For the first time, Cordilleran groups in Manitoba participated in the Morden Corn & Apple Festival 2019, one of the largest street festivals in Canada.
Clad with their indigenous native attire, the BIBAK Association of Manitoba Morden Chapter proudly showcased the culture of the region where they came from.
They performed their traditional dances and played the gongs showing their pride with their own cultural heritage in the street parade where at least 100,000 visitors came to visit the big event.
The group’s president Arman Mariano said they are truly delighted to be part of the occasion and hope that there will be a bigger number of participants for the next celebration in 2020.
“It was a great experience to be part of the 52nd Annual Morden’s Corn & Apple Festival. It was our first time joining this festival and this unites our Filipino community to be part in the parade. I thanked our officers and members of BIBAK Association of Manitoba for joining us here in Morden,” he added.
Another participant in the event is BIBAK Association of Manitoba President Virginia Gayot who is truly honored and grateful to be part of the festival.
“It was the first time of our association to be part of the parade. The beating and the sounds of the gongs with the cultural dances have added to the excitement of the festival. I want to expressed my appreciation to the BIBAK Association of Manitoba BIBAK Morden Chapter and different committees of Morden’s Filipino community for inviting us,” she said.
She added that through the activity, it showed that wherever they are, they are always united and proud in showcasing our culture and heritage.
Other groups of Filipinos living in Manitoba also joined the street parade and gave the best picture of the rich and unique Filipino culture by wearing their best Philippine outfits and apparels. Some proudly raised the Philippine flag.
The 3-day annual festival is a crowd drawing event which tourists and visitors always look forward to. It also pictures how united the Filipinos in Canada in demonstrating their culture which they continue to embrace and promote even if they are now living in another country.
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