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).