Filipino Journal 2023 Year in Review

Lace up your skates because it’s skating season again!
After years of the pandemic, skaters can once again glide on the ice at the Forks Canopy Rink, CN Stage Rink and the Nestaweya River Trail.
The Forks is happy to welcome visitors to the groomed skating, walking, biking and cross-country ski trails; featuring free family-friendly programs such as horse-drawn sleigh rides, live DJ, storytelling, drumming and more all Sundays of January and February.
A group of friends – Malaya Tolentino, Wave Lacap, Gabriella Tolentino, Alec Grant, and Io Grant were just among the many who packed The Forks recently to welcome the winter and enjoy skating and other activities that the season offers.

The annual Fried Chicken Fest wrapped up its 10-day celebration of everything fried chicken. Chef Allan Pineda and Amanda Pineda hosted local chefs, foodies and media personalities at the judging rounds were spread over two days and featured 43 Winnipeg restaurants and their fried chicken creations. Fried Chicken Fest is in it’s 6th year and wrapped up on Saturday, January 21st.

Registration is now open for Filipino Bilingual classes for Kindergarten
and Grade 1 at Meadows West School with classes scheduled to start this coming September. The Manitoba Association of Filipino Teachers Inc. (MAFTI) hosted an open house to promote the benefits of bilingual programming. Rob Riel, Interim Superintendent, Winnipeg School Division shared insights from successful Aboriginal and Spanish Bilingual program offerings.

The Musica Singers of PCCM hosted a Valentine’s Concert at the Philippine-Canadian Centre of Manitoba (PCCM) on Friday, February 10th in front of a packed house. The musical concert highlighted songs and dances from popular Broadway musicals, jazz, retro and pop songs. Proceeds from the concert will help support programs and services at PCCM.

Team Toba was in the Philippines last month on a recruiting mission to attract internationally educated nurses to come work and live in Manitoba. The delegation included representatives from Shared Health, Manitoba Regional Health Authorities (RHAs), Manitoba Labour and Immigration, recruiters and led by Minister of Labour and Immigration, Jon Reyes. Photo supplied by Shared Health.

Camille Coronado (left) and Hannah Napolitano (right) lead the team at Local Collective, coordinating a Spring Pop-Up Market at Petrus Hall on Saturday, March 11, in collaboration with 55 small business owners, creators and makers. Celebrating their one-year anniversary, Local Collective’s event featured a diverse array of offerings, such as one-of-a-kind clothing, custom apparel, handmade jewelry, expertly crafted ceramics, curated vintage finds, delectable food, and digital art.

Local musical, “Ma-Buhay: Filipinos Singing for Their Lives,” recently held a successful free public reading for Draft 4 as part of its Phase 2 development. Created by talented Filipino-Canadian musical theatre artist,Joseph Sevillo,and presented by Rainbow Stage, the reading featured many songs and story elements and was presented to invited guests last April 1 at the Maples Theatre. The event provided Sevillo and his development team with valuable feedback that will help them further develop Phase 2. With the support of Rainbow Stage in a 3-phase development plan, Ma-Buhay is well on its way to hitting the stage for its world premiere in 2024.

What’s up, madlang pipol?! Winnipeg was once again on a wild ride last Tuesday, April 18, when the Unkabogable Vice Ganda brought the house down with her VGful Canada and USA Concert 2023. Presented by Pinoy Tribe Entertainment, the concert brought the audience on the edge of their seats with the powerful song and dance performances and hilarious stand up comedy of Vice Ganda. Despite a controversial show in Edmonton where her hair was pulled by unruly audience members, Vice shook it off and brought her signature brand of humor to Winnipeg, leaving the 1800-strong crowd in stitches. Joined by Asia’s Pop Heartthrob, Darren Espanto, and fellow comedians MC and Lassy, Vice proved once again why she is the reigning queen of comedy in the Philippines and beyond.

The first annual Filipino Journal “Blades of Glory” family ice skating extravaganza wrapped winter activities at Seven Oaks Arena earlier this month. It was an opportunity to bring family and friends for a fantastic time on the ice and celebrate with skating, laughter and cherished moments that included many first time skaters. New learn to skate and learn to play hockey initiatives are set for the fall so stay tuned.

The inaugural International Job & Career Fair at Petrus Hall was a roaring success, particularly for Health Careers Manitoba. As an exhibitor, they showcased a wide range of opportunities, meeting diverse, skilled job seekers eager to contribute to Manitoba’s healthcare sector. The event facilitated potent connections, bridged talent gaps, and ushered in a wave of fresh, qualified professionals including eager job seekers with visitor visas. The fair is proof of the impactful results achieved when dynamic job seekers and innovative employers meet, especially during live in-person hiring events. Hon. Jon Reyes, Minister of Immigration and Labour was on hand to provide welcome greetings to all job seekers and employers.

Hon. Premier Heather Stefanson, accompanied by Ministers Jon Reyes (Labour & Immigration) and Obby Khan (Sport, Culture, and Heritage), took part in a significant event alongside Filipino community leaders at the Manitoba Legislature, where they unfurled a monumental 30ft x 60ft Philippine Super Flag. The occasion coincides with the commencement of June, which is officially recognized in Manitoba and throughout Canada as Filipino Heritage Month.

The “Pista sa MAFTI, Wika, Kultura, Pamana at Iba Pa.” brought together Filipino heritage students from 14 different classes, their families, and diverse community members, creating a gathering of an estimated 340 students including this class from Lord Nelson School. The Manitoba Filipino Association of Teachers Inc (MAFTI) continue to provide valuable opportunities for Filipino heritage students to connect with their roots while sharing their culture with the larger community.

