PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL HOLDS PROUDLY PHILIPPINES FOOD AND TRAVEL FAIR AS PART OF POST’S PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY COMMEMORATION ACTIVITIES

Consul General Maria Andrelita Austria (left) delivers her welcome remarks, while Ms. Soleil Tropicales (right), Tourism Attaché / Director, Philippine Department of Tourism-San Francisco, the closing remarks, at the opening program.

Consul General Austria, along with local government officials, ( L-R) MLA Brenda Bailey, MLA Mable Elmore, MP Jenny Kwan and MP Don Davis,  cut the ribbon to formally open the Proudly Philippines market.

Visitors flock to the Robson Square Ice Rink to enjoy their favorite Filipino food and inquire about Philippine tour packages.  A total of 42 vendors participated in this year’s fair, 22 food and 14 non-food businesses.

Non-food vendors located at the South Plaza of the Robson Square offer items, from candles and traditional weaves to artworks of Filipino artists.

Proudly Philippines featured 3 food trucks, Shameless Buns, Potato Corner and Max’s Restaurant Vancouver, which experienced  their share of long lines of food truck patrons.

Visitors wait for their turn at the photo booth by Emsager Photography for their Proudly Philippines memories.  

LEFT PHOTO – The United Masskara Association heralded the start of the opening program of Proudly Philippines; RIGHT PHOTO - Ms. Stella Banez and Ms. Kaye Banez sing the national anthems of Canada and the Philippines.

Cultural performers provide entertainment throughout the day at the North Plaza of Robson Square.  Clockwise from Top Left:  The Kababayang Filipino Group, Ms. Kelsea Hopkins, Ms. Salve Dayao and band,  Guro Jesse Inocalla and Mr. Ariel De Guzman and group, and the Fresh Groove Dance Company.