Sights and smells of barbeques and other Manila street food, artistic cultural displays and exhibits, full day entertainment and a colorful street parade drew thousands at this year’s Manitoba Filipino Street Festival (MFSF).
Held downtown at the Legislative grounds on Saturday, August 26, 2017, the event has been part of the summer celebration of culture and traditions of the
large Filipino community in Manitoba for six years now.
Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike lined the road to either watch or take part in the parade of colorful floats, variety of costumes and street performances.
Festival’s centre stage featured popular local singers, rock and acoustic bands, Zumba and other dance groups with special guest Philippine television actress and singer Arci Munoz of ABS CBN Star Magic and Kapamilya Network.
Darling of the crowd. Arci Munoz left everyone star-strucked with her charm, beauty and powerful vocals. Arci is member of the Filipino rock band Philia and one of the stars of soap opera “Pasion de Amor”.
CKJS 810 AM Radio (which is a media partner of the event) joined the more than fifty organizations, groups and ethnic groups which represented the different regions in the Philippines in the morning parade. More than 100 associations, food vendors and exhibitors took part in the event.
CKJS Announcer Lendyll Soriano (Bisaya ni Bay) and Keii happily pose for a souvernir photo before the start of the parade
CKJS Announcers Donna Natividad-Arenas (Good Morning Philippines) and Lucille Nolasco (Afternoon Pasada) are joined by friends in this souvenir photo before the start of the parade
This year, CKJS 810 AM did its remote live broadcast from the Vickar Automotive Group Booth for Waverly Mitsubishi, which is one of the big sponsors of the event.
CKJS Announcer Chester Pangan with Larry and Toba of Vickar Automotive Group during the live remote broadcast
The Manitoba Filipino Festival is more than a showcase of culture, food and performance but a picture of community solidarity, pride and spirit of nationalism. Mabuhay ang lahing kayumanggi sa Manitoba!
A glimpse of the colorful MFSF 2017 on photos.
(Thanks to Henry Balanial/HB Digiphoto, Josel Catindoy/Josel Media, Nonie Manalili , JP Sumbillo, Alex Canlapan, Chito Sta Brigada, Ron Cantiveros and Lucille Nolasco for letting us use some of their amazing photos for our CKJS website).
Members of organizing committee MFSF with chairpersons Aida Champagne and Ley Navarro leading the parade
Queen of the Festival, Dasha Quintana
Queen Bulilit Alessandra Datuin
Aklan Association of Manitoba bagged the best Cultural Dance and Best in Cultural Attire awards
Bibak emerged as top winner in both the Best Float and Best Decorated Tent categories
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Pinoy Saturday Night Host Ayen Dandan-Zamora with her TD Bank Family
Look our CKJS cruiser down the road joining the parade!
Lucille on her lovely embroidered juzi gown with nephew David, Antonette and Joyce on Mindanao attire and some friends
Donna is joined by daughter Deona and her friend Juri in their traditional rural folk dresses
Lendyll behind the wheel
CKJS News Director Lito Taruc given the task as one of the judges for the best talent performance along with Joy Lazo and Judyanne Jaime
Toronto-based theatre actress/singer Ma Anne Dionisio (former Winnipeger who played as Kim in Canadian production of Miss Saigon) lead the singing of the Philippine Natonal Anthem during the opening ceremonies. Ma-Anne, who stars in Rainbow Stage’s Mamma Mia production also gave a powerful rendition of “Isang Lahi”.
Aida Champagne (Chairperson of the Festival ), together with the Board of Directors of MFSF and the Queens of the Festival
Festival co-chairman Ley Navarro with Board of Directors and members of the MFSF
Queen and Queen Bulilit MFSF 2017 and their runner ups
Ayen and Maui Zamora of CKJS’ Pinoy Saturday Night with some friends. The real life couple hosted the afternoon entertainment show
Lucille @ the Aklan Booth with Belle and Rhiz
Young culture lovers like David enjoyed going around the different decorated floats
Kudos to all organizers, sponsors, participants, supporters and hundreds of volunteers who worked together to make this event a success.
(Credit: I would like to personally thank Mr Lito Taruc of Nayong Pilipino Pavillion for letting me and the girls of CKJS borrow our beautiful folk dresses).
