Never in the history of community events in the Filipino community has there been many major cancellations and postponements due to the onslaught of COVID-19 pandemic.
Top of the list is the cancellation of one of the most colourful religious event, the Santacruzan (Mayuhan), celebrating the Christian traditions inspired by Queen Helena and Constantine. It also commemorates the veneration of St. Isidro Labrador, patron saints of farmers.
This is the first cancellation since Quezon Province Association of Manitoba started thIS annual event month of May since 1988.
“Mula po sa bumubuo ng QPAM, Inc., amin pong ipinararating na ang aming annual Santacruzan at Fiesta ni San Isidro Labrador, “Pahiyas” 2020 ay hindi po matutuloy sa Mayo 30, 2020,” Maggie Chan-Urbano, president of QPAM, says. “Ito po ay dahil sa kapakanan ng ating mga sarili at buong community. Isang pangyayari na hindi natin lahat inaasahan, at para po sa ikabubuti ng lahat, kami, ang mga officers at members, advisers ng QPAM Inc. ay sumusunod sa batas na inilunsad ng ating gobyierno. Salamat po sa inyong pang-unawa at magkikita-kita po tayo sa susunod na taon, 2021. Dalangin ko po ang kalusugan ng bawat isa,” Urbano added.
The most community-wide Manitoba Filipino Street Festival which is scheduled on June 13-14, 2020 has no decision yet but their mini-event of the annual Raffle draw has been moved to a later date.
Ley Navarro, chairperson, for the 2020 Manitoba Filipino Street Festivals says: “As per my arrangement with the LGCA, I can leave the date open for now and as soon as a date has been set, maybe sometime in December, to just let them know. They’re very gracious about allowing us to take our time.”
The Food Trip under the management of Lourdes Federis has been moved to July 11-12 at the Billy Mosienko parking space lot 709 Keewatin Street.
Manny Aranez, head of basketball group, told the Filipino Journal that the Annual Labor Day FBA Basketball Tournament to be held in Toronto is cancelled. And furthermore, he added that the playoffs of the basketball season have been postponed indefinitely. Announcement for the resumption of the playoff will be made.
The Philippine Heritage Council of Manitoba has been contacted but there is no response for what decisions to be made in the celebration of Philippine Heritage Week in June.
The Manitoba Council of Canadian Filipino Associations Inc’s Flag Raising ceremony at the City on the 1st week of June is under the discussion, as per conversation with Julie Holand Javier, of the Batangas Association of Manitoba, the current president of MaCCFA.
As organizers of community events are continuously monitoring and following government directives, updates on the said events should be available on social media.
