Inaugural festival of Filipino culture in Steinbach a success

June 13 marked the first of what promises to be many annual celebrations of Filipino culture in Steinbach and across southeast Manitoba as the highly anticipated Filipino Heritage Celebration brought the Pat Porter Active Living Centre to life.

Organizer Angelica San Juan estimates more than 250 people attended the gala event, and happily related her crew of volunteers had to break out extra chairs and tables to accommodate all the guests that came out to enjoy the evening.

“Honestly I was so busy, I am not sure of the exact number!” she said. “The Filipino community in Steinbach is growing so quickly. This event was a bit of a trial balloon to see just how strong the sense of community really is here.”

Certainly, the strength of the Filipino community in the region was on display starting right at the entrance to the hall where members of The Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals helped with admission and tickets for the popular 50/50 draw.

Manning the door were brotherhood members, Ken Mayo and Benson Oriel who came to Manitoba in 2016.

“There is a ‘nice town feel’ to Steinbach that is very attractive,” said Mayo in-between tearing off 50/50 tickets. “When I got off the plane it was minus 45 degrees (C) outside and I almost got right back on and flew the 18 hours back. But I’m glad I toughed it out. We love Manitoba.”

Oriel and his wife came over to support their daughter who came to Manitoba to study nursing. She has since graduated and is working at the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg.

“They practically begged her to stay when she finished school, and she could just not say ‘No’ to such an offer. We love making our home here,” said Oriel.

Steinbach Mayor Earl Funk gave opening remarks for the event, stating, “We think of you (the Filipino community) as Mennonites from another country. Faith, family and food are what’s important to us. We want you to continue to come, and to continue to be you.”

Food and family were also definitely on display during the celebration as Filipino delicacies such as Sisig Rice with pork and Pancit Bihon noodles with chicken were served. Performers were fed first to ensure they gave heartfelt performances.

Maryln Martinez of the YZZA Band was impressed.

“So much love goes into these meals. It tastes just like home,” while nodding to Princess Joy San Juan, sister-in-law to organizer Angelica. Princess Joy began meal preparations early the day before with over a hundred pounds of meat going into the preparation of the dishes.

Performances by YZZA, The Sississwit Band, and the very popular Father/Son and Friend with their nostalgic renditions of Anglo classics ranging from Sinatra to Kansas were crowd pleasers. Passionate renditions of both the Canadian and Filipino national anthems were given by the remarkable nine-year-old Mika Empalmado that left the audience in awe. The stunning moves of dancers from the BIMAAK Igorot Tribe also were enthusiastically received.

Angelica San Juan said she was pleased with the reaction from guests.

“We’ve received lots of good feedback from the audience and the businesses about the production value of tonight so I am happy about that,” she said. “The community is very open to supporting it again in the future, even asking when the next one is so they can add it in their annual planning.”

“We do hope to continue collaborating with our organizations in the future,” she added. “Filipino Heritage Month celebration in the Southeast might take a different form depending on the community’s response, but all we know and hope for now is that we can do it again next year.”

Preparations to make southeast celebrations on par with those in Winnipeg and Brandon are already under way.