Insurance Festál and become a culture carrier (someone who contributes to cultural understanding through the sharing of stories, songs, music, food and family traditions). This festival is produced by Seattle Center in partnership with the Filipino Cultural Heritage Society of Washington. For detailed information and a downloadable schedule of events, please visit www.philippineseattlefestival.com. For more information on Safeco Insurance Festál and other Seattle Center programming, click on www.seattlecenter.com.