Durham Fil-Canadians hold Fiesta Week 2016
Durham Fil-Canadians hold Fiesta Week 2016
(Photos provided by Li Eron)
By Li Eron
DURHAM REGION, ONTARIO–The Filipino community in Durham Region is growing steadfastly these past years. One proof of this is the city of Pickering hosting an annual Filipino Fiesta celebration organized by a Filipino non- profit organization.
In Oshawa alone, you can see a lot of activities organized by Filipino individuals or organizations. These Filipinos made several twist and turns in their journeys before coming to Canada in order to create a new life. They brought with them the richness of their cultures and traditions and sharing it to the community in which they belong.
Filipino-Canadians are great at organizing support groups and building organizations to showcase their culture. For one specifically in Oshawa, Durham Region, an organization thrived triumphantly for over 34 years established 1982. They have been very active in the community for that span of time. DFCS- Durham Filipino-Canadian Society, Inc. lived through a lot in over 30 years contributing largely to the community including a Scholarship funds to two schools in Durham Region namely; University of Ontario Institute of Technology and Durham College.
This Fiesta Week 2016, an annual parade organized by the Oshawa Folk Arts Council, the DFCS represented the Filipino community on the 42nd annual parade with a Float that resembled the popular “Bahay Kubo” and proudly walk behind it wearing the traditional costumes which includes the participation of a ‘Reyna Elena’ impersonated by Fienness Mendoza, a budding solo artist from Hamilton.
DFCS also tabled a candidate for Miss Fiesta 2016 in the person of Elaine Cube. It was a colorful parade and kind of elegant for Filipinos with the DFCS president and Miss Fiesta Week 2016 riding in a red convertable.
The Oshawa Fiesta Week organized by the Oshawa Folk Arts Council is now running 42 years. This year it is participated by about 65 Floats. This year is also a come back by the Filipino community in their participation after being absent for many years.
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