WINNIPEG – The joyful percussion from the Aklan Ati Atihan of Manitoba band filled the morning air as delegations of various kababayan organizations, invited guests and curious onlookers took part in the flag-raising held on Saturday, June 3rd at the Philippine Canadian Centre of Manitoba (PCCM) grounds.
Organized by the Philippine Heritage Council of Manitoba (PHCM), the annual ceremony launches the month-long celebration of Philippine culture and heritage in the province.
The participating member associations assembled in the back parking lot of the venue and proceeded to the front rotunda by walking parade-style with each contingent waving miniature Philippine flags and holding their association banners in front. The procession was accompanied by the distinctive drumbeats and crashes of the Aklan Ati Atihan band.
As the groups paraded around the rotunda and settled into their designated areas, Ernesto Ofiaza, Jr., president of the Filipino Music and Arts Association of Canada, Inc. called upon the Musica Singers of PCCM to lead the singing of the national anthems of Canada and the Philippines.
Elected officials from the three levels of government gamely assisted with raising the flags for Canada, the province of Manitoba and the city of Winnipeg.
After some mingling and photo opportunities, the crowd re-assembled inside the multi-purpose hall where the morning’s program continued. Joining Ofiaza as co-emcee was Shell Baladad, PHCM Vice President for Sponsorships and chair of the event’s organizing committee.
The rest of the program proceeded briskly as Ofiaza played a musical rendition of the land acknowledgment, followed by welcome remarks from Baladad who then acknowledged the honoured guests, sponsors, participating groups and volunteers who made the event possible.
After the invocation led by Ptr. Andy Capesinio of the Filipino Inter Church Federation, PHCM president Perla Javate gave her welcome remarks on a stage accented by a decorative arch adorned with Filipino native hats, fans and flowers courtesy of the members of the Filipino Members Chapter – Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba (FMC-EGM).
The next segment of the program saw special greetings brought by representatives of the three levels of government. Kevin Lamoureux, Liberal Member of Parliament for Winnipeg North represented the federal government, Labour and Immigration Minister Jon Reyes for the province, and Councilor Markus Chambers for the City of Winnipeg.
The attendees enjoyed live musical entertainment from the Musica Singers who rendered another vocal performance, as well as from notable Filipino artists in Winnipeg such as Vina Dimayuga; Daniel Tabo-oy, Jr, Dario Malabuyoc with Crisanto Aquino; Magdaragat Philippines, Chiara Mae Asumbrado with David Manalo; and Yzza Reyes Lijauco with Roni Rigor.
Refreshments were served throughout the program consisting of a packed meal of pancit, spring rolls and dinner rolls. Coffee, Timbits and bottled water were also available for the guests.
In their closing remarks, Ofiaza and Baladad invited the audience to check out the other celebrations of Filipino Heritage Month listed on the PHCM site at https://phcminc.org/fhm2023/.
You can watch more videos of the flag-raising ceremony and indoor program on Barangay Manitoba when it debuts on the Shaw Spotlight Community TV Channel next week.
Photo credit: Nonie Manalili Photography