PIDC Releases Its 2017 Mid-Year Calendar of Events, (GTA-Ontario)

By Tony A. San Juan, OCT.
Toronto-Canada
May 27, 2017



The spring - into- summer chime is now upon us. Yes. Once again, it's fiesta & fashion times, beauties & ball- playing competitions and parades & picnics in the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario. Traditionally and fittingly, the Philippine Independence Day Council - PIDC, Canada's 20- year old quintessential Filipino Canadian community-based and volunteer- run organization recently released its heritage  and culture -focused schedule of events and activities from May 28 to August 27, 2017. Among the line-up of 9 wonderful and worthwhile activities are the following:

Mabuhay Cup Golf Tournament. 
Sunday, May 28, 2017. Granite Ridge Golf Club, 9503 Dublin Line, Milton. Price: $150 includes lunch, golf and car
$45 lunch only. Registration starts at 7:00 am. Tee off is at 7:30 am. Contests: Longest drive (Male and Female), Closest to the pin (Male and Female) Low gross foursome and most honest foursome. Contact: .

Little Miss Philippine PIDC. 
Saturday June 3, 2017.  Time: 2:00 pm. Isabel Bader Theatre, 93 Charles Street West. Ticket price: $15

Miss Philippines PIDC. 
Saturday, June 3, 2017. Time:7:00 pm. Isabel Bader Theatre, 93 Charles Street West .Ticket price: $15
contact for both pageants is:.

Salu-Salo sa Earl Bales Community Potluck Picnic.
 Saturday, June 10, 2017. Time:12 noon.Earl Bales Park, 4169 Bathurst Street.Various groups and organizations are invited to this potluck event. Contact:.

Mabuhay Cup Volleyball Tournament  …
will also be held simultaneously on Saturday, June 10, 2017. and will start at 9:00 am. Register online at Eventbrite : THE ANNUAL MABUHAY CUP VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT 2017.

Philippine Independence Day Flag - Raising Event. 
Monday, June 12, 2017. Queen's Park, 111 Wellesley Street West. Assembly time: 10:30 am
Parade and ceremony starts at 11:00 am. Reception is scheduled inside the Legislative Building immediately after the flag raising ceremony. People must confirm their attendance by emailing with their full name as shown on their government issued ID which they must bring in order to get access to the building.  
Contact: .

Mabuhay Cup Invitational Basketball Tournament. 
July 21, 22 and 23, 2017. Hoopdome, 75 Carl Hall Road, #17. . Tournament starts Friday, July 21, 4 pm. Opening ceremonies on Saturday, July 22, 11 am. Contact:.
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Mabuhay Philippines Festival Gala and Fashion Show. 
Thursday, August 24, 2017. Time: 7:00 pm. Arcadian Court, 401 Bay Street, 8th Floor. The fashion show is being held in cooperation with the Philippine Department of Tourism featuring "Mindanao Tapestry".  The event is a grand fashion show tour featuring global fashions made from the indigenous weaves of Mindanao.  It is a celebration of the rich culture of Mindanao and the best in new-ethnic fashions by the Philippine Ambassador of Fashion, the world renowned Renee Salud.  The show has made its way through London, Berlin, Dubai and was featured during the Miss Universe run in the Philippines last January.  The show is being held as part of the Canada 150 celebration.  Up to 8 professional models from the Philippines as well as 2 (two) Philippine dance troupes will be featured in the show. VIP Tickets are $120 and includes the show and meal.  Fashion show SRO tickets are available for $40.

Mabuhay Philippines Festival and Parade 2017.
 August 26 and 27, 2017.  12 noon.  Nathan Philipps Square, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West. The annual festival is free to the public and features all-day entertainment beginning at noon.  Performers for Saturday include: JDL School of Performing Arts, the Markham Federation of Filipino Canadians, Kindred Culture, The Muso Project, The Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe and more.  Saturday night will also have a fashion show with designs by Renee Salud and Shannon Pamaong.
On Sunday, August 27th, the annual community parade will walk through the streets of downtown Toronto with the participation of various organizations and associations throughout Canada.  The parade will also showcase participants wearing various costumes that highlight the many regions of the Philippines.  On-stage performances on this day include:  The Dreamboats, After Hours, EZ Rock, Combat Science, Culture Philippines of Ontario and more.  For information on booths, sponsorship or to register your participation, email .

Committedly and engagingly  led by Norma Carpio, as president, PIDC is an umbrella organization of more than 15  Filipino Canadian community associations in Ontario. The events are major parts also of the annual celebration of the 119th Araw ng Kalayaan anniversary of the Philippines in Toronto, Canada. 

Community, provincial, professional, alumni, social and sports organizations in Ontario and their officers, members, colleagues , families and friends are cordially invited to attend and participate at any one or all of the many interesting and challenging  activities, accordingly. For further information, parties are requested to check : www.pidctoronto.com.( Tony A. San Juan)