SALT LAKE CITY – More than a few hundred people gathered in Jordan Park on the west side of Salt Lake City on Saturday to celebrate Philippine Independence Day.
It was a day full of music, laughter and most of all Filipino cuisine.
“I am very happy to be among my people and celebrate Independence Day,” said participant Spencer Ferrer.
The Yum Yum Food Truck, which was vandalized with racist, anti-Asian hate messages last week, revealed its new look at the event.
The Utah jazz star and Filipino-American Jordan Clarkson donated the new film for the truck as well as the details and restoration.
READ: Jordan Clarkson Supports Food Truck That Was Destroyed With Hate Messages
“I’ve been on the phone and they have been on the phone and we all just got in touch very quickly and did it,” Clarkson said in a post-game interview posted on ESPN’s Twitter.
The community had come in droves to support the food truck. The wait was sometimes an hour and a half, with hundreds of people queuing to try their food.
“To see all these people come here to support us is amazing,” said Natalie Richards.
During the pandemic, Asian Americans and Asian-owned companies have seen a wave of racial attacks and attacks of vandalism. According to reports from CNN, the number of hate crimes against Asians in the country’s 16 largest cities is 164% higher than last year.
Participants said events like the Philippine Independence Day celebration can help bridge the gap.
“It’s so sad,” said Regina Mercado, a co-chair of the Filipino Festival who helped organize the event. “But we hope, we hope that people will accept one another because we coexist.”
“I’m here to support the Filipino community and to make sure there are people here who support this cause and love the people,” said Judy Weeks-Rohner.
Mercado and other organizers said they didn’t expect the massive turnout on Saturday.
“Celebrating my heritage means a lot to me,” said Richards. “Being half Filipino is really great. I can show that both sides are half white and half Filipino. Being here with my friends means a lot to me because they support me too.”
“Love is bigger than hate,” added Ferrer. “So we have to represent.”
Comments are closed.