PIDC Slates Summer 2017  Mabuhay Festival, Parade  and Fashion Show

By Tony A. San Juan,OCT.
Toronto-Canada
July 31, 2017



Then, on August 26 & 27, 2017, Saturday & Sunday , the respectable  Filipino Canadian organization will conduct  its premier event,  the  Mabuhay  Philippines Festival and Street Parade 2017  at  the Nathan Phillips Square, City Hall, 100 Queen Street West, Toronto,Ontario.

Both major events are in commemoration of Canada's 150th year of confederation - July 1, 1867 and in celebration of the 119th Philippine Independence Day - June 12, 1898, as well. With the theme Kasaysayan , the organizers aptly describe the upcoming events as something that the participants, supporters, sponsors and the public will expect a remarkable presentation of what is best in Filipino Canadian values, talents , and cultural extravaganza  interwoven in traditional and modern interpretations.

Mabuhay Philippines Festival Gala and Fashion Show. 
The 2017 grand fashion event is being held in cooperation with the Philippine Department of Tourism featuring "Philippine Tapestry".  The event is a cultural fashion show tour featuring global fashions made from the indigenous weaves of Mindanao.  It is a celebration of the rich culture of Mindanao and the best in new-ethnic fashions by the Philippine Ambassador of Fashion, the world renowned Renee Salud.  The show has made its way through London, Berlin, Dubai and was featured during the Miss Universe run in the Philippines last January.   Up to 8 professional models and  pageant beauties from the Philippines as well as 3 Philippine-based cultural  troupes, such as Sindaw Performing Arts Guild, SinagTala Dance Company & Grupo Triballe will be featured in the show. VIP Tickets are $120 and includes the show and meal.  Fashion show SRO tickets are available for $40. Mabuhay Philippines Festival and Parade 2017. The 2- day annual festival  is free and open to the public and will feature all-day entertainment beginning at 12"00 noon. Filipino movie & TV actress Arci Munoz will join the street parade. Performers for Saturday include: the JDL School of Performing Arts, the Markham Federation of Filipino Canadians, Kindred Culture, The Muso Project, The Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe and more. Saturday night will also have a fashion show with designs by Renee Salud and Shannon Pamaong.
On Sunday, August 27th, the annual community parade will walk through the streets of downtown Toronto with the participation of various community organizations and civic associations throughout Canada.  The parade will also showcase participants wearing various native and ceremonial attires that highlight the many geographic & cultural regions of the Philippines.  On-stage performances on this day include:  The Dreamboats, After Hours, EZ Rock, Combat Science, Culture Philippines of Ontario and more.  For information on booths, sponsorship or to register your business and organizations' participation, email . Engagingly committed and led by Norma Carpio as president, PIDC is a non- profit  and socially & culturally - focused umbrella organization of more than 15  Filipino Canadian community associations in Ontario. The meaningful events are major components of several initiatives and projects of the 19 - year old volunteer run association. Tasked in planning, coordinating and managing the  2 events , with Norma Carpio & Minda Neri as advisers, are PIDC officers & directors :  Karen Pascual- Binaday, Randy Bucao, Verth Bugtong, Ben Corpuz, Paulina Corpuz, Gene Elamparo, Rory Elefano, Helen Lao , Susan Llanera, Aimee Maravilla, Cheryll Samson, Roy Start, Tom Tan, Nene Ticzon, Al Tupe & Jun Villaruz . 

Expected to participate in the events are the reigning PIDC 2017 beauties : Elizabeth Marie Mabb, Miss Philippines PIDC  and Jainna Lacorte, Little Miss Philippines PIDC and their respective courts. Likewise, the Miss Manila 2017 pageant winners such as Veronica David - Miss Manila 2017, Rachelle Escaba, 1st runner-up and Margaret Rodrigo, 2nd runner-up will also be  present in the festival and parade.

Community, provincial, professional, alumni, media ,social and sports organizations in Ontario and their officers, members, colleagues , families and friends are cordially invited to attend and participate at any one or all of the many interesting and challenging  activities, accordingly.  For further information, interested parties are requested to check : www.pidctoronto.com.( Tony A. San Juan)