Independence day festivals celebrate bond with Canada

By Mata Press Service

A month-long series of community events will highlight the 120th anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence in British Columbia, home to about 160,000 Filipino-Canadians.

Philippines Consul General in Vancouver Neil Frank R. Ferrer encouraged everyone, Filipinos and Canadians alike, to join in this year’s month-long celebration of Philippine Independence and friendship between the Philippines and Canada.

“It has been one hundred and twenty years since the Philippine national anthem, “Lupang Hinirang”, was first played and the Philippine national flag was unfurled, symbolizing a free and sovereign Philippines,” he said in a statement.

“Today we are one with Filipinos around the world in commemorating the sacrifices, the battles, and the triumphs our forefathers endured and withstood so that we can live our lives free from oppression, and with dignity and pride.

“We also take this occasion to celebrate the strong bonds of friendship between the Philippines and Canada, enriched and strengthened over the years by our shared values and enduring people-to-people linkages.” he said.

Guided by this year’s Independence Day theme, “Kalayaan 2018: Pagbabagong Ipinaglaban, Alay sa Masaganang Kinabukasan,” we call on every Filipino to support the momentum towards positive and constructive change, said Ferrer.

“Wherever we find ourselves in this dynamic world, we should not fail to explore ways on how to contribute to our country’s “present story”, not just history, through our continued resilience, cohesiveness, and team spirit.

“I have drawn from your enthusiasm and energy in your demonstration of unwavering affirmation of our Filipino identity and heritage amidst a multi-cultural and diverse environment. I could not be prouder.”

Leading the month-long celebration is a series of Philippine flag raising ceremonies in the Cities of Vancouver on 3 June; Richmond on 10 June; North Vancouver; New Westminster and Yellowknife, NWT, all on 11 June 2017.

Dinner and dance events are also being organized by the United Masskara Cultural Society on 3 June at the Vancouver Alpen Club; the Victoria Filipino Canadian Association on 9 June at the Island Wok Restaurant in Victoria, BC; the Filipino Association of British Columbia (FABC) on 10 June at the St. Patrick’s Recreation Centre; and the Circulo Cagayano Association of BC also on 10 June at the Holiday Inn Broadway. The United Filipino-Canadians Association in BC (UFCABC) will hold its gala dinner on 17 June at the Westin Bayshore Hotel.

Majority of the festivities are happening on the weekend of 10-11 June such as FUNtastic Canada by the Multicultural Helping House Society Richmond 55+sers at Richmond Cultural Centre; SPIDs Annual PID celebration at the Bridgeview Park Community Centre; and the Fiesta Filipino by Club Filipino Okanagan Shuswap at Vernon Recreation Centre in Vernon, all scheduled on 10 June. The Royal City Sister City Society’s Independence Day celebration with parade at the Quay in New Westminster is on 11 June while MVPACES’ 2-days Philippine Days Festival is set on 10-11 June at the Waterfront Park in North Vancouver.

While most of the PID events are in June, some activities are also spread in the early weeks of July such as the New West Multicultural Festival on 1 July at the New Westminster Pier Park, 5th Anniversary of Philippine Historama on 8 July at the Michael J. Fox Theatre and the UFCABC’s Pista Ng Bayan’s Festival of Festivals on 9 July at the Memorial South Park, Vancouver.

Here are some of the major events;

What: Independence Day Dinner and Dance

Where: Island Wok Restaurant, Victoria BC

When: June 9, 2017

What: FUNtastic Canada

Where: Richmond City Hall Plaza, Richmond Cultural Centre

When: June 10, 2017

What: 9th Annual SPIDS Phillippine Independence Day Celebration

Where: Bridgeview Park Community Center, 12560 115 Ave, Surrey, BC.

When: June 10,2017

What: FABC Dinner and Dance

Where: St. Patrick’s Recreation Center, Vancouver

When: June 10, 2017

What: Fiesta Filipino

Where: Vernon Recreation Centre, Vernon BC

When: June 10, 2017

What: KALAYAAN 2017: Dinner and Dance Gala

Where: Holiday Inn Broadway, Vancouver

When: June 10, 2017

What: 2017 Philippine Days Festival Theme: “PILIPINAS 119 celebrates CANADA 150”

Where: The Waterfront Park, North Vancouver

When: June 10-11, 2017

What: New Westminster Flag Raising, Thanksgiving Mass and Parade

Where: St. Peter Catholic Church (Mass); Friendship Garden City Hall (Flag Raising); Boardwalk, River Market, Quay

When: June 11, 2017

What: Philippine Flag Raising Activity (Proclamation of Philippine Day) by the City Council of North Vancouver, Headed by His Worship, Mayor Darrell Mussatto

Where: Civic Plaza, North Vancouver (14th and Lonsdale)

When: June 11, 2017

What: 119th Philippine Independence Day Consular Reception

Where: Coast Coal Harbour Hotel, Vancouver BC

When: June 12, 2017

What: UFCABC Gala

Where: Westin Bayshore Hotel

When: June 17, 2017

What: New West Multicultural Festival

Where: New Westminster Pier Park

When: July 1, 2017

What: 5th Anniversary of Philippine Historama

Where: Michael J. Fox Theatre

When: July 8, 2017

What: Pista ng Bayan: Festival of Festivals

Where: Memorial South Park, Vancouver

 When:  July 9, 2017