Bigger Pinoy festival set in British Columbia in June
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Bigger Pinoy festival set in British Columbia in June
Rowena Papasin,
TFC News
Published Apr 13, 2024 12:54 PM PHT

Organizers of this year's Pinoy Festival in British Columbia have vowed a bigger celebration on June 22.
Organizers of this year's Pinoy Festival in British Columbia have vowed a bigger celebration on June 22.
The Pinoy Festival Alliance and the Mabuhay Mouse Society are co-organizers of the event that has the support of more than 90 Filipino organizations.
The Pinoy Festival Alliance and the Mabuhay Mouse Society are co-organizers of the event that has the support of more than 90 Filipino organizations.
Leaders of the group expect more attendees to this year's iteration as the gathering moves the bigger Swangard Stadium in Burnaby.
Leaders of the group expect more attendees to this year's iteration as the gathering moves the bigger Swangard Stadium in Burnaby.
Activities in the event include the Hataw Zumbayanan, which is expected to be a big hit among festival-goers as organizers aim for a wider audience participation.
Activities in the event include the Hataw Zumbayanan, which is expected to be a big hit among festival-goers as organizers aim for a wider audience participation.
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The festival also promises the largest "Sissiwit" or the Igorot tribal dance.
The festival also promises the largest "Sissiwit" or the Igorot tribal dance.
A beer garden, one of the event's highlights, is also expected to draw crowds this year.
A beer garden, one of the event's highlights, is also expected to draw crowds this year.
Filipino-Canadian councilor Maita Santiago said she is grateful that Burnaby has given a grant to the festival that aims to celebrate Filipino culture.
Filipino-Canadian councilor Maita Santiago said she is grateful that Burnaby has given a grant to the festival that aims to celebrate Filipino culture.
Santiago added that she feels inspired by the overwhelming community support for the festival.
Santiago added that she feels inspired by the overwhelming community support for the festival.
"From Cordillera to Mindanao, from the youth to the seniors, we've really got everybody joining in," she said. "It's heart-warming, very inspiring. It will be a day to show our culture, our unity, and our pride."
"From Cordillera to Mindanao, from the youth to the seniors, we've really got everybody joining in," she said. "It's heart-warming, very inspiring. It will be a day to show our culture, our unity, and our pride."
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Mabuhay House Society chairperson Sammie Jo Rumbaua is hopeful that the Pinoy festival will further strengthen community engagement while promoting the cultural heritage of Filipinos.
Mabuhay House Society chairperson Sammie Jo Rumbaua is hopeful that the Pinoy festival will further strengthen community engagement while promoting the cultural heritage of Filipinos.
Organizers previously called for a community meeting to ensure participation of many groups in the planning of the activities.
Organizers previously called for a community meeting to ensure participation of many groups in the planning of the activities.
"There will be panda rides and Filipino Pinoy Olympics for the kids," said Rumbaua, "and also an exciting art exhibit. We're going to have a competition for the youth category to do on-the-spot painting and also a seniors' category, for them to do some painting."
"There will be panda rides and Filipino Pinoy Olympics for the kids," said Rumbaua, "and also an exciting art exhibit. We're going to have a competition for the youth category to do on-the-spot painting and also a seniors' category, for them to do some painting."
Local talents, rappers, DJs, as well as other live musical performers are expected to pull in the young Filipinos to the event.
Local talents, rappers, DJs, as well as other live musical performers are expected to pull in the young Filipinos to the event.
Vino Cuenca, a youth volunteer coordinator, stressed that for young Filipinos like him who were born and raised in Canada, it is important to continue to have a connection with the community.
Vino Cuenca, a youth volunteer coordinator, stressed that for young Filipinos like him who were born and raised in Canada, it is important to continue to have a connection with the community.
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"Growing up, I had a little bit of trouble connecting with my local Filipino community," he recalled. "The Pinoy Festival celebrates Filipinos of all backgrounds, regardless of whether you moved here when you were younger or you were born here in Canada."
"Growing up, I had a little bit of trouble connecting with my local Filipino community," he recalled. "The Pinoy Festival celebrates Filipinos of all backgrounds, regardless of whether you moved here when you were younger or you were born here in Canada."
Santiago, who served in the board of Mabuhay House Society, said it is remarkable to witness various Filipinos groups coming together to undertake this big project.
Santiago, who served in the board of Mabuhay House Society, said it is remarkable to witness various Filipinos groups coming together to undertake this big project.
"At the end of the day, it's about empowering our community, our leaders, our 'Kababayan' and everybody," she added. "This is a community effort. I think that's something that we can really be proud of."
"At the end of the day, it's about empowering our community, our leaders, our 'Kababayan' and everybody," she added. "This is a community effort. I think that's something that we can really be proud of."
The first Pinoy Festival in 2023 was also attended by several elected officials in British Columbia, including Premier David Eby.
The first Pinoy Festival in 2023 was also attended by several elected officials in British Columbia, including Premier David Eby.
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