The PIDC Mabuhay Philippines Festival : Commemoration of a Legacy

 
By Tony A. San Juan, OCT
Toronto-Canada
August 8, 2018
 


Festival, in whatever form and setting , readily evokes meaning and images of celebration with fun, food, faith, fellowship  and festive atmosphere.  The celebration really propels people in transcending and transforming all things characteristically relevant  to arts & beauty, talent & skills, perspectives & peculiarities and in true  bayanihan spirit , of  appreciating, adhering,  and becoming profoundly  proud of one's culture, history and heritage.



In this respect, the ever prestigious  The Mabuhay Philippines Festival , as the anchor event of the Philippine Independence Day Council- PIDC ,is celebrating its 20th year  on August 23, 25 & 26. 2018 in Toronto, Canada.

The Philippine Independence Day Council -PIDC  has a solid history of organizing significant community events in Canada for almost 20  years. Opo, dalawang dekada at parang kailan lamang. It started as an idea over a casual conversation with a balikbayan guest in a travel agency. The Filipino Canadian community was  in the cusp of celebrating the centenary year of the Philippine's independence day....our "Araw ng Kalayaan" in 1998. Then Norma Carpio, a dedicated & charismatic business & community leader, thought of having the commemoration on a different perspective.

That is, to productively present and promote, there was a great need to meet the challenge of creating a solid vehicle to showcase what is best about the Philippines and its people in a cornucopia of relevant events, shows, parade, beauty pageant, entertainment and other family- friendly activities, intertwining the past and the present.  Ergo, the Mabuhay Philippines Festival was born and manifested as the signature celebratory event of PIDC, and gaining the reputation as the "festival of festivals".

Over the years, PIDC had for its many celebrations, usually during the August month, offered several celebration themes: "Pinagmulan" ( 2013), " Kulay" ( 2015), "Pagdiriwang" ( 2016) and now, "Kinabukasan". Thus, in effect PIDC has scored a several "firsts"  in  community events, e.g.: "1) the first to organize a multi- day event to celebrate Philippine culture,2) the first to partner with Harbourfront Centre,3) the first to organize a three-day event at Toronto City Hall, 4) the first to form a street parade on its yearly celebration, 5) the first to hold a Filipino Festival at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre,6) the first to partner with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce Toronto,7) the first to organize a three-day multi -category amateur basketball tournament, and 8) the first to partner with Kalayaan Centre to hold a Gala .

Always in the forefront, the Mabuhay Philippines Festival in its  many successful events and programs has received funding grants from the provincial government and  has partnered in the past with community entities such as Harbourfront Centre, TD Canada Trust, Philippine Chamber of Commerce-Toronto,  Luminus Financial , TFC & ABS- CBN -North America, World Financial Group-WFG, and other generous sponsors.  Past and present Festival events, are held in popular Toronto venues like the CNE- Canadian National Exhibition,  Harbourfront Centre, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, David Pecaut Square, Nathan Phillips Square and  Earl Bales Park.

 The Mabuhay Philippines Festival , as a great supporter of performing arts, also brought into Toronto  leading Philippine artists and entertainers in the likes of singer Martin Nievera, movie-TV actors Piolo Pascual, Toni Gonzaga, Sam Milby, Arci Munoz and actor- comedienne Ai-Ai de las Alas and a host of celluloid celebrities . In the world of fashion, the Festival organizers has invited leading Filipino couturiers Renee Salud, Shanon Pamaong, Kenneth Barlis, and Bisaya to showcase their trendy designs.  Among the FilCan - based cultural groups & individuals who performed were the : Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe, Culture Philippines Ontario,  Folklori­co Filipino Canada , Philippine Heritage Band and other established and rising FilCan entertainers, singers, dancers, and music bands.

Sharing here are testimonials from six community leaders which professed in meaningful and hearty comments of how the Festival have made  an impact into the life of the Filipino Canadian community in Ontario. Camarines Norte Association president Suzy Llanera said : "Mabuhay Philippines Festival encompasses one's expectation in bringing people together in the Filipino-Canadian community and as well as in the mainstream. It successfully delivers its many events and activities at the highest level in showcasing and  bringing the "best of the best" of the Philippines in the Canadian landscape.

Not only I have felt a sense of inclusion and belonging, I have also gained many friends over the years and proud to call PIDC as my family". Businessman & community leader Ramon Estaris cited that the: "PIDC Mabuhay Philippines Festival does an impeccable job of capturing the essence of our people through its wonderful community displays of a culture of strength, beauty, family and love. This is what it truly means to be Filipino Canadian!". FilCan Teachers Association president Cielito Drapeza  opined : "A great community celebration of  Filipino culture in Canada  in a nutshell. This event embodies and showcases what our people hold dear and must be introduced to the young generation of Filipinos... in ways more than one, understand and appreciate their roots."

Action Honda general manager Rafael Nebres mentioned : "PIDC's activities since its inception were all reflective of the  desire of the organizers to perpetuate the promotion of the Philippine culture, heritage, arts and charity as well, its contribution into the life of the Filipino Canadian community in Canada.  All of these I subscribe, support and will always continue to do so as a proud Filipino. Let's us all,  Filipino Canadians, continue to do so! "Philippine Press Club-Ontario prexy Rose Tijam expressed: "As expatriate Filipinos, we always remember in our  hearts the home we left. I salute every community organization and individual who make possible the celebration of our culture, heritage and history, and help raise funds for our home country  and people in need." Federation of Filipino Canadians - Ontario president Monina Serrano quipped : "PIDC is one of many organizations that has enhanced the image of the Filipino community in Toronto. I salute the organizers, officers and members of the PIDC for their efforts in encouraging the young and the old to participate and be active in both social and sports. Keep up the good work PIDC! "



Organized in 2000 and formerly known as the Philippine Independence Day Committee, PIDC  had several presidents since becoming a Council, which include Norma Carpio , Jose "Pempe" Saavedra, Jr., the late Senator Tobias" Jun" Enverga, Jr., Luzviminda Neri( 2011-2014), Norma Carpio  and, currently, Karen Pascual- Binaday.  Norma Carpio, as PIDC immediate past president, is the Chairman Emerita of Mabuhay Philippines Festival with Agnes Miranda, WFG executive vice chair, as Co-chair.

 In a recent interview, Norma Carpio said that the "Mabuhay Festival is my legacy". Truly, it  was the brainchild of N. Carpio that "became a programming and planning template of many community organizations", wrote one FilCan newspaper editor adding: it is the "breeding ground for community leaders, beauty queens and entertainers". On one hand, PIDC as a quintessential, non- profit & volunteer-run organization continues to provide leadership & initiatives of  moving forward in the promotion and propagation of  Philippine culture, heritage, arts and charity in the hearts and minds of Filipino Canadians and mainstream Canadians in this country.. ( Tony A. San Juan)