By Rod Cantiveros
When the west meets the east, expect the best!
The 18th anniversary celebration of the Neepawa Lily Festival was held last weekend as spectators enjoyed the colorful varieties of lily flowers on display; as fun and music seekers met at the Lily Lounge Tent where Neepawa hospitality was celebrated with great fanfare. The thriving Filipino community in Neepawa engaged their cultural fares opening the weekend with Filipino nights with food, dance and song as staples for the night!
At Saturday’s Gigantic parade down Mountain Ave, both sides of the parade route, spectators lined the streets in the morning to have a better view of the extravaganza offered by the participants; classic cars, farm equipment, city and provincial officials including Neepawa Mayor, Bill Stilwell and PC leader Brian Palliser, the Lily Festival Queen, various organizations and businesses. The Filipino entourage added more colour, more lively music when the members of the Filipino community strutted their ethnic dances and bolted out their voices to the delights of the spectators. The Filipino Journal volunteers also joined the parade with our bright purple tour t-shirts.
“Wow, look that these lovely Filipino people, so much energy and how beautiful their dances are, and look at those lovely women, and look at those men, with small trappings,” one of the ladies seated at the street corner.
“Oh, that dance is known as Igorot Dance,” one of the Filipinos said.
“They are great people,” one man quipped.
With the two luxury buses of the Filipino Journal with more than one hundred people, mostly new Canadians, everyone was so excited to join the festival, the third time when the Filipino newspaper was involved.
At the Lily Nook, just a few kilometres south of Neepawa, is the place to enjoy the large selections of day lilies and everyone had so much fun for photo and selfies with all the varieties of the lily. So much amazement upon seeing the multicolored lily plants, hundreds of varieties at your fingertips; some bought lily plants and some just wandered among the countless lily blooms. Neepawa is the Lily Capital of the World!
“Ang saya-saya naman ng trip nating ito, sa totoo lang, I won’t forget this opportunity,” one of the new immigrants said. “At the Morden Corn and Apple Festival, siyempre, join din ako doon.”
Games were held and prizes were awarded while heading to Neepawa and everyone was happy.
Thanks to the Officials of the City of Neepawa, the Filipino Journal sponsors: MTS, McDonald McCafe, Rosalinda Natividad Cantiveros Foundation, MYXZ Images (Photography and Event Concepts) Sunnyday Group of Companies: Canton Food Gallery and Green Ninja Eatery and Bakery. Also special thanks to prize donors: Vickar Automotive Group, JS Furniture, UMAC door-to-door and money remittances and Lucky Supermarket. And thanks to our hardworking Filipino Journal volunteers.
After the memorable trip to the Neepawa Lily Festival, the tour was extended to a side-trip to Riding Mountain National Park for a quick visit to see the beauty of Clear Lake and the Wasagaming townsite.
After a full day of exploring Western Manitoba, it was back to Winnipeg with lots of photos, wonderful and unforgettable memories. As one woman on the bus said, “Next year, I will be joining again. With the free t-shirt, lots of games, prizes, and all that fun were well worth the $35 fare! Thanks Filipino Journal and the sponsors!”
Photos by Noel Jacinto, Adette Tripon, Rod Cantiveros and Ron Cantiveros
