Filipino Flavor

Philippine culture is “a blend of Malayan, Polynesian, Indonesian, Chinese, Spanish, Western and indigenous influences feeding a tree that grows and evolves,” said Joel Jacinto, executive director of Search to Involve Pilipino Americans.

That diversity will be reflected in “Ugat Pilipino: Filipino Roots,” the theme of 1993 Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture that takes place over the next two weeks.

The folk dance performance “Larawan” will take place today at 2 p.m. at the New Ivar Theatre, 1605 N. Ivar St., in Hollywood; tickets are $15.

The festival’s main event takes place June 19 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Los Angeles City College, 855 N. Vermont Ave., featuring performances of dance, music and theater illustrative of Philippine and Philippine-American art forms. Arts and crafts and Philippine food will also be available.

The festival has also generated some controversy with an art exhibit at City Hall that runs through Friday in the third-floor rotunda. A banner announcing the exhibit, which depicted a dog roasting on a spit and some political symbols, was removed by city officials after some city employees complained. On Tuesday, the banner was restored, accompanied by an explanatory note by the artist. The rest of the exhibit remains despite complaints about the erotic nature of some of the artworks.

Information: (213) 382-1819.