FAAP Film Fest

The Film Fest was conceived to provide an entertainment experience while raising funds for charitable causes. Great movies produced and directed by Filipinos with themes depicting cultural values and western influences in daily Filipino life provoke the curiosity and interests of those who have been away from the Philippines.

Joe Ravano is considered the Father of the FAAP Film Fest while Tina Purpura is considered its "Mama". Together they have organized two Film Fests, one in 2003 and the other in 2005.

To celebrate Philippine Independence Day and Father's Day, the first fest in 2003 was held on June 15, 2003 at The Oaks Theater in Oakmont, PA, supported by ABS-CBN, Regal Films and Star Cinema of the Philippines. Intermission for the movie marathon was a dinner hosted and prepared by the Cookbook Committee, to promote the then new Third Edition of "Cooking with the Filipinos of Pittsburgh PA". Proceeds from the event were allocated to the Philippine Nationality Room, the Pagmamahal sa Kapwa Foundation, One Day Medical Clinic, and the Angel Mission Project Orphanage.

The second film fest was a "Drive-in to the FilAm Big Screen" on a golf cart at sundown on October 8, 2005, preceded by a rib-cookout dinner. However, due to inclement weather, the outdoor component was replaced by a make-shift movie theater indoors at the Edgewood Country Club, Churchill, PA. Proceeds from this event were allotted to the "Henry the Hand" Project, Filipino victims of typhoon Katrina (through Philippine Consulate General in New York) and to the FAAP Cultural and Scholarship funds.