Coming back in style! After a four-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Manitoba Filipino Street Festival parade returned with a bang on June 24. The vibrant energy, color, and rhythm filled the streets once again, as over 500 participants, including sponsors, partners, and associations, showcased their traditional costumes and decorations. The parade was an enthralling presentation, enchanting the community and spreading joy throughout. The streets came alive, and the spirit of togetherness flourished as the Manitoba Filipino Street Festival parade resumed its rightful place as a cherished tradition in Manitoba.

Live from the 2023 Winnipeg Fringe Festival, Ma-Buhay: The Road to Rainbow Stage is a 60 Minute Workshop Presentation featuring 9 songs from the new, all-Filipino musical: Ma-Buhay! Filipinos Singing For Their Lives in development with Rainbow Stage. Written and directed by Joseph Sevillo, Ma-buhay! The Road to Rainbow Stage has 7 shows at the Tom Hendry Warehouse Theatre (Venue 6) 140 Rupert Ave. from July 19-29.

The Filipino community joyously welcomed the Philippine delegation to the World Police and Fire Games last July 31 at the Philippine Canadian Centre of Manitoba. Led by Police Lt. General Rhodel O. Sermonia, these exceptional athletes were honored with an evening of heartfelt testimonials, entertainment, and camaraderie. Gratitude resonates for the dedicated organizers, volunteers, and the entire community who orchestrated this memorable event. As World Police and Fire Games draws to a close, all eyes are set on the upcoming August 6 closing ceremony happening at The Forks CN Stage.

The Pearl of the Orient Pavilion made a triumphant return to Folklorama 2023 after a 4-year hiatus, offering attendees an immersive journey into the heart of Filipino culture. Under the leadership of Goldie Garcia from Magdaragat, the Pavilion overcame challenges and emerged stronger, with young performers shining, volunteers and memberships growing. Beyond captivating dance and song, the Pavilion introduced innovative features like a karaoke setup and a photobooth against the grandeur of a Philippine super flag. Del Pelagio emphasized the event’s holistic experience, noting the warmth and vibrancy of the Filipino community echoed in every interaction.

Sen. Gigi Osler, a trailblazing Filipina-Canadian, emphasized the importance of being a pioneer for the community during a recent empowering event hosted by the MFBC and Kultivation Festival.The event served as an inspiration for attendees, highlighting the need for trailblazers to forge paths that enable others to follow, ultimately contributing to the broader development and progress of society. Senator Osler pictured in the middle along with MFBC Board of Directors.

Winnipeg’s Filipino-Canadian community celebrated the third annual Manitoba Upo Festival on September 2, marking a significant increase in participation and festivities compared to previous years. The festival, which revolves around the harvest of bottle gourds (upo) grown in local backyards, drew in around 500 attendees.
This year’s event featured 50 impressive upo entries, competing for the titles of the longest and heaviest upo. It also showcased a variety of activities, including games, contests, and entertainment, with a martial arts demonstration. The festival’s success was made possible by a dedicated team of volunteers and generous sponsors. It has become a cherished tradition in Winnipeg’s Filipino community, promising even more excitement in the years to come.

Seven Oaks Arena was buzzing as Filipino and South Asian kids – including Nathan, Jacob and Clara strapped on their skates for the First Shift hockey program. Sponsored by Bauer Hockey, Winnipeg Jets and APNA Hockey, First Shift is a program crafted to make the initial steps into the world of hockey as smooth, enjoyable, and exciting as possible. Over the course of the 6-week introduction to hockey, these young stars are not just mastering the puck but also building friendships and memories. First Shift proves: hockey’s not just a game, it’s a global party!

Fall is in the air at Red River Exhibition Park with the arrival of Witchy Wonderland. The Santa Cruz family visited the inaugural event and hung out with costumed hosts. As families entered, they were immediately transported to several themed Halloween displays, including the haunted Wild West town of Tombstone, which provided a picturesque photo backdrop.

Last Octobe 31, 2023, the third batch of nurses through the Philippine Recruitment Initiative of Manitoba arrived at the Winnipeg Richardson Airport. The group included John Valdez, Shayne Salonga, Vicente Ganzon Jr., and Matet Salcedo, along with their families. They were greeted with warm hospitality by healthcare professionals, members of the Philippine Nursing Association of Manitoba, and PCCM President Virgie Gayot. These four nurses are among the nearly 300 individuals who had accepted job offers during Manitoba’s recruitment mission held in the Philippines back in February of the same year. Their arrival marks a significant step in addressing healthcare staffing needs in the region and signifies the successful collaboration between Manitoba and the Philippines in bringing these talented healthcare professionals to the province.

NHL Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson revisited Winnipeg, marking a year since the groundbreaking of 2022 Filipino Heritage Night in November. This special meet and greet offered a unique chance for ‘Robo’ to engage with budding Filipino hockey stars, fostering connections through initiatives like First Shift (Apna Hockey, Bauer, and NHL) and the Jets Hockey Development camps.

Chef Norm Pastorin, culinary visionary and owner of BASTA! is excited to welcome local community and visitors to a unique food experience celebrating Filipino heritage. Opening its doors on December 1, BASTA! brings the rich tapestry of Filipino-inspired cuisine to the heart of the city, located at the Forks Market. Meaning “…it just is” in Filipino, BASTA! encapsulates the simplicity of Filipino flavors, weaving together a cultural homage to the community’s history in Winnipeg since the 1960s. With an all day, all night breakfast offering, patrons can savor Filipino warmth and hospitality at the heart of Winnipeg.

Councillor Devi Sharma joined a merry throng at Seven Oaks Arena, where families reveled in holiday spirit, skating with Santa and Mrs. Claus. “Skate with Santa” was complete with cheer and goodwill, was not just about fun; it was a community effort to support Acorn Family Place, making the season brighter for those in need.