GIRLS WHO CODE
The girls (left to right), Avaiya Alibudbud, Isabella Recuenco and Bea Zamora walked away with “Best Group Game” (Tier 1 – Grades 4-6) at Game On 2019. Presenting the award was Darryl Long, Managing Director from Ubisoft Winnipeg. Game On was a2-day celebration of game design, interactive media and coding by over 300 students from grades 4-12 from 26 Manitoba schools and hosted by Sisler High School’s Interactive Digital Media program. – February 5-20, 2019
A MAZE IN SNOW
They survived the snow maze! Lory & Elton Villamin, Lorraine Rancha and Mark Mejica and kids walked out of the snow maze exit with smiles on their faces. The snow maze was built to become the largest snow maze in the world, according to Guiness World Records. Official measurement is expected to happen in early February. St. Adolphe is a short 20-30min drive south from Winnipeg and is home to A Maze In Corn, an extremely popular summer activity destination.- January 20- February 5, 2019
NEW YEAR’S DAY SKATE
The cold weather on New Year’s Day didn’t stop their family outing on the Red River Mutual Trail at the Forks. (L-R) Rhaven, Samantha, Shantal Macabeo and Patrick dela Cruz laced up their skates for the first time. The Red River Mutual Trail officially opens on Friday, January 4th.- January 5-20, 2019
ONE IN A MILLION FASHION AFFAIR
Catwalk for a Cure’s mission was to raise awareness of Creutzfeldt- Jakob Disease (CJD). It is a rare, degenerative, fatal brain disorder that claims the lives of one to 1 ½ out of a million people around the world each year. Michelle Santos lost her mother to the disease was instrumental in bringing her family and the community together for a fashion affair a few weeks ago to raise awareness and funds to support research in finding a cure for CJD.- February 20-March 5, 2019
GONE TOO SOON
Jaime “Jimboy” Adao Jr. was set to graduate from Tech Voc Culinary Arts this year with aspirations of becoming a chef and helping his parents grow their bakery business. All their dreams shattered after Jimboy was killed in a random house invasion Sunday night.- March 5-20, 2019
PINAY POWER
In celebration of the International Women’s Day, Pinays MB, Inc. has once again recognized the contributions of three Pinay trailblazers in the community last March 23rd at the Marlborough Hotel.
The three outstanding Pinays include Loizza Aquino for her leadership and advocacy for mental health, Melody Balane for her achievements and contributions in sports and Maanne Dionisio for her inspiration and contributions in the field of performing arts.- April 5-20, 2019
JETS FANS WHITEOUT FEVER
The Winnipeg Jets are back in the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs and Jets fans are dressing up in white to show their team support during the outdoor Whiteout Street Parties. Over 30,000 fans including John Ilag and his family made it out the outdoor street parties along the streets in and around Bell MTS Place. The parties continue when the Jets host the Blues for Game 5 on Thursday night.- April 20-May 5, 2019
ANNE KULIT: TOUCHED BY “MADLANG” WINNIPEG
After two successful concerts, Annebisyosa in 2012 and Annekapal in 2014, Anne Curtis performed in Winnipeg what she promised (in the title itself) to be her last concert, AnneKulit: Promise last na ‘to. It was the show that celebrated her 21 years in show business last August 2018 and got the Araneta big dome in uproar with its spectacular production. Here in Winnipeg, the Fil-Aussie actress got a standing ovation which made her emotional, thanking the madlang Winnipeg for their love.- March 20-April 5,2019
MS RED CARPET TRIO
Lizelle Mendoza, Chef Calvin Truong (KYU Grill) and Chef Jeremy Senaris (Masterchef Canada) teamed up to bring the MS Red Carpet Gala VIP pop-up dinner at the Centennial Concert Hall. The red carpet gala featured a 5-course dinner, silent auction and entertainment by the WSO with proceeds supporting MS Society of Manitoba.- May 5-20, 2019
CELEBRATING COMMUNITY LEADERS
The Asian Heritage Society of Manitoba honoured community leaders for their outstanding contributions to Winnipeg and have helped shape our vibrant and multicultural city. The awardees (L-R) Kamta Roy Singh, Pamela Wong, Dr. Irene Guzman, Dr. Roland Guzman, Chef Sadao Ono, Pamela Rebello and Gary Liu were given leadership awards for their active involvement in Winnipeg. The AHSM held their fundraising gala on May 3rd at the Clarion Hotel. May 20-June 5,2019
THE FACES OF THE FESTIVAL
The rain at the 2019 Manitoba Filipino Street Festival didn’t dampen the spirits of the parade performers including Debra Dawal from the Brandon Filipino Community group. The group won 2nd place in Best Cultural Dance Category.- June 20-July 5, 2019
FILIPINO HERITAGE MONTH
Filipino communities across Canada will be celebrating the first official Filipino Heritage Month after Parliamentary approval back in October 2018. The Quezon Province Association of Manitoba celebrated their annual Santacruzan last week to kick off heritage celebrations in Winnipeg.- June 5-20, 2019
HAPPY CANADA DAY
Canadians from coast to coast to coast celebrated the Canada Day long weekend with parties, fireworks and family get togethers. Sophia Godilano and her parents, Mark and Karen Godilano celebrated her first Canada Day with a trip to the Forks and a special Canada Day onesie to mark the occasion.- July 5-20, 2019.
