OCEANSIDE -- The delicious aromas of traditional Filipino foods wafted through Oceanside's Civic Center Plaza at the North County Filipino-American community's annual cultural celebration Saturday.

The treats included pancit (a stir-fried noodle and vegetable dish), lumpia (vegetable or ground beef eggrolls), and adobo (chicken or pork braised in soy sauce, vinegar, onion and garlic).

Kicking off the eighth annual Filipino Cultural Celebration was a fashion show of traditional clothing worn in the many different regions of the Philippines, followed by beauty pageants, scholarship awards and ending with a colorful display of folk dances. Â

Every year on June 12, Filipinos around the world commemorate the Philippines' independence from 300 years of Spanish rule. For the Fil-Am Cultural Association of North San Diego County, the celebration has become an ethnic awareness campaign.

"Anywhere in the world where there are Filipino groups, we like to share our culture with everybody," said Ted Lintan, emcee of the event for the past eight years. "It was introduced to us by the older generation; now we're doing the same for the younger generation. Not just for the Filipino community, but for everyone as well."

According to Lintan, Filipinos are a mixture of different races, and the Philippines is made up of thousands of islands, each with its own unique way of celebrating the culture.

Oceanside's Mrs. Fil-Am 2008, Jacqueline Forbes Ortega said, "We're friendly people, and we want to show America that we exist."

Originally from a small rice-growing province named Laguna, Ortega has lived in Oceanside since 1989.

"I love Oceanside, and I'm never leaving," she said.

Lyn Leahy, a resident of Oceanside for 30 years said, "This event helps to keep us together. We have a large community here in Oceanside because of the Navy and Marine Corps, and we would like to share it with everyone."

"It's cultural diversity in a culturally diverse community," said Oceanside Mayor Jim Wood. "This is a way for others to see the beautiful costumes and the lovely men and women of the Philippines."

According to Deborah Polich, director of the Oceanside Public Library, the Filipino Cultural Celebration in Oceanside started as a way to focus on the traditions, art, costumes, food, music and dance of the Philippines. She pointed out that many people aren't aware of how many Filipino Americans live in Oceanside and the rest of North County.

"We're really proud to be a part of this," she said. "It's been a nice collaboration for the library, and every year it's gotten bigger and better."

Rica Derosier, president of the Fil-Am Cultural Association of North San Diego, explained that the goal of the annual celebration is to promote better relations between the United States and the Philippines, preserve and promote the Filipino heritage and to provide a mechanism for its introduction into the American culture.

She added that the organization also provides charitable assistance wherever and whenever needed. Scholarships were awarded to deserving college-bound students from three different North County high schools.

Peter Weiss of Oceanside said, "I came for the food. It's awesome. I love Filipino food."