The Abbotsford Filipino-Canadian Society or TAFCS celebrated Filipino Heritage Month in a big way at Rotary Stadium on June 8. The first-ever Pinoy Heritage Festival took over the stadium all day long for a number of cultural celebrations.
The event kicked off with a Holy Mass celebrated by Fr. Mark Bautista accompanied by the Filipino Canadian Mass choir. In his greetings, Fr. Bautista encouraged the crowd to continue to remember the heroes of the Philippines who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the country. The Mass was followed by a parade and speeches given by Deputy Consul Leotito Ausan Jr and Conservative MP Ed Fast, as well as Deputy Mayor Brenda Falk and MP Mabel Elmore. MP Fast congratulated the organizers and stressed the importance of the relationship between Canadians of Filipino heritage and their adopted country as he acknowledges the contributions of the Fil-Canadians. Also part of the program was the coronation of the Queen of Heritage Festival. Traditional Filipino games and live entertainment from Filipino bands and artists.
TAFCS President Sherrylyn Vivero was very happy at the outcome of their first Independence Day celebrations. She hopes that the celebrations continue and encourage more Filipino-Canadians in Abbotsford to join the organization and the events that they put together.
The Board of Directors of TAFCS are Amalia Kapuno, chairman, Lina Cole Marcelina Santiago, Gerry Sylvestre, Angielyn Bentley and Belgie Balatbat. The TAFCS officers are comprised of President Sherrylyn Vivero, Vice President Marilou Miranda, Secretary Secretary Liezel Ebora and Treasurer-Joyce Quinto.
The event was supported by Pan Media Productions, Gerry Sylvestre Flooring, WFG, Primerica, UMAC, Remit Now, East Coast Auto, Pan-Asia Market and Deli, Vinh Tan, Universal Vision Optical, Long and McQuade, BC Nurses Union, Ryan Dyck Photography, What’s On, Saladmaster, Sun Life Financial, Lyn Otis, Rajinder Dhutti, Modesto Kapuno, Rainbow, IDream Canada – International student and Trazona Driving.
