Flag Raising in Vaughan to celebrate 118^th anniversary of Philippine Independence.

L-R:    E. Insigne, Councillor Iafrate, Regl Councillor Ferri, Miss Manila 2016 Icess Rawlings, Councillor Racco, MPP Martow, Dufferin McNabney  Little Prince 2016, Nasia Castillo Little Princess 2016, Zoey Molina 1^st Little Princess, D. Montoya, Councillor Shefman, Consul General Prospero, Romel Queddeng, Vittorio Cristini 1^st Little Prince, Jordan McNabney, MP  D. Schulte, MP P. Kent, MP F. Sorbara (partly hidden) C. Banez, L. DeBlois, R. Tolentino.

Filipino Day in Vaughan to celebrate 118^th Philippine Independence Day

The 118^th Anniversary of Philippine Independence Day was commemorated on Saturday, June 11, 2016. Approved by the City of Vaughan Mayor and Members of Council, it was dubbed as Filipino Day in Vaughan. The City of Vaughan is a twin city of Baguio City, Philippines. The Philippine flag was officially raised at 10:00 a.m. in front of Vaughan City Hall. Attending the Flag Raising were Consul General Rosita Prospero, Deputy Mayor Michael Di Biase, Regional Councillors Mario Ferri & Gino Rosati, Councillors Marilyn Iafrate, Alan Shefman, & Sandra Racco.  The Flag Raising was also attended by Hon. Peter Kent, P.C., Member of Parliament, Thornhill; Deborah Schulte, MP for King-Vaughan, Francisco Sorbara, MP for Vaughan-Woodbridge, Gila Martow, Member of Provincial Parliament, Thornhill; Miriam Ku, outreach advisor to Patrick Brown, Ontario P.C.

MPP Gila Martow presented a certificate of congratulations on behalf of Patrick Brown, Leader, Ontario Progressive Conservative Party on the occasion of the 118^th Anniversary of Philippine Independence to the Filipino Planning Committee namely:  Erlinda Insigne, pres, Filipino Canadian Association of Vaughan (FCAV);  Carol Banez, pres, Philippine Heritage Band (PHB) ;  Aurelia deLara, secretary, PHB; Lurvie DeBlois, director, FCAV;  Rey Tolentino, Greenhills Christian Fellowship;  Dave Montoya, Maple Baptist Church and Marilyn Baguilod, Solid Rock Indigenous. Rey Tolentino, director FCAV and Chairman, Filipino Centre Toronto was the Emcee. There were speeches by dignitaries followed by entertainment and lunch featuring Filipino food. Philippine Heritage Band sang the national anthems and rendered Stand Up Performance; Patriotic Song, Ang Bayan Ko was sang by soprano Yolanda Neo accompanied by Leonina Magtibay;  FCAV Little Princes / Princesses performed Planting Rice dance cheorographed by Jordan Mcnabney; Violin Ensemble was rendered by the St. Paschal String led teacher Leonina Magtibay;  Maple Baptist Church  rendered a song “Oras Na” sang by Gennie Manuel accompanied by Jun and Solid Rock Indigenous performed  cultural dance.

The celebration was graced by Miss Manila 2016, Icess Rawlings; Queeny Bombase, 2^nd runner up and the FCAV Little Princes / Princesses: Nasia Mayricle Castillo, Little Princess 2016; Dufferin DeBlois McNabney,  Little Prince 2016; Zoey Gabrielle Molina, 1^st Little Princess; Vittorio Cristini, 1^st Little Prince;  Ruth Ann Bayanos, 2^rd Little Princess;  Jasmine Tomines, 3^rd Little Princess,

The Filipino Day was attended by community groups and leaders in the community; Tess Cusipag, Chair Miss Manila Pageant and publisher “Balita” newspaper; Loo, publisher of  Filipiniana newspaper;  Filipino Seniors headed by Roy Sumabat;  Professor Frank Miele of York University;  Lito Dizon, choreographer and designer, Filipina Fiesta Dance Troupe,  and residents of the City of Vaughan.

The Filipino Day in Vaughan was made possible by the coordinated efforts of Erlinda Insigne (FCAV), Carol Banez (PHB), Auring deLara (PHB), Lurvie DeBlois (FCAV), Rey Tolentino, (Greenhills Christian Fellowship), Marilyn Baguilod (Solid Rock Indigenous) and Dave Montoya (Maple Baptist Church).      

