A pioneering event is in the works in the Filipino Canadian community, one that draws inspiration from spring. Spring is a time of renewal, a reawakening, the birth of new life. Just as spring for many symbolizes new projects and new ideas, Vancouver Pinoy Spring Fest will herald a year full of festivals. Vancouver Pinoy Spring Fest is the festival to start all festivals in 2014. The Vancouver Pinoy Spring Fest is a collaboration among the ReyFort Media Group, TV5 International, and Phinma Properties.
The festival will be held at the Pacific National Exhibition at The Forum (2901 East Hastings Street) on May 3, 2014. The event will host the first ever Canada-wide grand finals of the Pinoy New Talent Idol contest, popularly known as PNT Idol. It is a project of the ReyFort Media Group, the multimedia company behind the Philippine Asian News Today and Philippine Showbiz Today papers, and TV programs EveRIAthing and Balitang Vancouver. In addition to homegrown B.C. finalists, PNT Idol grand contestants will come from the Yukon, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto, and Winnipeg.
Several community associations have confirmed their participation in Vancouver Pinoy Spring Fest, bringing with them unique Philippine festival formats like the Ati-Atihan, Sinulog, and Dinagyang. Also featured in the festival are productions from cultural master Tonette Gatus, and the multi- awarded Praise Team. Seniors in the community will have a special role in the festival. They will be showcasing their talents in different musical and dance presentations. Sports will likewise be included, with at least 40 basketball teams of youth players competing for prizes.
Some of the popular and respected figures from the Philippine showbiz scene will be arriving in Canadian shores to provide entertainment for Filipinos in Vancouver. These personalities are connected with TV5, the fastest-growing broadcast company in the Philippines. TV5 international channels have been introduced late last year in Canada through different service providers such as Shaw, Rogers, Bell, NextTV, TurboTV and Juan TV.
Kapatid TV5 is a 24-hour general entertainment Tagalog language channel that provides different programs including drama, fantasy, comedy, variety, game, gag shows, reality, and news and current affairs. Sharon Cuneta, Derek Ramsay, Aga Muhlach, Ogie Alcasid and many more headline the shows.
AksyonTV International is a 24- hour Tagalog language channel dedicated in bringing the latest in News and Philippine Sports. Aksyon TV International is home of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and other news programs such as Aksyon, T3 by the Tulfo brothers and many more.
The festival’s success also rests with the support of Phinma Properties, a medium- and high-rise housing developer for the affordable market in and around Metro Manikla.
Phinma, which is led by its president and CEO Willie Uy, will provide the one AREZZO Places condo in Pasig City worth P1.5 million to the first winner of the Canada-wide PNT Idol Open Category contest.
As a complete festival experience, Vancouver Pinoy Spring Fest includes a food fair, bazaar, and trade shows. For inquiries: 604-588-6397; 604-537-1654; 778- 995-1435.
