Opinions
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Philippine Heritage Week 2010 |
The Philippine Heritage Council of Manitoba Inc. is a non-profit cultural group dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Philippine culture and heritage for our children and youth. PHCM also aims to showcase and share our culture with our fellow Canadians in Manitoba and to be active participants in our multicultural reality as Filipino-Canadians in promoting acceptance, mutual respect and understanding among fellow Canadians.
The PHCM evolved as a Council five years ago from what use to be an ad hoc committee known since the 1980s as the Philippine Heritage Week Committee. As a Council, it has involved a total of 32 organizations and our local media. It has developed a series of events that is meaningful to the various groups in our Philippine community and our city as a whole. This year, we will hold a series of events that will run from June 5th until June 19th. The community is welcome to join in the events meant for them. Here is a brief description of each event.
Flag Raising and Opening Ceremony
This is the official launch of the weeklong gathering. Various organizations participate in a short parade from within the premises of the Philippine Canadian Centre of Manitoba (PCCM) out to the flag area where we raise the Canadian, Provincial, City and Philippine Flags.
This year, the program will include greetings from the three levels of government and our Honourary Consul, a short entertainment segment and awarding of certificates of appreciation and recognition to members of the council in the past five years. This is open to the public. Saturday, June 5 at 9:30 a.m. PCCM, 737 Keewatin St.
A Philippine adventure for the young
This event is a partnership between the PHCM and the Sir William Stephenson Library. An afternoon event for children 10 years old and younger. This session will include story telling, book reading, a make and take period, learning, experiencing and dancing the tinikling bamboo dance – and snacks. This open to the public. Saturday, June 5. 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Sr. William Stephenson Library, 765 Keewatin St.
Welcome to the Bagong Dating
(New Arrivals from the Philippines)
This event is a joint project of the PHCM and the PCCM. This event aims at gathering new arrivals from within the last two years to provide orientation regarding employment, accreditation, settlement issues, the school system, housing, and more. Resource materials will be made available and snacks will be provided. Open to all newcomers and their families and friends. Sunday, June 6 at 3:00 P.M. Philippine-Canadian Centre of Manitoba, 737 Keewatin St.
Pista Sa Nayon
(Town Fiesta Theme)
An evening of costumes, food, entertainment and games, the aim of this event is to provide an avenue for grandparents, parents and children to interact in a fun way and to expose our children and youth to a Philippine fiesta. This is a fun evening and it is open to the public. Tuesday, June 8 at 6:30 - 9:30 P.M. DMCI Gymnasium, 720 Alverstone St.
MAFTI (Manitoba Association of Filipino Teachers Inc.)
This event will showcase the accomplishments of the Filipino After School Language classes. Students will provide entertainment and food will be served at the end of the event. This is open to the public. Wednesday, June 09 at 6:00 P.M. PCCM, 737 Keewatin St.
Philippine Independence Ball
This is a formal event and tickets are sold at $35 each. This evening commemorates the 112th anniversary of Philippine independence. On June 12, Philippine independence is celebrated worldwide, wherever there are Filipinos. Friday, June 11, 6:00 P.M. Marborough Hotel, 331 Smith St.
Picnic in the Park
Participating organizations put together a banquet for the community with entertainment and games for all ages. The theme for this year is “Share our World.” We hope to have more fellow Canadians come for this affair. This is open to the public. This year, it will be held at Crescent Park, just off Pembina Highway on Saturday, June 12.
Celebration of Faith
The Philippines is known as the only Christian nation in Asia and it is predominantly Roman Catholic. Filipinos are also known as very religious and so this gathering is to give Filipinos from various faiths, led by priests and pastors, to come together in an ecumenical spirit to pray for the Philippines, Canada, Manitoba and Winnipeg. This event will wind up the Philippine Heritage Week. This is open to the public. Sunday, June 13 at 5:00P.M. PCCM, 737 Keewatin St.
Manila to Manitoba
ANAK (Aksyon ng Ating Kabataan - Our Youth in Action), in conjunction with the Museum of Man and Nature, will launch their Manila to Manitobaoral history project about the Filipinos in Winnipeg on Friday, June 18 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Manitoba Museum, 190 Rupert Avenue. This event is by invitation only but exhibit will open to the public on June 19.
PHCM welcomes all our kababayansand our fellow Canadians. For large groups joining the Picnic in the Park, please call 955-5603 for additional information. Please call same number to order tickets for the Philippine Independence Ball on June 11th.
Mabuhay po tayong lahat!
Perla Javate is the president of the Philippine Heritage Council of Manitoba.