Burnaby – The City of Burnaby made history at the last June 5th Council meeting when it
proclaimed June as Filipino Heritage Month. Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley issued the
proclamation and presented a copy of it to a strong delegation of Filipino community leaders that
represent a broad cross–section of the Filipino community.
The Proclamation cites the 125th Anniversary of Philippine Independence on June 12th and the
“tireless efforts, service and contributions of the Filipino community to many facets of
Burnaby’s social, economic and cultural life” as among the reasons for the Proclamation that was
read by Burnaby Councillor Maita Santiago, who is the first Filipino Councillor in Metro
Vancouver.
“It’s important that as a city we take steps to acknowledge, recognize and celebrate the many
cultural communities, like the Filipino community, that contributes so much into making
Burnaby a fantastic place to live, work, play and study in,” said Santiago who also noted there is
a Filipino heritage exhibit at Burnaby City Hall until June 30th.
After the Proclamation, the Filipino delegation headed to Burnaby Civic Square in Metrotown to
launch their plans for the “Pinoy Festival: Panahon na para Magsaya” to be held on June 24 from
10am to 7pm.
The Pinoy Festival is organized by the Burnaby Filipino Cultural Society, the Pinoy Festival
Alliance and the Mabuhay House Society in cooperation with many Filipino community
organizations.
“Along with our culture, our festival will also highlight our many Filipino organizations who
work hard to build community and connections amongst each other and with all British
Columbians. They represent groups based on their provinces or regions in the Philippines,
alumni organizations, sports leagues, cooperatives, seniors, youth, students, religious formations
and advocacy–oriented organizations. For one day – a snapshot of our community will be
represented at the Pinoy Festival and we invite everyone to come and join us!” said Ianne Penala,
President of the Burnaby Filipino Cultural Society.
proclaimed June as Filipino Heritage Month. Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley issued the
proclamation and presented a copy of it to a strong delegation of Filipino community leaders that
represent a broad cross–section of the Filipino community.
The Proclamation cites the 125th Anniversary of Philippine Independence on June 12th and the
“tireless efforts, service and contributions of the Filipino community to many facets of
Burnaby’s social, economic and cultural life” as among the reasons for the Proclamation that was
read by Burnaby Councillor Maita Santiago, who is the first Filipino Councillor in Metro
Vancouver.
“It’s important that as a city we take steps to acknowledge, recognize and celebrate the many
cultural communities, like the Filipino community, that contributes so much into making
Burnaby a fantastic place to live, work, play and study in,” said Santiago who also noted there is
a Filipino heritage exhibit at Burnaby City Hall until June 30th.
After the Proclamation, the Filipino delegation headed to Burnaby Civic Square in Metrotown to
launch their plans for the “Pinoy Festival: Panahon na para Magsaya” to be held on June 24 from
10am to 7pm.
The Pinoy Festival is organized by the Burnaby Filipino Cultural Society, the Pinoy Festival
Alliance and the Mabuhay House Society in cooperation with many Filipino community
organizations.
“Along with our culture, our festival will also highlight our many Filipino organizations who
work hard to build community and connections amongst each other and with all British
Columbians. They represent groups based on their provinces or regions in the Philippines,
alumni organizations, sports leagues, cooperatives, seniors, youth, students, religious formations
and advocacy–oriented organizations. For one day – a snapshot of our community will be
represented at the Pinoy Festival and we invite everyone to come and join us!” said Ianne Penala,
President of the Burnaby Filipino Cultural Society.
“It will be a day–long family friendly event featuring Filipino food and food trucks, a community
market with small businesses and vendors, Filipino cultural performances and dances, and live
Filipino bands. Festivities will start with a Community and Street Dance Parade at 10am,” he
added.
Among the dance groups is the Red Filos, composed of four Filipino youth, who perform a hip–
hop twist to the traditional Filipino tinikling dance. They are the recent champions of a Tinkiling
2.0 Dance Challenge by the Philippine Consulate in Vancouver.
“We’re proud to be one of the organizers of this great event. It will be a showcase of Filipino
culture and pride. And it’s an opportunity for our community to come together and strengthen our
efforts to achieve our long–standing dream of a Filipino cultural centre. Through the Pinoy
Festival, we are building our unity. We are building our home,” said Sammie Jo Rumbaua,
Mabuhay House Society Co–Chair. The Mabuhay House Society is a non–profit committed to
creating an inter–generational Filipino cultural centre in the Lower Mainland.
