Advisories & News
Press Release
PCG Toronto joins “PAMANA”, PIDC’s Virtual Mabuhay Philippines Festival
2020-09-05
PR-47-2020
29 August 2020, Toronto, Ontario – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto participated in the 1st virtual Mabuhay Philippines Festival of the Philippine Independence Day Council (PIDC) held on 22 and 23 August 2020. It was the first time that the annual event was celebrated in a virtually-simulated programming to conform with the social distancing and mass gathering restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
PIDC has hosted the Mabuhay Philippines Festival for over two (2) decades now and persevered to continue the tradition in 2020, despite the pandemic, to uplift the spirits and morale of everyone who, in one way or another, was affected by the pandemic.
The 9-hour pre-recorded show was streamed on 22 and 23 August 2020 from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm via PIDC’s website. Pamana was hosted by Ms. Melissa Grelo, an award-winning Filipino-Canadian TV personality and host of CTV’s The Social” and “Your Morning”, and Ms. Cristina Carpio, host of the luxury travel show, “Going Global TV Season 2”, launched on CNBC World.
The program was opened with the singing of the Philippine and Canadian national anthems, a short film clip of Philippines Land of the Enchanted, and a warm welcome from the show hosts. Ms. Norma Carpio, founder of PIDC and Chairman of the Mabuhay Philippines Festival, gave her welcome message.
Philippine Ambassador to Canada Petronila P. Garcia and Consul General Orontes V. Castro’s video messages for the frontline workers, viewers, and organizers of Pamana were featured in the program. In her message, Ambassador Garcia emphasized that the occasion is an “opportunity to honor and thank the many members of the Filipino community who continue to battle the pandemic in Canada and provide much-needed service to the public. Their work reminds us of the true essence of bayanihan and how each one of us has a role to play in protecting our communities.” Consul General Castro, on the other hand, appreciated the perseverance of the organizers for putting-up the festival despite the COVID-19 pandemic, and mentioned that “though we are not able to get together in person for this fiesta, we are comforted in knowing that more people from all over the world will be able to witness the event.”
There were also pre-recorded messages from Canadian government officials. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, “… this isn’t how we typically celebrate but even without the in-person street parade and the many tastes and sounds that go with it, we are still going to celebrate your culture and heritage today because it is important to find new ways to come together during these difficult times.” The other Canadian officials whose video messages were shared came from Ontario Premiere Doug Ford, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marco Mendicino, Minister of Families, Children, and Social Development Ahmed Hussen, Michael Levitt, Toronto Mayor John Tory, Filipino-Canadian Toronto Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa, and Mr. Raj Thavaratnasingham, President of the Canadian Multicultural Council-Asians in Ontario. Their messages hailed the many contributions of Filipino-Canadians especially the generosity of the spirit of frontline and essential workers during these unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the interview portion with Dr. Eileen de Villa, she was asked how much her culture influence her and her being in a very important role in Toronto Public Health, especially during the pandemic. To this, Dr. de Villa replied, “as part of a global community, we recognize that we have a role…and responsibility to play and I take that seriously. How I try to pay it forward is to make sure that I tell people that I‘m very proud of that Filipino heritage of mine and I support as many Filipino community endeavours as I can.” She added that “What I think is really incredible with Filipino heritage is that there is this really deep understanding of the benefit and the strength that you derive from family…and the community and when you put that together with public health, how else can you be other than to feel that this is the right and incredible opportunity.”
The bubbly co-hosts Grelo and Carpio interviewed well-known personalities on how the pandemic has affected them, how they continued their lives and careers despite the limitations, and gave their grateful messages to the frontline workers, Filipino and other nationalities alike. They interviewed renowned fashion designers Renee Salud, Francis Libiran, Kenneth Barlis, Dita Sandico, Jaki Peñalosa, and Shanon Pamaong; Filipino-Canadian TV news personalities, Pauline Chan (CTV News Health & Lifestyle anchor), Zuraidah Alman (CTV News Late-Night Local Newscast anchor/reporter), Kayla Marie Williams (CP24 Breaking News anchor/reporter), and Hazel Mae Barker (MLB Network sporstscaster/anchor); and other famous personalities as Joey Albert, Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, Miss International 2013 Bea Santiago, PIDC Pageant beauties, multi-award-winning Broadway producer Jhett Tolentino, Miss Saigon star Maan Dionisio, Gawad Kalinga advocate Pidoy Pacis, among others.
Pamana also presented the evolution of Mabuhay Philippines Parade, from its launch in 1998 to mark the 100th year of the declaration of Philippine Independence.
The virtual festival also featured the rich culture, heritage, and arts of the Philippines-through dances, music, textile, fashion, and games. The festival also showcased the popular Sinulog and Dinagyang Philippine festivals, as well as various Philippine folk dances by Toronto-based Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe, Kahayag Dance Company Philippines, a Singkil presentation by the Kalahi Philippine Dance Company, a Tinikling dance by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Sayaw sa Bangko, a Tinikling Battle, and Larong Lahi by the Bituin Dance Team.
The celebration showcased non-stop entertainment featuring Filipino and Filipino-Canadian talents and presentations – El Gamma Penumbra, Bale Balayan Kids, Kiara Miranda Fina, Dannica Carpio, a ballroom dancing presentation, the University of the Philippines Manila Chorale, Maan Dionisio, Dylan Miranda Sinclair, Martha Joy, Emilio Zarris, Antonette Targa, Belinda Corpuz, Danny Orbillo, Chyrell Samson, Jennifer Camacho, Josie de Leon, Celine Gray, and Nicolas Manlapaz, Alyssa Datu, Maria Panaligan, Jennifer Uy, Pinolepa Acachamps, Chrell Samson, Precious Hernandez, Michael Elefano, Melanie Lazaro, Maria Panaligan, Scott Dion Brown, Moira dela Torre, and the University of North Texas College of Music’s rendition of Philippine song Rosas Pandan, among others.
Community greetings from the officers of PIDC was also an interesting part of the program. The major sponsors and community partners of PIDC were also presented.
The online show manifested PIDC’s advocacy of preserving and promoting Filipino culture, heritage, traditions, and arts. It was also an opportunity to experience the Filipinos’ inherit virtue of resiliency in difficult times. In the words of Ms. Norma Carpio, PIDC Mabuhay Philippines Festival Chairman, “As part of PIDC’s contribution to the global community, the virtual Mabuhay Philippines Festival this year is a great and timely platform to recognize those who risk their lives to save lives, as frontline workers, as we pay a noble tribute for their gallantry and dedication in serving humankind.”
The PIDC Mabuhay Philippines Festival officially ended with a message from PIDC President Ramon Estaris. He highlighted the significance of Pamana, “PIDC stood up to its mandate and objective, to inspire and serve the community and above all, this serves as a tribute to our modern day heroes, our frontliners who are working and risking their lives in the service of the people.” END