Vaughan Fiesta Extravaganza 2023 in Celebration of Filipino Heritage Month Click Here to View VFE 2023!
Thanks to the amazing Emcees: Kristianne Pascual, Gizele Mirasol, Philip Beloso, and all other Emcees, technical directors and staff, participants, vendors, sponsors, etc. who made VFE 2023 a great success!
The 125th Anniversary of Philippine Independence was celebrated in the City of Vaughan on Sunday, June 11, 2023 with Consul Rodney Sumague, Philippine Consulate Toronto; Mayor Steven Del Duca and Members of Council ((Regional Councillors: Linda Jackson, Mario Ferri, Gino Rosati, Mario Racco ); Councillors: Adriano Volpentesta, Rosanna De Francesca, Chris Ainsworth, Gila Martow)); MPs: Melissa Lantsman, Thornhill; Francesco Sorbara, Vaughan-Woodbridge; Anna Roberts, King-Vaughan; Hon. Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education and MPP King-Vaughan; Laura Smith MPP, Thornhill; Community Associations and their presidents/leaders: PHB, MCBN / Pinoy Radio, Solid Rock Indigenous, BIBAAK, Arnis Group, Mabuhay Lions Club, Scarborough Federation of Filipino Canadians, Filipino Canadian Assn of Vaughan, Balita, and the Filipino community at large. The celebration was Emceed by Kristianne Pascual and Von Canton of MCBN / Pinoy Radio.
The Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan (FCAV) will be celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Twinning between the City of Vaughan (Canada) and Baguio City (Philippines). The event will take place at Hazelton Manor, 99 Peeler Road, Vaughan, ON., Canada on Sat., Nov. 19,2022, starting at 6:00 p.m. There will be a program, food, music, & entertainment. It will be an enjoyable and memorable evening.
The Friendship Agreement then called “twinning initiative” started on November 26, 1994 at the Association’s Christmas party. Mrs. Maria Alvero, then Trade Commissioner, was the guest speaker and she spoke about trade and investments opportunities and expressed the Philippines’ interest in strengthening cultural and economic ties between the Philippines and Canada. Her Worship, Mayor Lorna Jackson, was also at the party and she responded that the City of Vaughan is also interested in strengthening ties with cities in other countries, particularly those whose people have chosen Vaughan in which to live. Erlinda, president, Filipino Canadian Association of Vaughan (FCAV) pursued the twinning initiative and asked FCAV members to research for an ideal city following the criteria set forth by the Economic Development of Vaughan. The criteria included population, industry, transportation and communication. The city that best fitted the criteria was Baguio City, hence it was selected in May 1995.
Baguio City Councillor Virgilio Bautista visited the City of Vaughan and held an exploratory talk with Mayor Jackson and Vaughan Council in June 1996.
In November 1996, Baguio City Council passed Resolution #410 establishing a Sisterhood Relationship between Baguio City and the City of Vaughan.
Erlinda Insigne traveled to Baguio City and paid a courtesy call to Mayor Domogan and the Baguio City Council in December 1996. At that time, Mayor Domogan invited Vaughan Mayor Jackson to visit Baguio City.
On February 24, 1997, the FCAV, Erlinda Insigne, along with Consul General Santos of the Philippine Consulate and other Vaughan Filipino Associations, appeared before Vaughan Council and after questions and answers, a motion was unanimously approved to establish a
Friendship Agreement between Baguio City, Philippines and the City of Vaughan, Ontario, Canada. Consequently, Consul General Santos issued a press release.
On April 25, 1997, Vaughan Mayor Jackson and party traveled to Baguio City to sign the Friendship Agreement with Baguio Mayor Domogan. The signing was held at The Mansion House, summer home the Philippine president.
On October 30, 1997, Baguio City Mayor Domogan and party traveled to the City of Vaughan to sign the Friendship Agreement with Vaughan Mayor Jackson.
The “Friendship Agreement” otherwise called “Twinning” between the City of Vaughan, Canada and Baguio City, Philippines was the 1st Friendship Agreement between the governments of the Philippines and Canada in the province of Ontario. Its objective was to promote social, cultural and educational exchanges and economic opportunity between the two cities. The FilipinoCanadian Association of Vaughan (FCAV) is very proud to have been the catalyst for this historical achievement.
