23 September 2023, Surrey, BC. – On its second year, the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver joined the Filipino Festival at the Museum of Surrey (MoS) on 23 September 2023, in commemoration of the Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo) 2023.
The event showcased the artwork of Filipino-Canadian artist Paulina Constancia entitled, “Iisang Bangka”, featuring sea creatures – sea crab (alimasag), whale shark (butanding), sea turtle (pawikan), seahorse (kabayong-dagat), kingfisher (kasay-kasay), human and mudslipper (tustusak) in a Bangka. Artist Paulina also conducted an interactive art workshop on sea creatures for kids and parents during the festival. She also has an ongoing “Taga Isla” art exhibit at the Philippine Consulate to celebrate the beauty and diversity of the Philippine seas through art.
The Consulate booth featured tourism materials highlighting Manila, Iloilo, Cebu, and Bohol to promote Winter Escapade 8 as well as pamphlets and brochures on the Philippines’ best destination sites – Palawan, Boracay, and Siargao. The Consulate team also gave away two (2) copies of the book entitled, “Dive Philippines”, by Tim Rock to raise archipelagic awareness and consciousness among Filipino-Canadian communities.
The Filipino Fest likewise featured Filipino songs and dances, vendors selling Filipino crafts and snacks, and a storytelling session, in both English and Tagalog, conducted by Surrey Library personnel. END
