Updated: June 13, 2021, 9:35 P.M.
Victoria,B.C.
June is Filipino Heritage Month in Canada
The annual event by the Victoria Filipino-Canadian Association (VFCA) takes place in Centennial Square. Due to the pandemic, the festivities will be online this year.
Mildred German
Unceded Territories – As the Philippines celebrates the 123rd proclamation of Philippine Independence from Spanish colonization, Filipinos in Canada are celebrating as well. June is the Filipino Heritage Month in Canada.
The Filipino Heritage Month -correlates with the June 12 Philippine Independence celebrations, it is also a month-long celebration which highlights the lives, culture, and stories of Filipinos in Canada.
June 12-17th – MABUHAY FILIPINO ARTS AND CULTURAL FESTIVAL
The Victoria Filipino-Canadian Association (VFCA) holds its virtual celebration of Filipino Heritage Month, the annual Mabuhay Filipino Arts and Cultural Festival.
This annual event normally takes place in Centennial Square. Since last year, due to the pandemic, the festivities will be again online.
With Filipino dances, songs, take-out Filipino food, performances, visual arts, and more, the Filipino Heritage Month is indeed a significant event with much preparation, celebration, and grace.
Event info and video links will be available starting June 12, 2021, via the website www.thevfca.com.
Performers include the VFCA Sampaguita Dance Group, VFCA Line Dancers, Unity Dancers, The Vancouver Island Cordillera Association, Latin Fiesta, Dance in Flow, Island Hula Dancers, Veselka Dance, Dennis Guppa, Rose Cortez, Rayver Agapito, Emily Empig, Kurt Agno and Geralyn Nonesa (Ilaw Newsletter, June 2021)
THE VFCA – THE VICTORIA FILIPINO-CANADIAN ASSOCIATION
Established on February 10, 1969, the non-profit organization VFCA has been a pioneer in serving the Filipino community in Victoria, BC, Canada. It is located in the unceded Coast Salish Territory of the Lekwungen and WSANEC nations, and is affiliated with other Filipino organizations such as the Victoria Filipino-Canadian Caregivers Association (est. 1987), the Victoria Filipino-Canadian Seniors Association (est. 1988), and the Bayanihan Community Centre (est. 2001).
VFCA’s new website www.thevfca.com and newsletter ‘Ilaw’ were recently relaunched in April 2021. (“Ilaw” in the Philipppine national language, Tagalog, means “light.”)
Related Stories:
Sa Victoria : ‘Ilaw’ Relaunched https://philippinecanadiannews.com/canada/sa-victoria-ilaw-relaunched/
Victoria’s Filipino-Canadian community demands justice for stranded Filipino seafarers in Fiji
https://philippinecanadiannews.com/canada/victorias-filipino-canadian-com munity-demands-justice-for-stranded-filipino-seafarers-in-fiji/