The sights, sounds, flavours were highlights of the event
By Charmaine Y. Rodriguez
The first Filipino festival held in the City of Burnaby drew 12,000 participants who enjoyed the food, dances, music, art and culture of the Philippines.
The “Pinoy Festival: Panahon na para Magsaya (Come Join the Fun)” was part of June Filipino Heritage Month celebrations and showcased Filipino food and food trucks, traditional dances, cultural performances, small business vendors and artisans, live Filipino bands and more at the the Burnaby Civic Centre.
BC Premier David Eby Mabuhay attended the event and gamely donned an Igorot vest and danced the traditional Sisiwit Dance of the Igorot Tribe.
The 6’7” tall Eby was enjoying the dance and the festival events.
In an interview during the event last June 24, Eby reiterated his full support for the Filipino Cultural Centre.
“We will work with Mabuhay Society on that. We’re really excited to have a cultural center for the Filipino community. I’m excited about the project,” Eby told ABS CBN News.
Aside from Eby, Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley also attended the event and celebrated with Filipino-Canadians who were at the venue.
“We’re so proud of the Filipino community in Burnaby. It adds to everything we do in bringing our community together,” Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley told ABS CBN News.
He wants the Pinoy Festival to be held every year
According to Burnaby Councilor Maita Santiago, a Filipino-Canadian, the event was a result of hard work, dedication and was truly “people-power driven.”
Around 60 organizations and businesses joined the event which was organized by the Burnaby Filipino Cultural Society, The Pinoy Festival Alliance and the Mabuhay House Society