With the leadership of the newly formed United Filipino Canadian Associations in B.C., members of the community held a well attended celebration of Philippine Independence Day at Vancouver’s Slocan Park. The 117th Independence Day festivity was held last June 6.
Also popularly known as Pista ng Bayan, the event lived up to its traditional Parada ng Lechon, with 20 lechon or roast whole pigs donated for the occassion. UFCABC president Joel Castillo was very thanful for all those who made the celebration a huge success. At least 78 tents from different organization and businesses were set up at Slocan Park during the June 6 celebration.
The Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver attended the event in full force, constituting a big delegation during the celebration. To cap the celebration this year of Philippine Independence Day, a gala and dinner will be held on June 13 with at least 450 guests expected.
The gala and dinner will be held at the Pan Pacific Vancouver Hotel. It is also being organized by the UFCABC. The first Pista ng Bayan was organized in 2007 and headed by the former Deputy Consul General in Vancouver, Raul Hernandez. It was continued and fully supported by the succeeding consul generals, and in 2010 during the time of Consul General Jose Ampeso together with Deputy Consul General Anthony Mandap, the EXECOM was formed and continued by Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer.
After one year, the consulate decided to pass the leadership to the community where the consulate called an assembly to form the umbrella organization in the name of United Filipino Canadian Associations in B.C.