Surrey’s Fiesta Extravaganza has earned the support of no less than the city’s top executive, Mayor Brenda Locke.
In a meeting on June 23, 2023, Locke told organizers that she is backing the two-day celebration of Filipino culture and heritage happening right at the Surrey Civic Plaza next to city hall on July 22 to July 23.
Locke indicated that city hall will soon be switching on its night lights to beam the pastel colours of Fiesta Extravaganza.
The Surrey mayor will also sign and read a proclamation on July 10 in council chambers to formally endorse the event.
Locke is serving her first term as mayor of Surrey following her victory in the civic election of October 15, 2022.
Before becoming mayor, Locke was a city councillor and Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.
Together with Locke was Harry Kooner, who assists the mayor with engaging the diverse communities of Surrey.
Fiesta Extravaganza organizers were introduced to Mayor Locke by Mable Elmore, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Vancouver-Kensington.
The July 22-23 event in Surrey is part of the nationwide celebration of Fiesta Extravaganza.
Media enterpreneur and Philippine Asian News Today publisher Rey Fortaleza previously secured the rights to stage the event for the first in B.C. this year.
Fortaleza is also the vice president of the Filipino Canadian Cultural Heritage Society, a partner in the presentation of Fiesta Extravaganza in Surrey.
Joining Fortaleza at the June 23 meeting with Mayor Locke at city hall were FCCHS president Primrosa Roine; vice president Roldan Robles; treasurer Joy Sapiera; sergeant-at-arms Marie Holgado; auditor Nellie Soque; directors Araceli Fortaleza and Jojo Alpuerto. Volunteer JeChrist Dayondon was also present.
With MLA Elmore at the meeting was her constituency assistant Carlito Pablo.
Fiesta Extravaganza will feature entertainment and food and loads of Filipino cultural activities.
Yam Concepcion, one of the most recognized faces in the Philippine entertainment industry, tops the bill of talents who will provide star power for the Fiesta Extravaganza event.
Fiesta Extravaganza enjoys the support of two presentors or major sponsors.
These are BMO, one of the biggest banks in North America, and Vancouver-Oasis Production Corp., a company dedicated to empowering artists, particularly Asian performers, to shine on the world’s biggest platforms.
Online, BMO says it is the eighth largest bank in North America by assets.
The bank serves 13 million customers globally, with eight million personal and commercial customers in Canada.
Meanwhile, Vancouver-Oasis Production Corp. is known for bringing world-renowned Asian artists in the heart of Vancouver, for unforgettable nights of music and culture.
The BMO and Vancouver-Oasis Production Corp. sponsorship is a vote of confidence for 2023 Fiesta Extravaganza.
Also supporting the 2023 Fiesta Extravaganza are Philippine Airlines (PAL), the flag carrier of the Philippines and the oldest airline in Asia, and 88 Supermarket, home to one of the largest selections of ethnic foods in Greater Vancouver.
Fortaleza previously secured the Fiesta Extravaganza franchise for Western Canada from event organizer Von Canton of Ontario.
International and local talents have lined up to provide entertainment at the 2023 Fiesta Extravaganza.
In addition to musical and dance presentations, Fiesta Extravaganza will also feature fun-filled Filipino games, pop-up markets for various merchandise items, and food stalls and trucks.
“We are preparing a program featuring a glittering array of talents from outside and inside Canada to entertain our guests,” Fortaleza said.
Fortaleza said that the full line-up will be announced closer to the July 22 and July 23 event.
“Visitors are going to have a blast with our mini-concerts and shows,” Fortaleza said.
In addition, exhibitors and merchandisers are quickly filling up spots at the event.
“We are receiving a lot of reservations and we are happy to accommodate everyone,” Fortaleza said.
Fiesta Extravaganza is being delivered for the first time in Western Canada.
Fiesta Extravaganza seeks 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.
For 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) and Jojo Alpuerto (604-616-1953).