Since then and for the last 25 years, there have been official visits; educational student exchanges; participation in centennial celebration of Baguio City; yearly celebration of Philippine Independence in Vaughan known as Filipino Day; construction of the Twin City Monument Sign
in Baguio City; Sister City sign in Vaughan; Vaughan Fiesta Extravaganza to celebrate Filipino heritage; granting of a 20-year lease of Patricia Kemp Community Centre to FCAV; display of Baguio City products in Vaughan and the Philippine Canadian Friendship Parkette to mention a mention a few. Hopefully an MOU will be signed between University of Baguio and University of Niagara Ontario during Silver Anniversary of Twinning.
This year, in coordination with the Philippine Consulate in Toronto and City of Vaughan, FCAV will be celebrating the 25 years of Twinning. This is a significant and remarkable event to reflect the achievements of Twinning for the last 25 years. Consul General Orontes Castro of the
Philippine Consulate in Toronto pointed out that only few Twinning in Canada lasted 25 years.
214 total views
The weather was wonderful, the fiesta even more so. Click HERE to view VFE 2022!
July 2 & 3 Dufferin Clark Library & Community Park, 1441 Clark Ave. W., Vaughan, ON L4J 7R4. Parade starts at 10 am.
596 total views
June 11, 2022
The Filipino Canadian Association of Vaughan (FCAV), in cooperation with officials of the City of Vaughan, celebrated the 124th Anniversary of Philippine Independence at Vaughan City Centre. The festivities began with a parade of Filipino groups, raising of the Philippine flag, special greetings from Hon. Orontes Castro, Consul General of the Philippines in Toronto, Vaughan Deputy Mayor Mario Ferri (on behalf of Mayor Maurizio Bevilaqua), MP Anna Roberts, MP Melissa Lantsman, MP Francesco Sorbara, MPP Stephen Lecce and MPP Laura Smith, interspersed between performances by the Philippine Heritage Band (PHB), Cultural dances by the Solid Rock Indigenous Group, martial arts demonstration by Arnis Group and a “Bulaklakan” dance by FCAV. Other guests celebrating with us were Regional Councillor Gino Rosati, Councillor Rosanna DeFrancesca, Regional and Local Councillor Linda Jackson, and other dignitaries. Lunch served indoors included Philippine culinary favorites such as lechon and pancit. It was a successful event, enjoyed by all.
Thank you to all those who attended…. Toronto Mabuhay Lion’s Club, Solid Rock Ministries, Bata to Batapreneur, Philippine Martial Arts Academy, Maple Baptist Church, Association of Filipino Canadian Accountants (AFCA), Philippine Heritage Band (PHB), MCBN Media Group / Pinoy Radio and friends of the Philippines. Mabuhay tayong lahat!
424 total views, 1 views today
This was the picture of the Friendship Parkette last year (2020).
We have received a grant to beautify the Philippine Friendship Parkette from the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). The aim of our project is to support our seniors by promoting socialization, mental health and physical health through gardening the area which includes planting flowers, shrubs, vegetables near the Friendship Parkette Sign. This grant also includes line dancing and Zumba exercises which gets seniors moving in a fun way.
Due to COVID-19, we had to post-pone the start of the project to June 15 2020. We had a maximum of five volunteers, at a given time, due to the restrictions and guidelines recommended by health officials.We also had safety measures in place such as mandatory masks, gloves, and a physical distance of at least two metres between each individual.
We have purchased and received donations in the form of shrubs, flowers, a handful of vegetables and other plants to beautify the friendship parkette and its’ surroundings. We have also created a small vegetable garden that will help get out seniors active and engaged.
We would like to thank Frank Miele, and Jackie Cristini who spearheaded the beautification of the Philippine Friendship Parkette. Likewise we would like to thank FCAV volunteers like Tony I, Gary G, Joel M, Sonny M, Atilla M, Gloria D, Pastor Nars Tuyading and his crew from the Maple Baptist Church. In addition we would like to thank Giselle Mirasol, who donated $100 for the project.
The 22nd Anniversary of Twinning between the City of Vaughan and Baguio City was celebrated on Saturday, October 26, 2019 at Patricia Kemp Community Centre, 7894 Dufferin St., Vaughan, Ontario, Canada.