Confirmed dignitaries include Philippine Consul General Arlene T. Magno, Burnaby Mayor
Mike Hurley and councillors, MLAs Anne Kang and Janet Routledge and also invited are MPs
Jagmeet Singh and Terry Beech.
The participating organizations are: the United Filipino Canadian Associations in BC, Intercity
Basketball League, Benguet Society of BC, Cebuano Society of BC–Canada, Circulo
Pampangueno, SocCSKSarGen Community BC, Sinaitenians of BC, Grupo Ilocano Association
of BC, Adamson Alumni Association–Vancouver, Zambales Association BC, Masskara Society
of BC, One Filipino Cooperative of BC, FilCooperative One Housing Society, Tau Gamma Phi /
Sigma BC Regional Council, Alpha Phi Omega Alumni Association of BC, New Westminster
Philippine Festival Society, UP Alumni Association of BC, Diversity and Inclusion Support
Group of BC, National Pilipino Canadian Cultural Centre NPC3, Filipino Students Association
SFU–FSA, Sliced Mango Collective, Tulayan, Philippine Nurses Association of BC, BIBAK–
BC, Aklanon Sto. Nino Association, INARTE Society, Golden Gift from the Heart, Filipino
Canadian Cultural Heritage Society BC, PhilCAS of BC, Pinoy Pride Vancouver, Seniors
Brigade Society of BC and Knights of Columbus of BC & Yukon.
Major sponsors are the Burnaby Firefighters and BCGEU, Minor Sponsors are University
Canada West, Vicki Buechler and Gina Bactol and Media Partners are ReyFort Media, TFC and Omni Television
Filipino bands. Festivities will start with a Community and Street Dance Parade at 10am,” he
added.
Among the dance groups is the Red Filos, composed of four Filipino youth, who perform a hip–
hop twist to the traditional Filipino tinikling dance. They are the recent champions of a Tinkiling
2.0 Dance Challenge by the Philippine Consulate in Vancouver.
“We’re proud to be one of the organizers of this great event. It will be a showcase of Filipino
culture and pride. And it’s an opportunity for our community to come together and strengthen our
efforts to achieve our long–standing dream of a Filipino cultural centre. Through the Pinoy
Festival, we are building our unity. We are building our home,” said Sammie Jo Rumbaua,
Mabuhay House Society Co–Chair. The Mabuhay House Society is a non–profit committed to
creating an inter–generational Filipino cultural centre in the Lower Mainland.
Confirmed dignitaries include Philippine Consul General Arlene T. Magno, Burnaby Mayor
Mike Hurley and councillors, MLAs Anne Kang and Janet Routledge and also invited are MPs
Jagmeet Singh and Terry Beech.
The participating organizations are: the United Filipino Canadian Associations in BC, Intercity
Basketball League, Benguet Society of BC, Cebuano Society of BC–Canada, Circulo
Pampangueno, SocCSKSarGen Community BC, Sinaitenians of BC, Grupo Ilocano Association
of BC, Adamson Alumni Association–Vancouver, Zambales Association BC, Masskara Society
of BC, One Filipino Cooperative of BC, FilCooperative One Housing Society, Tau Gamma Phi /
Sigma BC Regional Council, Alpha Phi Omega Alumni Association of BC, New Westminster
Philippine Festival Society, UP Alumni Association of BC, Diversity and Inclusion Support
Group of BC, National Pilipino Canadian Cultural Centre NPC3, Filipino Students Association
SFU–FSA, Sliced Mango Collective, Tulayan, Philippine Nurses Association of BC, BIBAK–
BC, Aklanon Sto. Nino Association, INARTE Society, Golden Gift from the Heart, Filipino
Canadian Cultural Heritage Society BC, PhilCAS of BC, Pinoy Pride Vancouver, Seniors
Brigade Society of BC and Knights of Columbus of BC & Yukon.
Major sponsors are the Burnaby Firefighters and BCGEU, Minor Sponsors are University
Canada West, Vicki Buechler and Gina Bactol and Media Partners are ReyFort Media, TFC and Omni Television