Philippine Flag

                                     INVITATION

 JOIN US AT OFFICIAL FLAG RAISING TO CELEBRATE THE 118th ANNIVERSARY OF PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY

When:   Saturday, June 11, 2016, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Photo opportunity at 10:00 a.m.
Where:  Vaughan City Hall, 2141 Major Mackenzie Drive - at flagpoles near front entrance.  
What:   To commemorate the 118th anniversary of Philippine Independence Day, the City of Vaughan 
        will officially fly the Filipino flag and recognize June 11 as Filipino Day. The City of
        Vaughan is a twin city of Baguio, Philippines. Following the flag raising, program and 
        entertainment will be held at the Courtyard followed by lunch featuring Filipino food.

Who:  

Hon. Maurizio Bevilacqua, P.C., Mayor and Members of  Council
Hon. Rosalita Prospero, Consul General, Philippine Consulate, Toronto
Hon. Peter Kent, P.C., Member of Parliament, Thornhill
Deborah Schulte, Member of Parliament, King-Vaughan
Francisco Sorbara, Member of Parliament, Vaughan-Woodbridge
Gila Martow, Member of Provincial Parliament, Thornhill
Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan
Philippine Heritage Band
Greenhills Christian Fellowship
Maple Baptist Church
Solid Rock Indigenous Group
Residents and Community Groups

For more information, please contact any of the following:

Linda Insigne, Filipino Canadian Association of Vaughan, 416-670-4498
Carol Banez, Philippine Heritage Band, 416-264-4569
Au de Lara, Philippine Heritage Band, 905-738-3789, 905-832-8514 X4242
Lurvie DeBlois, Filipino Canadian Association of Vaughan, 905-669-5025
Marilyn Baguilod, Solid Rock Indigenous Group, 647-928-0277
Dave Montoya, Maple Baptist Church, 905-417-1998
Rey Tolentino, Greenhills Christian Fellowship, email: rey.tolentino@yahoo.com

Little Princes & Little Princesses 2016 – FCAV, City of Vaughan

The Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan (FCAV) held the coronation of Little Princes / Princesses 2016 at Dufferin Clark Community Centre, City of Vaughan. These young boys and girls raised funds for the security cameras and alarm system at Patricia Kemp Community Centre as well as an electronic sign to inform users the many activities that Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan has to offer.

Patricia Kemp Community Centre is leased to the Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan by the City of Vaughan for 20 years. It is the Centre of all FCAV’s programs and activities. The facility is also being used by other Filipino associations, various community groups, and the community at large.

L-R: Zoey Gabrielle Molina, 1st Little Princess; Vittorio Cristini, 1st Little Prince;

Nasia Mayricle Castillo, FCAV Little Princess 2016; Dufferin DeBlois McNabney, FCAV Little Prince 2016; Ruth Ann Bayanos, 2^nd Little Princess; Jasmine Tomines, 3^nd Little Princess. Standing is Michael Di Biase, Deputy Mayor, City of Vaughan.

On Thursday, May 19, the Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan (FCAV) travelled to Ottawa. With the assistance of Michael, Amy and Sack from the Hon. Peter Kent’s office, the group toured Parliament  Hill building including the library, standing committee room and observed first-hand how the Members of Parliament questioned each other at the House of Commons.  Their debate included Physician Assisted Death and Electoral Reforms.

The group met with Hon. Peter Kent, former Environment Minister; Hon. Jason Kenney, former Minister of National Defense and Minister of Multiculturalism; Senator Tobias Enverga Jr. and Senator Victor Oh.  The Speaker of the House also addressed the group.

The group also visited the Tulips in Bloom. The tulips were amazingly gorgeous and came in different colours – yellow, red, pink, purple and white.

FCAV trip to Ottawa was definitely remarkable and they thank the New Horizon for Seniors Program (NHSP) and the Hon. Peter Kent, MP for Thornhill, for making it possible.

At the Filipino Centre Toronto President’s Gala on April 23, 2016 – Hon. Patrick Brown, Leader, Provincial Conservative Party with Erlinda and Tony Insigne, Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan (FCAV).

Mary Rose was presented a Volunteer Recognition Award by Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua at Vaughan City Hall on April 14, 2016 for her outstanding dedication and contribution to the community particularly to the Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan (FCAV). Mary Rose helped organize fundraising events, assisted in the basic computer training courses, and performed clerical work at FCAV’s office.

Twin City marker re-opening; Medical supplies donated to Baguio City from the Filipino-Canadian Association (FCAV). Handing over the medical supplies are Lily & Efren Miranda of FCAV.  Accepting the donation are Mayor Mauricio Domogan, Councillor Lourdes Tabanda, Dr. Acuba, Director of Baguio City General Hospital and Dr. Rowena Galpo, City Health Officer