PHILIPPINE CANADIAN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
The 5th anniversary celebration of the Philippine Canadian Charitable Foundation’s Pinoy Fiesta and Trade Show sa Toronto, one of the biggest indoor Filipino community events in Canada, held June 27, 2015 at the Metro-Toronto Convention Centre, was attended by thousands of people.This year, the beautiful and talented Kapuso artist HEART EVANGELISTA graced the stage with YouTube sensation, Pinoy Boy MIKEY BUSTOS, who put up a very enjoyable and funny performance. Other local artists included Martha Joy, the youngest Canadian Idol contestant to make it to the Top Ten Finals, and dynamic performer, soprano Lilac Cana.Also on hand to entertain the community were: the 35-year old Philippine Heritage Band (PHB), one of Canada's premier marching bands; the Culture Philippines of Ontario, whose mandate is to retain and share Filipino cultural heritage by providing music, dance and performing arts during community events; and the United Aklanon Association of Toronto’s Ati-Atihan Group, who showed traditional Ati-Atihan tribal dance and music with indigenous costumes and weapons, to honour El Senor Sto. Nino.To date, PCCF has donated over 2 Million Pesos, built houses for the poor through ANCOP, donated 7 dialysis machines, helped calamity victims of natural disasters like typhoons and earthquakes in the Philippines, and has donated to different organizations, both in Canada and the Philippines.Canadian government dignitaries like Minister of Finance Joe Oliver, Mayor John Tory, Senator Tobias Enverga, MP Mark Adler, Senator Ngo, amongst others, came to be a part of the Pinoy Fiesta. A congratulatory message from Prime Minister Stephen Harper was delivered to the event organizers. Philippine Ambassador to Canada, Petronila Garcia, and Toronto’s Consul General Rosalita Prospero were also in attendance in the festivities and delivered their messages to the Filipino community.A segment of the Pinoy Fiesta was the the much anticipated coronation of this year's Pageants with a Cause winners. Crowned were Little Miss Philippines Canada 2015 Angeli Desarie Lachica; Mrs. Philippines Canada 2015 Ning Talandato; Miss Teen Philippines Canada 2015 Ansha Joy Hipolito and Miss Philippines Canada 2015 Nathalie Ramos.The Miss Philippines, Miss Teen Philippines and Little Miss Philippines winners will get a FREE trip to the Philippines and the runners-up got cash prizes. All winners will get to participate in various community events across Ontario and the Philippines and the opportunity to help the poor through the PCCF and ANCOP projects.Guests came to the Pinoy Fiesta from as far Windsor, Ohio, Chicago, Montreal, New York, amongst other places. Dahlia from Richmond, Virginia, drove 12 hours to be at the Pinoy Fiesta ‘to watch Mikey Bustos perform and had a great time.’To show their appreciation for the support of the community in the past 5 years, PCCF offered Newcomers who have been in Canada less than 2 years, Seniors 65 years and above and Children under 10 years, to join the Fiesta FREE.The full-day of entertainment was with lots of other things to see and do, like shopping, Santacruzan, getting vendor free giveaways, tasting delicious Philippine cuisine, cheering at the Ping Pong Tournament, visiting the KIDS ZONE, and taking photos with the Caribbean Carnival Costumes.
Salamat! Thank you all & See you again next year!