For the 39th year, Pista Sa Nayon, a celebration of the culture and history of the Philippines, is coming to Mare Island. This time around the featured theme on June 7 is “Sharing the Map of our Motherland.”

Pista Sa Nayon has long been celebrated in Vallejo and since 2022, festival producer Jen Mojica has been leading the charge. Although every year the event focuses on Filipino history and culture, this year’s theme highlights each island and region’s unique differences.

When deciding on this year’s theme, Mojica remembered a connection she had witnessed at the event in 2024. That theme was on weaving the generations, and weavers from the Philippines were invited to attend the festival.

Early on at the festival, Mojica was approached by an elder man in the community, who she referred to as an uncle, who asked where he could find a certain vendor who had travelled to the event from the Philippines. It turns out, he had grown up in the same area as the vendor and was eager for connection.

“I directed the uncle to her and I just remember him walking away, he was so excited and he was so eager to find the family and that really stuck with me,” said Mojica.

Now, she’s looking for that feeling again, hoping to unite the community by island and region throughout this year’s festivities.

She wants the festival to spark open conversations across generations about where each family is from. “The truth is, our parents and grandparents are getting older and I really don’t want that to be lost,” said Mojica.

The festival has cultural, historical and musical attractions, including Parangal, Kariktan and Bibak dance groups representing three major islands in the Philippines, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Headlining the festival is Filipino and Bay Area singer Ruby Ibarra, who recently won NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest. “Ruby is such a role model for so many,” says Mojica. The two were able to talk recently about culture and agreed on their vision for the festival.

Ibarra and her label Bolo Music Group are bringing with them other up-and-coming Filipino musicians that Mojica described as “a powerhouse of humble talent.”

One of this year’s main attractions is a 20-foot-long map of The Philippines, which will be displayed in the cultural pavilion. There, visitors can mark the area they or their family originate from. “I’m really excited about this piece because I really think that, especially with the younger generations, it may be the first time,” says Mojica.

Although the map may be a first for young Filipino Americans, the event as a whole will be a first introduction to the Philippines for many non-Filipino Vallejoans. New partnerships with Philippine Airlines, Philippine Department of Tourism and Philippine Consulate help answer questions and offer resources to those still learning about the Philippines, says Mojica.

Pista Sa Nayon is for everyone of every background to experience and the festival hopes to provide plenty of opportunities for those unfamiliar with Filipino culture. In Vallejo, which has been regularly ranked as one of the most racially diverse cities in the Unikted States, sharing that culture and history is not something to be taken lightly, says Mojica. “It’s the biggest honor and it’s the biggest opportunity to give it our best.”

“We’re just really excited and proud that we can do this in our city,” she says. If she had any advice for those attending the festival, it would be to “come to the festival as if you’re going on a trip to The Philippines,” and to experience the culture, hospitality and food at the festival, and maybe even win a round trip ticket from Philippine Airlines.

If you go …

WHAT: Pista Sa Nayon

WHEN: June 7, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

WHERE: Mare Island Coal Sheds, 850 Nimitz Ave., Mare Island.