Philippine Independence Day Council of Ontario

A BACK TO BACK SUCCESSFUL EVENTS FOR PIDC

By Susan Llanera
Toronto-Canada
June 22, 2016



Indeed, the Philippine Independence Day Council (PIDC), organized its second event this year, the Annual "Salu-Salo sa Earl Bales" Community pot-luck picnic on Saturday, June 11th, 2016. The community event was held to commemorate the 118th Philippine Independence Day, chaired by Nene Ticzon & Verth Bugtong, co-chair.

The day started off with PIDC President, Norma Carpio joined by the Officers and Council of Leaders, led by the Knights of Rizal, Kababaihang Rizalistas & Prexy Rose Cruz in the wreath laying ceremony before the bust of Dr. Jose P. Rizal. It was supported by Regional Commander Sir Ed Prillo together with Rizal Canada Sir Joe Damasco, Sir Marjo Alpuerto, and Sir Jojo Taduran, garbed in their complete uniform. As well, the presence of Police Constables, Don Laurel and Sam Park contributed in keeping to ensure a safe environment for everyone.


The program was emceed by Verth Bugtong and Mrs. Philippines Emma Andrada, assisted by Aurora Ticzon Elefano. With music provided by DJ Ron Carpio, Verth Bugtong and Karen Pascual-Binaday, as Program Coordinators, the non-stop entertainment began at noon until closing, with notable performances from Gian Carlo Bobilla, Cheryl Malanum, Angelica Basil, Gizelle Villegas, Clemence Villar, Miss Caregivers candidates, Norma Crisostomo, Natalia Versoza-Hilse, Samantha Gavin, Charms, Ashley Suva, Uppercase Band, Southeast Cartel and the line-dancing of Step by Step, joined by dance enthusiasts, highlighted the overall excitement at the park.


The event also hosted the annual PIDC Mabuhay Cup Volleyball Tournament with 14 Teams competing (Teams of 7 men and 7 women), led by Vilma Tahsin, Roger Tarca, and the PIDC Mabuhay Cup Volleyball Tournament Committee continuously manned the game for the entire duration of the day which started at 9:00am. At 3:00pm, emceed by Sir Chito Collantes, different Associations including the Beauties of PIDC participated in the usual Parade around the park grounds led by Nene Ticzon, Verth Bugtong and Rose Cruz.

Community Leaders and notable guests arrived, such as MP Rob Oliphant, MP Michael Levitt, MP Marco Mendicino, MP Salma Zahid, each delivered their greetings and messages, made their rounds to greet revelers and stopped by at the different booths and exhibitors on the grounds, namely, Kapitbahay Restaurant, Dini Ice Cream, Smoothie Groove, Quezon Apparel, TFC's ABS/CBN, Empire One Credit Solutions, LBC, SunLife Insurance (Maricar Soriano & Raquel Gallardo), PNB Remittance, Paycase, Patrick Ocampo Company, Clare Shulte-Albert (PC) and Kangen Water, provided free water all day.


The Philippine Independence Day "Flag Raising Ceremony", the 3rd event of many PIDC events, was held at 11:00am on Tuesday, June 14th at Queens Park, Ontario Legislative grounds. It was hosted by the Government of Ontario in cooperation with the Philippine Consulate Toronto, Philippine Independence Day Council (PIDC) and the Filipino community. Chaired by Executive Vice-President, Karen Pascual-Binaday, the event was ably hosted by Rafael “Raffy” Fabregas. A short parade to the assembly area, led by Verth Bugtong, initiated the program with Jenifer Camacho singing the Canadian and Philippine Anthems. Welcomed by PIDC President, Norma Carpio, Minister of Education, Hon. Mitzie Hunter, delivered a message from the Premier of Ontario, Honourable Kathleen Wynne. Other dignitaries in attendance were Deputy Speaker of the House, MPP Soo Wong, MPP Han Dong, MPP Laurie Scott, and special guests, Honourable Rosalita Prospero, Consul General of the Philippine Consulate in Toronto and Monina Lim-Serrano, delivered inspirational messages. The Philippine flag was raised on the Ontario Legislative grounds on Queens Park marking the declaration of  the "118th Philippine Independence Day".

After the ceremony, reception and entertainment continued inside the Legislative Building. Rendition of Filipino songs, fittingly sang for the occasion, and popular ballads were performed by Cheryl Malanum, Ashley Suva, Gian Carlo Bobilla and Ivy Joy Maniquez, respectively. Guests were served with sumptuous lunch and "buko pandan" for dessert, catered by FV Foods.

Headed by its PIDC President, Norma Carpio, the Philippine Independence Day Celebrations, "Salu-Salo sa Earl Bales Community Picnic" and "Flag Raising Ceremony on Queens Park" were successful due to the collaboration & collective efforts organized by the hardworking and dedicated PIDC Directors and Council of Leaders, Karen Pascual-Binaday, Gene Elamparo, Aurora Ticzon Elefano, Aris Elefano, Lorenzo & Aida Villaruz, Roy & Connie Start, Annabelle Migalbin, Nanding Ticzon, Nene Ticzon, Paulina & Ben Corpuz, Conrad Corpuz, Vilma Tahsin, Roger Tarca, Tom Tan, Minda Neri, Rose Calvo, Chyrell Samson, Rose Cruz, Pedro Carpio, Al Tupe, Helen Pico Lao, Imee Belanger and Suzy Llanera.

Gratefully acknowledging all the Food Donors, solicited by Roy Start and Jun Villaruz and the Sponsors: Remelys, Sampaguita, Alminz Kakanin, Kapit Bahay Restaurant, Sir Chito Collantes, Congee Queen (Scarborough), Jakylynne’s Catering, Barrio Fiesta Restaurant, Lola Restaurant, Nene & Nanding Ticzon and Family, for without you, the success of these important events would not have been possible. Credits and many thanks to the PIDC media partners, Romy Marquez, Mila & Hermie Garcia, photographers Larry Torres, Bong Molano, Ramil Banaag, Noel Pineda, Ariel Ramos, Aurora Ticzon Elefano, as well as, to the performers, and to the PIDC Mabuhay Cup Volleyball Tournament Committee and its volunteers.

The next PIDC events are the PIDC Miss Philippines 2016 and PIDC Little Miss Philippines Pageant, to be held on July 9th at the Isabel Bader Theatre, 93 Charles Street, Toronto. Pageant Contacts: Aurora Ticzon Elefano 416-357-4174  email: [email protected] & Gene Elamparo 416-318-1986 / .

PIDC Mabuhay Cup Basketball Tournament – July 22-24, 2016 at the Hoopdome, 75 Carl Hall Rd. Contact: Vilma Tahsin at 416-697-7201 / [email protected]  For further info, please visit: www.pidctoronto.com & (sl)