The rich Philippine culture was in the spotlight this weekend as Winnipeg’s indoor botanical attraction at the Assiniboine Conservancy, The Leaf, hosted an event titled “7,000+ Islands: Kalikasan, Kultura at Kapwa.”.
Coinciding with the biome’s “Flora of the Philippines” display, the event “pays homage to the country’s vast array of over 7,000 islands, each brimming with its own unique biodiversity, cultural richness, language, arts, and cuisines.”
The event featured traditional folk dances, ukulele performances, an arnis martial arts showdown, story telling, poetry, Filipino songs (kundiman and harana), and a sharing circle.
The event is a dream come true for Aira Villanueva, proprietor of Fleur de Fusilero flower boutique who organized the event. Aira, a passionate florist, is also a high school teacher. She shares “Everything I do is rooted in bringing people together through flowers, music and arts as well as promoting the Philippines and our rich biodiversity”.
Dennis Gupa, a film and theater professor at the University of Winnipeg, was the keynote speaker.
The specially created ecosystem honors the nation’s unique fruits and plants, which are highlighted by orchid trees, bamboo pillars, jackfruit, cocoa, pineapple, and balete, among other things. Additionally, there was an interactive discovery table where non-Filipino guests were introduced to jackfruit, banana hearts, and young coconut.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Mark Godilano)
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