If we intend to make our interest be recognized, all we need to do is make a noise about it! One may either write or talk about a certain issue. This is exactly what happened last weekend. In Vancouver, a Filipino parade entitled ‘Unang Hirit’ showcasing Filipino culture created a big noise. Some claimed it was the biggest and colorful parade organized by Filipinos. A street parade starting from Fras­er, Multicultural Helping House to St. Patrick Church ground at Main Street where trade exhibits, food stalls and entertainment shows were held. Many claimed it was successful! We hope the orga­nizers have a chance to evaluate the event turn out and how they can still improve by showcasing positive, significant and unique contributions of Filipinos to the Vancouver community.

I went walking one day, on a beach that was filled with people from all walks of life. Families with small children running and play­ing with each other. Sweethearts who had only eyes for each other. Solitary beings who where out to enjoy the Sun and be alone with oneself. Whatever reasons all of us congregate on the beach that day, one prevailing agreement was that all of us, were enjoying ourselves.

Last Saturday Aug 14 was a significant event for the Filipino community in Vancouver as the first ever Filipino Cultural Street parade was launched. The most obvious purpose of this event, of course, is to reaffirm our pres­ence as a united culture here in Vancouver, not that Canadians are not aware of this but perhaps to make them aware that we as a community can also make noise, louder, if not the same cacopho­nous noise as a Chinese Lion dance parade. But really, I thought this was more of a chance for the hundred or so local Filipino asso­ciations to do something worth-wile departing from the usual and already boring fund-raising dinner and dance, beauty pageants and singing idol wannabee competi­tions.

On, June 30, 2010, Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III was sworn in as the 15th president of the Republic of the Philip­pines. Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales and Jesuit Fr. Catalino Arevalo, a close friend of the Aquinos, who held the bible, swore in the only son of former Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino and former president Corazon Cojuangco Aquino. To most Fili­pinos, this day was very memo­rable because it symbolizes the beginning of a new hope for the country, the hope of a clean and honest government.

As a result of her loyalty, a Filipina maid in Singapore inherited more than four million US dollars from her late employer after more than 20 years of service. Chances of that happening here in Canada could be less than winning Lot­toMax.