Advisories & News
Press Release
PCG Toronto joins the "Vaughan Fiesta Extravaganza 2020 – Virtual Muna"
2020-07-31
PR 36-2020
28 July 2020, Toronto, Ontario – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto participated in the online celebration of the largest Filipino-Canadian summer event in the City of Vaughan, dubbed as “Vaughan Fiesta Extravaganza 2020 – Virtual Muna”, which was streamed live on Facebook, Youtube, and all MCBN digital platforms on 18 July 2020, with a replay on 26 July 2020. The event was organized by the Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan (FCAV), the MCBN Media Group, and the Canadian Heritage, in cooperation with The Filipino Channel (TFC).
Now on its 3rd year, the Vaughan Fiesta Extravaganza, is an annual summer event that celebrates Filipino Heritage Month and promotes multicultural awareness and appreciation. It also recognizes the achievements of Filipino-Canadians who have contributed tremendously to the socio-economic fabric of Canada. This year’s celebration was dedicated to all the Filipino-Canadian frontline and essential workers, and first responders all over the world, with special mention of Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto’s Medical Officer of Health, who is a Canadian of Filipino descent.
The event started with a prayer, followed by the singing of the Philippine and Canadian national anthems, then the Opening Special message from Vaughan City Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua. Other Canadian government officials who also sent in their video messages hailing the many contributions of Filipino-Canadians in their riding, especially the generosity of the spirit of frontline and essential workers during these unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic, were Minister of Parliament (MP) Peter Kent (Vaughan-Thornhill), Ontario Education Minister Stephen Lecce, Conservative Party Leader Andrew Sheer, and MP Anthony Housefather (Mt. Royal, Montreal Riding).
The video message of Her Excellency Petronila P. Garcia, Philippine Ambassador to Canada, was also featured in the program. In her message, Ambassador Garcia emphasized that the occasion is an opportunity to remember the “members of the Filipino community who count among Canada’s frontline workers and who continue to keep the community safe amidst this pandemic, some of them have made the ultimate sacrifice in fulfillment of their oath to humanity, and we honor them today”.
Consul General Orontes V. Castro likewise participated in the almost 8-hour virtual event with his video message for the Filipino-Canadians. In his remarks, Consul General Castro recognized the achievements of the Filipino-Canadian community and their contributions to the City of Vaughan, as well as the dedication and perseverance of the organizers in bringing the community together through the Fiesta and celebrate Filipino heritage.
The event also featured a tribute to Ms. Erlinda Insigne, the President of FCAV since 1993. It was during her term that the Friendship/Sister City Agreement between the cities of Vaughan and Baguio was signed in 1997. The Educational Exchange Program between the St. Elizabeth Catholic High School in Vaughan and the Baguio City Catholic High School was also established during her term. Under this program, 216 exchange students, parents and teachers went to the Baguio City in July 2000 and 212 exchange students, guardians and teachers from the Philippines visited Vaughan in May 2001.
Other milestones under Ms. Insigne’s term include: the naming of the Philippine Canadian Friendship Parkette; the signing of the City’s grant to FCAV of a 20-year lease of the Patricia Kemp Community Centre, which also later housed the MCBN Media’s Pinoy Radio; the signing of the proclamation of Filipino Day in Vaughan in 2004; and many other fundraising events and programs for seniors.
This year in January, after participating in Winter Escapade 7, Consul General Castro paid a courtesy call on Baguio City Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong. Also present during the meeting were other officials from Baguio City led by Councillor Leila Sembrano, Ms. Insigne and her husband, Mr. Antonio Insigne. During the meeting, Mayor Magalong emphasized that among his top priorities is the improvement of the economic and cultural ties under the Sister City Twinning Agreement between the City of Baguio and the City of Vaughan. He also presented Consul General Castro with a symbolic key to the City.
MCBN Media Group’s giving back to the community through charity projects in the Philippines, named “Bahay Mo, Sagip Ko”, was also featured during the program.
The celebration showcased non-stop entertainment featuring Filipino talents from different parts of the world. There were home-grown talents from Canada (Toronto, Hamilton, and Montreal), from the USA (New York, New Jersey, and Las Vegas), from Australia (Melbourne), and the Philippines. The fiesta also featured games and prizes from different sponsors were given to the winners. Music videos from the Philippine Department of Tourism and a Philippine band named REtroSPECT, paying tribute to Filipino frontline workers, were also shown in the virtual celebration. –END
Right photo: Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan (FCAV) President Erlinda Insigne, one of the organizers of the Vaughan Fiesta Extravaganza 2020 – Virtual Muna, was given a tribute during the online celebration.
