The Spring and Summer of Fun in Toronto

Volume 3, Issue No. 55

OPINION/COMMENTARY

/ News That Fears None, Views That Favor Nobody /

. . . . . A community service of The Filipino Web Channel (TheFilipinoWebChannel@gmail. com) and the Philippine Village Voice (PhilVoiceNews@gmail.com) for the information and understanding of Filipinos and the diverse communities in North America . . . . . .

 

 Our latest as of Thursday, June 2, 2022 

~ By the looks of it, normalcy has returned to the Greater Toronto Area. The Filipino community is partying again two and half years after being physically and socially isolated, and some quarantined, because of the pandemic. An abundance of food, lots of entertainment, and face-to-face interactions are in store for everyone as spring fades into summer in Canada's largest city. 

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SEASON FOR FUN AND FROLIC

Filipinos Gear for Picnics, Entertainment

By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ 

Editor, The Filipino Web Channel

“Life is a celebration. Consider everything that makes you happy as a gift from God and say, 'Thank you'.” ― Francis Lucille

TORONTO - In just a little over two weeks before summer kicks in, Filipino organizations are all ready to put their best foot forward in celebration of a return to normalcy that the pandemic had interrupted in the last two years and a half.

This weekend alone, specifically on Saturday, June 4, the Philippine Independence Day Council (PIDC) goes back to Earl Bales Park, its traditional venue for day-long picnics in the city's North York district, to mark the 124th anniversary of Philippine independence from Spain and commemorate Filipino Heritage Month.

On Sunday, June 5, the Filipino Centre Toronto (FCT) holds its "Pistahan 2022" with the promise of food, games and entertainment at its home base in Scarborough. 

Despite its urging to "join us", FCT appears unwelcoming, its invitation perfunctory as indicated by the announcement that more information is available only by phone or by email.

On June 12, a Sunday, the Philippine Canadian Charitable Foundation (PCCF) will have its "Pinoy Fiesta & Trade Show" at Albert Campbell Square in Scarborough. It offers free admission to celebrate Philippine culture.

By the first month of summer, that's on July 23 and 24, the FUN Philippines street festival takes over Bathurst St. and Wilson Ave., the core junction of Little Manila, for its "summer weekend of food and cultural adventure".

FUN Philippines under PLACA (Philippine Legacy & Cultural Alliance) enjoins the community to "Eat. Engage, Experience. Enjoy!" in what it claims to be "the biggest Filipino street party" in Toronto.

Nathan Phillips Square, itself a major tourist destination in downtown Toronto, is the site of PIDC's Mabuhay Philippines Festival, which is touted as "the largest celebration of Philippine heritage and culture in Canada" on August 13 and 14. It'll be PIDC's second community event this year.

If plans do not miscarry, and if it continues to abide by the rules and be transparent, a Taste of Manila festival will materialize in Little Manila on August 20-21 under the auspices of IEC, a purported not-for-profit org run by newbies and oldies of Little Manila. (Copyright 2022. All Rights Reserved).