ONE IN A MILLION FASHION AFFAIR
With the many garage sales around the city where most of the items are let go in exchange of extra cash, the Light of Jesus Family-Singles organized one to raise funds for an annual spiritual retreat that is very important to them. LOJF- Singles members Bryan Mesias and Pria Alimario organized the event together with their friends, Jarome Venturina, Cathy Mesias, Jayms Labasbas, Dada Dizon, Marc Fernandez, Chris Garcia and Esa Balsomo.- August 5-20, 2019
FOLKLORAMA AT 50
It was an amazing two weeks in Winnipeg as Folklorama celebrated its 50 years last August 4-17, 2019. Canada’s biggest and longest running multicultural festival had brought together performers and volunteers to showcase more than forty pavilions, displaying diverse cultures through remarkable performances.
The Pearl of The Orient Pavilion, presented by Magdaragat Philippines Inc. had once again extended the Filipino hospitality to their guests through fun and vibrant traditional performances, delectable Filipino cuisine and artistic cultural display. Marcelo Aiello and Calia Pacle step over and in between the poles as they dance one of Philippine’s traditional folk dances, Tinikling.- August 20-September 5, 2019
BERRY SEASON IS HERE
The strawberries are ripe for the picking and Aulelei & Noah Santoyo enjoyed an evening of harvesting four cases of bright ruby-red and sweet strawberries. Strawberry picking is finally here and an annual summertime adventure.- July 20-August 5, 2019
QPAM 30TH YEAR GALA CELEBRATES HISTORY AND FOUNDERSCLIENT
Quezon Province Association of Manitoba’s year-long celebration of their 30th Anniversary was highlighted by a Gala Night last August 24th at the Skyview Ballroom of the Marlborough Hotel. It was a memorable night of honours and recognitions, great times with friends and amazing performances which included QPAM Ladies’ folk dance in their vibrant costumes.- September 5-20, 2019
WINNIPEG HOSTS 3RD GOLDEN BALANGAY AWARDS
Toronto-based Golden Balangay Awards, a Canada-wide recognition of outstanding Filipino-Canadian, came to Winnipeg on it’s third year last September 7th, 2019 at the Winnipeg Arts Gallery. This is the first time that the awards was brought to a different city after it was held for two years in Toronto. The event was headed and organized by Judianne Jayme, 2018 recipient of the Golden Balangay’s Excellence in Media Award. Part of the event was the ceremonial passing of the GBA “sagwan” (paddle) to the next year’s hosting city which is Albert.- September 20-October 5, 2019
USTAAMI SCHOLARS: EXCELLENCE IN ACADEMICS AND VOLUNTEERISM
The 2019 University of Santo Tomas Alumni Association of Manitoba’s scholars: from left to right: Gerald Carbonell, chairman; Reyna Reyes, Johhan Austin Ong, Maxine Anne Restar, Andrei Joshua Loredo, Vianca Gamboa, Roland Anghelo Salacup, Nathaniel Gian Dizon and Regina Santos, chairperson, USTAAMI scholarship committee.- November 5-20, 2019
INANG TURNS 100, JOINS CENTENARIAN CLUB
A big Filipino community recently celebrated a significant milestone — 100th birthday of kababayan Mercedes Calixterio, lovingly called as “Inang” by her family and friends. Inang Mercedes was born on September 24, 1919 just after the first World War. She was a teacher in the Philippines before she moved to Winnipeg in 1986. She is a mother of 12 and a grandmother to 21 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren. Not a milestone reached by many, the family of Inang Mercedes, led by her daughter Trifona Bermisa, just feels immensely blessed that she has lived a lifetime and they are grateful to share these many years with their mother queen.- October 5-20, 2019
CANADA VOTES ON OCTOBER 21
Jaina Antazo is one of the over 4 million who voted in advance polls for the 2019 Canadian federal election. Together with her husband Nico and sons Arkien and Apollo, they hit the advance poll last October 12. Jaina shared that this is her first time to vote in advance hoping that it would be faster and less of a hassle. Contrary to what she thought, there was a long line up that she had to endure before she could cast her ballot. But she did not mind knowing that the voting schedule got affected by the winter storm. More importantly, she knew that it would be worth the wait to exercise her right to vote and support the party whom she believes can give her family a better future. On October 21st, Canada will once again vote. Like the Antazo’s,your hope for a better Canada and a better future lies in your hands. So go out and let your vote count. – October 20-November 5, 2019
ALL SMILES FOR SANTA
Filipinos represent! The Manitoba Filipino Street Festival, together with other community groups, joined and represented the Filipino community at the recently held annual Winnipeg Santa Claus Parade. The Filipino spirit of Christmas was definitely present with the showcasing of iconic Bahay Kubo and Parol (lanterns) and the joyful singing and dancing to Tagalog Christmas songs, not to mention the unity and volunteerism. It was indeed a night where most kababayans just felt happy and proud being Filipinos.- November 20-December 5, 2019
BIZ KIDS TURNING IDEAS TO CASH
Young entrepreneurs aged 6-18 shone at the annual Paskong Pinoy last November 23 at Petrus Hall. Now on its fourth year, the Filipino Christmas festival partnered with Toronto-based B2BPRENEUR to feature Children’s Bazaar. B2BPRENEUR or Bata to Batapreneur (Child to Childpreneur) aims to promote financial literacy and entrepreneurship among kids who are venturing into more than lemon stands now and turning their ideas to cash.
Boys and girls excitedly promoted and sold their products such as food, toys, accessories, crafts, etc, that they either made or outsourced. The young hustlers demonstrated
entrepreneurial skills while having fun at their one-day
Christmas Market venture.- December 5-20, 2019
