On Oct. 23, 1954, "Filipino Fiesta" made its debut on local television. Spanning nearly 33 years, it would go on to become the longest-running locally produced television show in the islands. This month we look back at longtime host Faustino Respicio and his "Filipino Fiesta" show.
Respicio was born in 1905 in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, in the Philippines. He pursued a law career and wanted to continue his studies on the mainland, but the Great Depression changed his career path.
In 1931, while visiting his father in Honolulu, Respicio fell in love with the islands and decided to stay. His first job in Hawaii was as an insurance salesman. He later began writing romance novels, published in both Ilocano and English, to cheer the lives of Filipino laborers who missed their homeland. His writings led him to becoming a reporter for the Philippine News Tribune.
Seeking a larger audience, Respicio turned to radio in 1946 and was made general chairman of the Filipino War Bond Drive in Hawaii during World War II. He helped raise more than $2 million in war bonds on his radio program in just a few months.
Respicio launched "Filipino Fiesta" show on KULA television (now KITV). It soon moved to KONA (now KHON), where it remained for the rest of its run.
Respicio was the creator, producer, director, talent booker and host for the show. He also handled advertising sales and read the commercials live on the air.
In a 1986 interview with The Honolulu Advertiser, Respicio said he felt the show "paved the way for Filipino acceptance and recognition in Hawaii. … It gave people a chance to know who we really are."
"Filipino Fiesta" aired on weekends, never missing an airdate. Even when Respicio was ill, he would make sure he had guest hosts fill in for him.
The show influenced a young Emme Tomimbang. "My dad, Tommy Tomimbang, had the first Filipino television show (‘The Maligayang Araw Show’) on KONA TV in the 1950s. I used to sing on my father’s shows. Then I began appearing on ‘Tata’ Respicio’s programs. I not only sang, but hosted it and even had an all-girl rock band, The Crestels, and we performed live several times.
"So, I sort of grew on up on this television show. As a host, I introduced a lot of young and older live bands and talent that performed at the old KONA studios in Kakaako."
"Filipino Fiesta" not only had musical performances, but also covered Philippines news and entertainment. Special guests included politicians and entertainers from Hawaii and the Philippines. The show also gave local Filipinos a chance to showcase their talents in singing and dancing.
Much like "The Ed Sullivan Show," the music on Respicio’s show varied at times from folk songs and ballroom music to rock ‘n’ roll. His trademark line was "Take it away," which he would use to signal his television crew to move the cameras over to the performers on stage.
In 1986 as the series came to a close, Respicio told the Advertiser he was proud of the impact the show had made.
"Because of the television program, mothers of younger people were encouraged to send their children to school to study singing and dancing. It helped younger people to appreciate their culture and to speak their native tongue," he said.
On Aug. 16, 1986, after 2,000-plus episodes, "Filipino Fiesta" ended its run with a two-hour finale. Respicio expressed sadness about the show’s ending but continued with his longtime radio show on KNDI.
He died at age 96 on Feb. 13, 2002, two days short of his 97th birthday.
A.J. McWhorter, a collector of film and videotape cataloging Hawaii’s TV history, has worked as a producer, writer and researcher for both local and national media. Email him at flashback@hawaii.rr.com.
