Volume 4, Issue No. 7
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 Monday, July 25, 2022
~ The swearing-in, the kundimans, the tribal dances and music from the Cordilleras, the food, the camaraderie, the absence of trapos (or traditional politicians) - they make a perfect combination for success. And success it was for the FUN Philippines Toronto Street Festival that went on for two days, Saturday and Sunday (July 23 and 24), thanks to PLACA, the Philippine Consulate, and the various sponsors for injecting some meaning into what otherwise was the usual song-and-dance routine typical of Filipino community events.
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A CELEBRATION OF A CELEBRATION
The Day Patriotism Took Its Place in Toronto
FUN Philippines Toronto Street Festival Is Historic in Many Ways
By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ
Editor, The Filipino Web Channel
“How long have you been away from the country?" Laruja asked Ibarra.
"Almost seven years."
"Then you have probably forgotten all about it."
"Quite the contrary. Even if my country does seem to have forgotten me, I have always thought about it.”
"Almost seven years."
"Then you have probably forgotten all about it."
"Quite the contrary. Even if my country does seem to have forgotten me, I have always thought about it.”
Counting the numbers seems irrelevant now. Except to the organizers, it mattered little if the one-kilometre stretch of road had been packed to the rafters and turned into a huge platform for eating, dancing, singing, talking, walking, playing, or just plain sightseeing.
The thing was a celebration of a celebration. I mean the relief, if temporarily, from the pandemic; the renewal of friendships; the instant feeling of being with the community again; the communal sharing of food; the enjoyment of each other's company; the business dealings; the reminder of the country's cultural and musical heritage.
All these encapsulate what we knew as the Philippines in its entirety. It's the homeland coming alive here in Toronto, a distant 13,000-plus kilometres from where many of us were born and raised.
The inclusion of the oath-taking of returning Filipino citizens who are also Canadians lent great significance to the holding of FUN Philippines Toronto Street Festival (I'd like to abbreviate it as FUN Phil). (Video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V56QPpKhRYU).
The sponsoring organizations, mainly the Philippine Legacy and Cultural Alliance (PLACA) and the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto, are to be commended for this feature if only to highlight the kind of unity that every individual and organizations aspire to achieve but failed.
Many events in the Filipino community are united in having entertainment to please the eyes and ears but quite rare in instilling pride and patriotism among those born and bred Filipinos who toil on foreign shores to keep their dignity intact. Flag-waiving may look superficial but it was there!
In such a meaningful way, FUN Phil took aim at the heart (figuratively, of course), the very core of every living thing.
I believe the organization succeeded in planting the seeds of love of country by incorporating the swearing-in into its program. To me, it symbolizes the acceptance of responsibility for what may happen in the home country. That's patriotism.
It warms the heart to see some of them wearing the barong for men and the traditional baro't saya (also called gown with butterfly sleeves) for women. More than anything, the garments are uniquely Filipino, an unmistakable statement of identity in this multicultural country.
In one moment while trying to get a reaction, the four people who agreed to talk spoke of their lasting affection for their birth country.
"Itong araw na ito ay very special kasi kahit paano umalis tayo ng Pilipinas, ang puso natin talagang sa Pilipinas pa rin," says Grace Aquino who is originally from San Juan, Batangas.
For her part, Gina (or Tina) Sanchez of Zamboanga del Sur explains: "Nag oath-taking kami para ibalik ang aming pagka-Pilipino citizen dahil mahal namin ang Pilipinas at nakikita naman kahit sa tindi ng init ng araw ngayon, tinatanggap naming mainit ang pagka-Pilipino at ibinabalik namin ang pagka-Pilipino citizen".
Cheryl Sunga and husband Jay were no less emphatic, Says Cheryl: "The reason why I reacquire my Filipino citizenship is because I love my roots; I love being a Filipino, and I just cannot live without it, and I always want to go back to the Philippines".
For Jay, who was born in Canada, the inspiration to get Filipino citizenship was his wife. He hopes to visit the country and learn to speak Tagalog.
On a personal level, one of the moments that really tugged at the heartstrings was the kundimans rendered by Mary Kristine Garcia who sang Ang Langit Ko'y Ikaw and Minamahal Kita. Those songs made me nostalgic and brought memories of my parents who used to hum them when I was still in grade school. (Video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjqggTYTyqk).
I can say FUN Phil elevated the street festival to something not done before. Beyond the usual song and dance routine, the political pontificating, and the social climbing typical of leaders, the two-day fest was a first in many respects.
As an observer, I'm glad to have not seen nor heard every Juan, Pedro, and Tomas occupying center stage, sitting with their spouses, and taking in every applause, real or orchestrated, from people waiting for the entertainment part to begin. You see, we're happy without them, right?
I'm glad as well to not have to witness emcees who pander to the crowd, extolling the false virtues of trapos, and leaders of questionable characters and motives. Maybe in the future, our community events should get rid of them, and the trapos too. (Copyright 2022. All Rights Reserved).
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