Vancouver PCG ushers in Philippine Independence Day celebrations with Proudly Philippines 2024

03 June 2024 - In celebration of the 126^th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence and in observance of Filipino Heritage Month in Canada in June, the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver, in partnership with the Philippine Department of Tourism in San Francisco, hosted the 6^th iteration of the Proudly Philippines Food and Travel Fair on 01 June 2024 at the Robson Square Plaza in Downtown Vancouver.

(L-R) Ms. Katrin Erika A. Buted, Department Head of the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office of Batangas, Consul General Arlene T. Magno and Hon. Hedy Fry, Member of Parliament and Chair of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, cut the ribbon to officially open Proudly Philippines 2024.

In her opening remarks, Consul General Arlene Magno called on every member of the Filipino community to be proud of their heritage and promote everything Filipino.  She recalled that Proudly Philippines was born out of the need to create a Philippine experience that would start more Canadians talking about our food and eventually buying our products or visiting our country.  Consul General Magno added that this year’s edition of Proudly Philippines is special as it also coincides with the 75^th anniversary of Philippines-Canada diplomatic relations, a relationship that began in the 1860s with the arrival of the first Filipino on record in Bowen Island, British Columbia, and which has grown to a diaspora of around a million Filpinos in Canada today.

Consul General Magno highlighted the special participation of the Province of Batangas, represented by the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office and accompanied by Batangas businesses, Mira’s Food and Agriventure, Inc, Santa Emmanuelle Haute Couture and Limapark Hotel and Batangas Lakelands.

The Honorable Hedy Fry, Member of Parliament and Chair of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, said that the event was a fitting way to start Filipino Heritage month and acknowledged that the Filipino community’s vibrant culture enriched Canada’s.

Ms. Katrin Erika Buted, Department Head of the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO) of Batangas, thanked the Consulate for the opportunity to be the first Local Government Unit in the Philippines to be featured at Proudly Philippines.

Visitors crowded the ice rink where Fil-Can food and travel vendors were located.

Members of the Himig Kabataan Cultural Society pose for posterity at the free photo booth by William Orsua of Soul Mate Productions

Ms. Stephanie Marie Emilia Hermoso of the PDOT-San Francisco office promotes Philippine tourism under the new tourism campaign, LOVE The Philippines

Jollibee’s red bee mascot showed up at Proudly Philippines to help attract and entertain the crowd through his dance steps and games. 

Filipino food trucks of Potato Corner and Shameless Buns join Proudly Philippines

Around 40 Filipino-Canadian food, non-food, service and travel businesses joined Proudly Philippines this year, selling Filipino dishes, groceries, crafts, wearables, and art.  The Philippine Department of Tourism Office in San Francisco, the Consulate’s event partner, led the vendors from the travel industry.

The event was made more special and exciting through a cultural program which showcased the talents of local Filipino-Canadian singers, dancers, musicians, and performers, ably emceed by Mr. Eliseo Yanga III, Change Advisor at the BC Liquor Distribution Branch.

Mr. Eliseo Yanga III, Change Advisor at the BC Liquor Distribution Branch, hosted this year’s entertainment program

The United Masskara dancers performed at the opening program of Proudly Philippines

The Himig Kabataan Cultural Society sang the national anthems the Philippines and Canada

Mr. Shawn Kyler Carbonell, aka Masta Ky, entertains the audience with his compositions

Ms. Buena Chua and Ms. Charen Cui of the UP Alumni Association in BC  show off their musical talents

Mr. Aldo Enriquez, Canadian-American jazz  singer and entertainer, serenades the audience, accompanied by the Rosario Strings

The Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Angklung Ensemble put up an amazing musical performance

The Fresh Groove Productions’ Dancers impress the audience with their funky dance moves

Red Fillo, the winners of last year’s Proudly Philippines Tinikling Challenge 2.0 show of  their winning performance, Tinikling, danced to the tune of hip-hop music