ABS-CBN Global and Baryo Ent Bring the Heart of Filipino Christmas to Los Angeles with the First-Ever “Pasko sa Baryo” Festival
Thousands gather in Downtown LA for a full-day celebration of music, food, tradition, and community
ABS-CBN Global, together with TFC, MYX, and Baryo Ent, successfully brought the magic of a true Filipino Christmas to Downtown Los Angeles with the inaugural Pasko sa Baryo — a landmark event that transformed 9Thirty LA into a vibrant holiday village filled with music, food, tradition, and community pride.
From the moment the beloved ABS-CBN Christmas ID opened the program and set the tone, the festival delivered an experience that felt unmistakably like home — festive, heartfelt, and full of laughter.
A Celebration of Music, Culture, and Homecoming
Pasko sa Baryo marked a major milestone for ABS-CBN Global as it expands its cultural footprint in North America through large-scale community experiences.
“This festival represents who we are as Filipinos — joyful, resilient, and deeply connected to tradition,” said Jun Del Rosario, COO of ABS-CBN Global. “Pasko sa Baryo is our gift to the community, a reminder that home is not a place but an experience we can share wherever we are.”
“Pasko sa Baryo is more than an event. It’s a homecoming for our community,” said Stephanie Ramos, Co-Founder of Baryo Ent. “We built this festival so our community could celebrate the holidays the way we grew up: with music, food, laughter, and family everywhere you turn. We’re honored to help spark a new tradition that keeps our stories and spirit alive here in the U.S.”
A powerhouse lineup electrified the stage, featuring icons and new-generation Filipino artists including:
- VST & Company – bringing the Manila Sound energy to LA with classics like “Awitin Mo, Isasayaw Ko”
- Jocelyn Enriquez – captivating the crowd with Freestyle favorites
- One Vo1ce – delivering nostalgic 2000s R&B harmonies
- Jesse Barrera & Albert Posis – modern Fil-Am soul with a holiday twist
- Jo-B Sebastian – leading the emotional Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
A True Taste of Home: Food, Vendors, and Marketplace Joy
The heart of the festival was the bustling Christmas village, where beloved Filipino flavors warmed the cool LA afternoon.
The full culinary lineup featured:
San & Wolves Bakeshop, Sampa, Park’s Finest, Dollar Hits, Café 86, Malaya Coffee, Wanderlust Creamery, Wow Taho, Big Boi, Pan Da Sal’s, Seafood City, and Valerio’s Tropical Bakery.
From puto bumbong-inspired desserts to smoky barbecue skewers, taho, ube creations, pandesal burgers, and artisanal bibingka, every booth had long lines — a testament to how deeply food anchors the Filipino holiday experience.
Workshops also came alive with families crafting their own parol lanterns, a symbolic reminder of light, hope, and the journey home.
Games, Music, and Filipino Joy in Full Display
Throughout the day, Pasko as Baryo brought the energy with nonstop activities and contests, captured in the recap video’s vibrant montage. Far from simple side activities, the contests became marquee moments thanks to dynamic hosting and a panel of powerhouse judges who kept the crowd roaring from start to finish.
- Polvoron Eating Contest hosted by Noodles
- Blindfold Spatula Money Game hosted by Yeek
- Karaoke Showdown judged by Fil-Am favorites Jeff Bernat, AJ Rafael, Jamie Ave, and PJ Butta
- Christmas Tree Lighting with Jo-B Sebastian, followed by a roaring crowd singalong
DJs Reign, Wavybaby, Midi Riperton, SlowJamz, and JackJack kept the music flowing between sets, ensuring no quiet moment in the entire 7.5-hour program.
Community Powered, Community Focused
A recap video from MYX on Youtube highlights something essential: families, kids, barkadas, and multi-generational Fil-Ams celebrating together. Many attendees shared that it was their very first time experiencing a festival that truly captured the feeling of “Pasko sa Pilipinas.”
A passport activity encouraged visitors to explore the entire Baryo, driving engagement across all vendor and sponsor booths — a major success in unifying the whole festival environment.
Supported by Partners Who Bring You Closer to Home
