The Garden City Shopping Centre and its surrounding became a mini-Philippines last August 25 when more than 35 groups of enthusiastic kababayans bonded together to celebrate the many regional festivals and rituals which have become the indelible marks of being a Filipino in a multicultural society.
With colorful floats and costumes plus the cacophony of folk music and chants, the lilting sound of the drums, and the uninhibited street dancing, the one day celebration has elevated the Filipino ethnicity to a certain height of recognition and preservation of our culture and heritage. Indeed, the 1st Manitoba Filipino Street Festival was as instant success, thanks to the organizers, committee members, volunteers and to all participating associations and organizations.
The street festival started with a great funfare and as the many Filipino groups paraded along the designated route, people from the various ethnic groups and our canadian friends had the first glimpse of what Filipinos have to celebrate the various festivals and rituals in the Philippines.
“Wow, Parang nasa ‘Pinas ako,” one Filipino said as she followed the steps of the Bibak dancers. “Ang ganda naman ng festival na ito.”
One Pinoy said to me: “This is a big event, man! Hope they will continue!
While the street dancings were going on, some judges had been working hard to select the best float, dancing and costumes. Each category had a $300 cash award.
And the winners were: best float- Association of Ilocano in Manitoba (AIM), Aklan Association of Manitoba; and Pangasinan Group of Manitoba; for best costume, Association of Ilocano in Manitoba (AIM), Bibak Association, and Aklan Association of Manitoba; best costume, Filcasa, Angono Rizal Association of Winnipeg (ARAW) and Tribu Sugbo of Cebu.
The special fundraising for the Philippine flood victims raised $1,080 and this amount is to be sent to GMA Foundation for Food Victims.
The organizers and the committees extended special thanks to the following sponsors: Jim Gauthier Automotive Group, Garden City Shopping Centre, McPhillips Toyota, LBC, Terra Commons-Rim Rock Realty Inc., Birchwood Hyundai, GMA Pinoy, GMA Life TV, Artista and the Filipino Journal.
