Vol. XXX, No. 7 JULY 2012 http://www.filipinostar.org It's fiesta time for Filipinos in Montreal and suburbs. By W. G. Quiambao Mackenzie King park was chock-full of activities last July 15 during the FAMAS Pista sa Nayon, one of the much-anticipated events by many Filipinos in Montreal and suburbs. Friends seeing friends they haven’t seen for a while, music lovers listening to Filipino songs, women playing volleyball, kids enjoying pabitin (a rack of items is suspended over a crowd who attempt to grab at the stuff as the wooden rack is lowered and raised several times until everything is gone), revellers enjoying A few games of volleyball, arranged and managed by Mercy Sia Umipig and played by all-girl teams, was part of Pista sa Nayon (Photo: B. Sarmiento) a bounty of delicious foods - these are some of the activities during Pista sa Part of Ambassador Leslie B. bond of unity in a foreign setting." Nayon in the Philippines which are also Gatan's message read, "I wish to The tradition of the Pista sa practiced in Montreal every year. extend my heartfelt and warm Nayon dates back to centuries to the “Today, we celebrate the very congratulations to the Officers and rural areas and town in the Philippines. best of being Filipino," said Au Osdon, members of the Filipino Association of During Pista sa Nayon (called town FAMAS president. "The Bayanihan Montreal & Suburbs for their festival or fiesta), Filipinos would gather spirit is manifested by the support, sponsorship of the annual Pista sa for a fiesta in the middle of town to participation and involvement of so Nayon (town fiesta) with the main celebrate a good harvest. It would be many volunteers, associations, purpose of promoting Filipino cultural time for people to focus on their business enterprises, artists and heritage and identity. I commend your neighbours, family and friends, entertainers. We hope you will earnest efforts to further enhance noble solidifying the sense of community and experience the exceptional Filipino Filipino values such as family reunion hard work. Mourning Dolphy’s passing page 16 hospitality for which we are known for." which is one way of strengthening the Preparations for Pista sa Nayon in the Philippines, as well as in Montreal, take months and involves a lot of hard work. But the FAMAS Executive Board and many supporters and volunteers can take pride in their efforts to bring joy to many Filipinos during the July 15 festivities. Among the volunteers providing security and logistics were the San Lorenzo Ruiz Assembly (consisting of Knights of Mosaic of the logo of the City of Columbus 3 councils led by Peping Montreal at City Hall, 275 Notre Dame Tolentino) and Filipino-Canadian Chess Club of Montreal (handled by its president, Peter Tan), respectively. Of course, the members of the Filipino Nurses Association of Quebec were on hand to provide first aid in case of emergency. Part of the festivities’ success was due to the support of the CDN NDG Borough of the City of Benjamin Bade’s family name crest is displayed at the tent of the Abranian group during the Montreal and sponsors. Pista sa Nayon festival. From left: Magnolia Camat, Bang Barba, Zenaida Kharroubi, Dr. L’Armoiries de la ville de Montréal (coat Leticia Barba, Santiago Barba, member of the Provincial Board of Abra, Nolia Bade, Carltio See Page 4 Pista sa Nayon Bade, Jojie Perez, Mariano Barba, Benjamin Bade, and Jake Mendiola. of arms) See story on page 3 www.filipinostar.org 2 The North American Filipino Star jULY 2012 All aboard! VIA Rail Canada and the Institute for Editorial Canadian Citizenship collaborate to help Canada's newest citizens explore our country Celebrating festivals is an interesting part of TORONTO, July 3, 2012 /CNW attractions. With services from Philippine cultural tradition Telbec/ - VIA Rail Canada and the Vancouver to Halifax, VIA Rail connects Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) some 450 communities across the have collaborated to provide new country, giving CAP members plenty of The annual “Pista sa Nayon” exhibits, trade fair, cultural dances, and Canadian citizens, who are members travel experiences to choose from. should be recognized as one of the sport events. Feel rich when you go for of the ICC's Cultural Access Pass CAP members are an engaged best ways to foster community spirit a visit at Paracale Gold Mines, and be (CAP) program, with a one-time, audience, interested in exploring their and the opportunity to focus on the familiar with some Bicol heroes like exclusive travel offer: a 50 per cent new home from coast-to-coast. In a positive aspects of our Filipino cultural Vinzon and Panganiban and Lucban. discount on the lowest available fare, recent ICC survey, 80 per cent heritage. Not only do we enjoy the fine any class, one way or round trip, no expressed a desire to travel within weather during this time of the year