In October 30, 1997, “Twinning” otherwise called “Friendship Agreement” between the City of Vaughan, Canada and Baguio City, Philippines was signed. This inception marked the 1<sup>st</sup> Friendship Agreement between the governments of the Philippines and Canada in the province of Ontario. Its objective was to promote social, cultural and educational exchanges and economic opportunity between the two cities. The Filipino- Canadian Association of Vaughan or FCAV is very proud to have been the catalyst for this historical achievement.
Since then, there have been official visits; educational student exchanges; participation in centennial celebration of Baguio City; yearly celebration of Philippine Independence in Vaughan known as Filipino Day; construction of the Twin City Monument Sign in Baguio City; Vaughan Fiesta Extravaganza to celebrate Filipino heritage and the granting of a 20-year lease of Patricia Kemp Community Centre to the Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan by the City in October 2012.
FCAV is grateful to Mayor Bevilacqua and Members of Council, Hon. Peter Kent, MP for Thornhill, Hon. Michael Tibollo, MPP for Vaughan-Woodbridge; Deb Schulte, MP for King-Vaughan; Francesco Sorbara, MP for Vaughan-Woodbridge, Gila Martow, MPP for Thornhill for their support.
As well, FCAV is thankful for the support of the Philippine Consulate headed by the Hon. Orontes Castro who attended the event.
Likewise, FCAV is indebted to its officers, members and advisers, especially Professor Frank Miele, whose hard work and dedication throughout the years made the momentous occasion possible.
The program was emceed by Von Canton, CEO of Media Group /Pinoy Radio. Entertainment included a cultural dance by the Solid Rock Indigenous; Filipino martial arts by instructor Gary, PUNITE; line dancing by FCAV seniors and Zumba headed by instructor, Aurora Laurel. The DJ was Ryan Orlanda, host of Pinoy Radio.
The 22nd Anniversary of Twinning was indeed a remarkable event.
Philippines Consulate General Hon. Orontes Castro and Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua
FCAV Officers with Linda Jackson and Dignitaries
MP for Thornhill, Hon. Michael Tibollo, Councilor Gino Rosati and Dignitaries
MC Von Canton of Pinoy Radio
PHB President, MP Michael Tibollo, FCAV President, Hon. Orontes Castro, Deputy Mayor Ferri, Tony Insigne
Zumba instructor Aurora Halili (2nd from left) and Seniors Line Dancers
Zumba Dancers
Guro Gary Garduce (center) with Punite Martial Arts Students
Punite Martial Arts Demonstration
Solid Rock Indigenous Group Performance
Solid Rock Indigenous Group Performance
Philippine Canadian Friendship Parkette located south of Patricia Kemp Community Centre (PKCC) was unveiled on Saturday, September 8, 2018. The attendees included Consul Edna Mae Lazaro of the Philippine Consulate; Regional Councillor Gino Rosati; Frank Miele, FCAV Adviser; community leaders and the Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan (FCAV).
The Parkette was funded in part by the City of Vaughan thru the Canada 150 Community Grant in 2017. FCAV requested the funding to beautify the south corner of PKCC by naming it a parkette called Philippine Canadian Friendship Parkette. It was supposed to be installed last year during the celebration of Canada 150 Anniversary, however, it was delayed.
The Parkette sign has the logo of the City of Vaughan, Baguio City and FCAV. It is a testament of Friendship between the City of Vaughan (Canada) and the Baguio City (Philippines) – sister cities since 1997.
FCAV will be beautifying the parkette by installing benches and landscaping it. The parkette will provide FCAV members and the general public a place to enjoy such as picnics and small gatherings to promote social interaction and friendship.
In addition, the Filipino Canadian Association of Vaughan sign was installed beside the sign Patricia Kemp Community Centre facing Dufferin Street. Also, the address number: 7894 was affixed.
We would like to thank the Mayor and Council Members, particularly Regional Councillor Gino Rosati, and Staff for their continued support. Most especially, we would like to thank Frank Miele, FCAV adviser, for working so hard to have the signs installed just in time before the Anniversary of Twinning.
Likewise, we would like to thank FCAV members especially Jackie Cristini, Vittoro, Pastor Tuyading, Rommel Queddeng and Elmo for their assistance.
