PH National Day, Heritage Month & Summer Fests

PH National Day, Heritage Month & Summer Fests

The Philippine Festival Mississauga
(Photo provided)

By Irish Mae Silvestre
The Philippine Reporter

The community is gearing up to celebrate June as the first ever Filipino Heritage Month. The motion, passed by Toronto City Council in November 2017, recognizes Filipino culture and the many achievements and contributions of Filipino-Canadians.

In addition to the hugely popular Mabuhay Festival, the Philippine Independence Day Council (PIDC) is also hosting the PIDC Pageant. New to the list is the newly formed Filipino Heritage Month Council (FHMC) that’s working to promote the culture through school curriculums, an upcoming commemorative book and various events.
Here are some of this summer’s highlights:

Pinoy Fiesta and Trade Show, June 16, 9 a.m.
Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building, 255 Front Street West, Toronto, www.philippinecanadianfoundation.com/pinoyfiestatorontoThe annual and highly anticipated event by the Philippine Canadian Charitable Foundation, the Pinoy Fiesta and Trade Show promises all day entertainment, food and vendors. Expect celebrity appearances by Solenn Heussaff and Betong Sumaya. Tickets are available at the door. Admission is $15, and free for children 10 years old and under, seniors over 65 years old and immigrants who arrived less than two years ago.

Little Miss Philippines and Miss Philippines PIDC 2018, June 23 at 2 p.m.
Isabel Bader Theatre, 93 Charles Street West, Toronto
The beauty pageant will have candidates vying to become the next Little Miss Philippines and Miss Philippines. Contestants have the chance to win various prizes in addition to the highly coveted title.

The Philippine Festival Mississauga, July 7 to 8, 11 a.m.
Mississauga Celebration Square, 300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga, philfestmississauga.com
Formerly known as Fiesta ng Kalayaan, The Philippine Festival Mississauga is one of the biggest cultural events this summer and will feature local and international artists courtesy of ABS-CBN. In addition to the Kids Village, attendees can also check out artwork by the Philippine Artists Group. The new ‘Bumper to Bumper’ car show will feature 60 souped-up cars.

Taste of Manila, August 18 to 19, Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.
Bathurst Street (Laurelcrest to Wilson Avenue), Toronto, www.tasteofmanilacanada.com
Bathurst Street is set to be even busier as foodies flock to the annual Taste of Manila, which showcases Filipino cuisine. Expect barbecues galore and some all-time favorite treats.

Mabuhay Philippines Festival, August 25 to 26, Nathan Phillips Square, 100 Queen Street West, Toronto
The event that draws huge crowds each year, the Mabuhay Philippines Festival is a two-day celebration of Filipino culture in the heart of Toronto.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Heritage Month Opening Reception, June 2 at 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
With Councilor Neethan Shan and FHMC
Malvern Public Library, 30 Sewells Road, Scarborough (RSVP requested)

Proudly Pinoy Day, June 9
By the Toronto Catholic District School Board, Francis Libermann Catholic High School, 4640 Finch Avenue East, Scarborough

Taste of Manila and Little Manila Philippine Flag-Raising, June 10 at 1.00 p.m. to 3.00 p.m.
With PCCC and Councilor James Pasternak
Mabuhay Parkette, North York

Philippine Independence Day Event, June 12 at 9 a.m.
Philippine Consulate General, 7th Floor, 160 Eglinton Avenue East, Toronto

Philippine Independence Day Flag Raising and Program, June 12 at 12.00 p.m. to 3.00 p.m., Federation of Filipino Canadians-Ontario (FFCO),
Legislative Assembly of Ontario, 111 Wellesley Street West, Toronto (Pre-registration is required to enter the Legislative Building)

TCDSB Filipino Heritage Day Inaugural Event, June 12 at 12.00 p.m. to 3.00 p.m.,
Catholic Education Centre, 80 Sheppard Avenue, East, North York

Filipino Heritage Month ‘Pamana’ Cultural Exhibits
Scarborough Civic Centre Rotunda, 150 Borough Drive, Scarborough, June 12 to 17
Toronto City Hall Rotunda, 100 Queen Street West, Toronto, June 28 to 29

GTA Hoops ‘Palaro sa Kabataan’ Invitational Basketball Tournament, June 16 to 17
Downsview HoopDome, Sheppard Avenue West, North York

Filipino Centre Toronto (FCT) ‘Pistahan sa Toronto,’ June 16 to 17
Nathan Phillips Square, City Hall, Queen and Bay Street

Salo-Salo Picnic, June 17
Philippine Independence Day Council (PIDC), Venue TBA

Rizal Birth Anniversary and Wreath Laying Event, June 19 at 4.00 p.m.
Knights of Rizal (KOR), Earl Bales Park, 4169 Bathurst Street, North York

Tita Collective’s Tawa Comedy Festival, June 22 at 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Bad Dog Theatre, 875 Bloor Street West, Toronto

Heritage Toronto’s Little Manila Walking Tour, June 23 at 1:30 p.m. and August 18 at 1:30 p.m.
Guided tours allow participants to explore Toronto’s Little Manila neighborhood and learn about its rich history and growing food market. ($10 suggested donation)
Bathurst-Wilson Parkette, 3749 Bathurst Street, North York, heritagetoronto.org/event/little-manila-migration-food-identity/

Vaughan Fiesta Extravaganza, June 23 to 24
Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughn (FCAV) and MCBN, Dufferin Clark Community Centre Park, Dufferin and Clark Avenue, Vaughan