The ultimate experience of Filipino culture and heritage is happening in Surrey this summer.
Called Fiesta Extravaganza, the star-studded celebration on July 22 and July 23 at the Surrey Civic Plaza beside city hall features concerts, cultural presentations, and fun-filled Filipino games.
Already, several performing groups are lining up to showcase their talents at the two-day event.
One of these is the 12B Session Street Band based in Lethbridge, Alberta.
The band relates its origins on its social media page: “Before we formed into ‘12B SESSION STREET BAND’, we are into a group of Band performing here in Lethbrigde TJ Clamosa, Ryan Aribado Tolentino, Jan Olfindo, Hendrik Garcia, Divine Healy and Kris Veracruz are part of the group LOW CARB Band, while Shine Ventura Landayan-Blanco, Joel Joseph Serapio Blanco Pagdanganan Ojie and Renzel Mark Estrellado are part of the group JAM NUTS.”
“We met Joseph Roque and John Karl Raposas they do technical rider, sound technical, sound system operator and also a band member,” the band recalls.
“When people asked why “12B Session Street Band”? It’s simply because, we do our jam, practice, coffee break, food trip in a garage by the 12B street somewhere in Lethbrigde.”
Fiesta Extravaganza is being delivered in Western Canada for the first time by media and entertainment entrepreneur Rey Fortaleza.
Fortaleza earlier entered into an agreement with Fiesta Extravaganza founder Von Canton of Ontario.
For the Surrey celebration on July 22 and July 23, Fortaleza has partnered with the Filipino Canadian Cultural Heritage Society led by Primarosa “Tita Prima” Roine.
Fiesta Extravaganza seeks to to raise multicultural awareness and appreciation of the Filipino culture and share them with other nationalities.
In 2022, the event made history in the summer festivals in Toronto, Vaughan, Niagara, Hamilton, and Montreal.
The current year 2023, Fiesta Extravaganza is expanding to Surrey and Miramichi.
For bands and other performing groups, contact Rey Fortaleza (reyfort@gmail.com and/or 778-895-6667), Jojo Alpuerto (604-616-1953).