but 3. PARADA NG LECHON blackout periods, for CAP members Canada over the next year, listing their also the good food that we share with Balayan, Batangas and up to four of their children under top Canadian travel destinations as friends and strangers alike. The 24 June the age of 18. Atlantic Canada, Vancouver, the Rocky hospitality of the Filipino people is A different sight and flavor are The Cultural Access Pass Mountains, Montréal and Ottawa. certainly evident in every tent installed introduced in June with a festival in program fosters inclusion, introducing "Our relationship with VIA Rail in the park. Balayan, Batangas, commonly known our country's newest citizens to is a dream come true to someone like Holding fiestas or festivals is as the "Parada Ng Lechon". These Canadian culture and experiences by me who was once a new Canadian typically part of Philippine culture that luscious roasted pork form the providing them (and their children) a wishing to discover a new country," we have managed to carry on highlight of the occasion, decorated year of free access to more than 1,000 said The Right Honourable Adrienne wherever we settle down. In Montreal, out in their platforms with all kinds of Canadian attractions from museums Clarkson, Institute for Canadian we have two big celebrations during décor. Since the festival corresponds and historic sites to national and Citizenship's Co-Founder and Co- the month of June and July - the with the feast of St. John the Baptist, provincial parks (even offering access Chair. "The opportunity it presents for Philippine Independence Day and the be prepared to get wet as people to volunteer and employment our Cultural Access Pass members is “Pista sa Nayon.” This year, we have observe the feast by repeating the resources). With an average of almost truly wonderful." been blessed with a nice weather on ritual of baptism - pouring water. 100 registrations per day, more than Gillian Hewitt Smith, the ICC's both occasions. Hence, the two 50,000 new citizens have become Executive Director & CEO adds: "Now, festivals were very well attended, 4. TACLOBAN PINTADOS FESTIVAL Cultural Access Pass members. not only are we able to open doors to A review of Philippine festivals Tacloban City "We are thrilled to join the cultural attractions and parks, we can offers an interesting array of cultural 29 June Institute for Canadian Citizenship to also provide new citizens with a traditiions in every town in different Back during pre-Hispanic bring train travel to our newest fellow wonderful way to travel. CAP is only times of the whole year. Most Filipino years, tattoos denoted courage among Canadians," said VIA Rail President possible because of organizations like Canadians remember the fiestas they the natives of Tacloban. These days and CEO, Marc Laliberté. "Travelling by VIA Rail Canada who work to used to enjoy back home. It is no they symbolize a cultural revival, and a train is a truly unique experience, one meaningfully include new citizens in wonder that the Pista sa Nayon evokes wild, wild fiesta called the Pintados. that connects travellers with Canada's Canadian life." the nostalgia of those days gone by. Join the town residents as they historical, cultural and natural beauty. CAP's ability to welcome and To illustrate the richness and decorate themselves out in body paint, We look forward to welcoming many engage new citizens was recognized variety of town festivals, we list some of imitating the warriors of old while new Canadian citizens on board as by the Honourable Jason Kenney, the festivals held in the month of June dancing to the frantic beat of drums. they discover all of the wonderful Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and July. This is just a partial list for experiences this country has to offer." and Multiculturalism as well as the there are just too many fiestas in every 5. SANDUGO FESTIVAL VIA Rail's significant travel offer Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister town and province. Tagbilaran City 1-2 July complements the Cultural Access of State (Transport); both announced Pass's ability to engage new Canadian this exciting offer during Canada Day 1. MUDPACK FESTIVAL The Spanish colonization of citizens with their country by celebrations in Canada's Capital Murcia, Negros Occidental the Philippines began with a blood- discovering many of its remarkable Region and Vancouver. 24 June sealed peace treaty on the shores of Oneness with nature is the Bohol. This historic event is considered underlying theme behind Murcia's today with an all-out fiesta at the annual mud-moving spectacle. Check island's capital city. Check out the on its cloudy highlight - a lively street Sandugo street dancing parade dancing parade with the participant featuring ten colorfully-dressed groups wearing nothing but mudpacks (well, dancing to the beat of drums.