In observance of the 117th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence and mark the enduring friendship between the Philippines and Canada, the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver wishes to announce the holding of 16 major community events this coming June 2015 to coincide with these commemorations.
The celebrations will commence with an opening reception of the painting exhibition of the Dimasalang Artists III group on June 4 at the Surrey Arts Centre. This will be followed by two events on June 6, namely, the Pista ng Bayan Community Picnic at Slocan Park, and the Annual Philippine Independence Day Celebration in Surrey at the Peace Arch Park. The Independence Day parade and celebrations in New Westminster will be held on June 7. The 2015 Philippine Days Festival will be celebrated on June 13-14 at the Waterfront Park in North Vancouver while the annual Pagdiriwang sa Richmond is scheduled on June 20 at the Lansdowne Centre.
A flag-raising ceremony will be held at the Vancouver City Hall on June 11 while other flag-raising events will be conducted in New Westminster’s Friendship Garden on June 7, North Vancouver Waterfront Park on June 13, and the Richmond City Hall on June 20.
As in the previous years, the mayors and local officials of Vancouver, New Westminster, Richmond and North Vancouver are expected to be in attendance to preside over the hoisting of the Philippine flag and the singing of the Philippine national anthem in their respective cities.
There will also be a number of dinner-dance events to celebrate Philippine Independence: the Independence Day Dinner and Dance in Victoria on June 12; the Filcom Independence Day Gala Night at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Vancouver on June 13; the Circulo Cagayanos Dinner Dance in Burnaby on June 13; and the FABC Independence Day Gala Dinner at the Holiday Inn in Vancouver on June 13.
The New West Philippine Festival Society will hold the New West Multicultural Festival at the Westminster Pier Park on July 1 to coincide with Canada Day.
Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer said the Consulate is honored to be part of the festivities, which are organized by various Filipino-Canadian community organizations in Metro Vancouver.
“The annual Independence Day celebrations provide the perfect opportunity for the Filipino-Canadian community to meet, get together and celebrate the Filipino way. These festivities are wonderful venues to foster camaraderie and strengthen the bonds of friendship between the Philippines and Canada. We are grateful to the various community organizations for their abiding trust and continuing cooperation,” Consul General Ferrer said.
“I invite everyone—Filipinos and non-Filipinos alike—to join us in celebrating this June the 117th Anniversary of Philippine Independence and the friendship between the Philippines and Canada,” he added.
