05 September 2016 – The ASEAN Consulates General in Vancouver (ACGV), namely, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam successful held the 2016 ASEAN Festival in Vancouver at the Roundhouse Community Centre, Vancouver on August 27. 

The festival is part of a series of ASEAN-related events aimed at promoting ASEAN awareness within the multicultural community in Vancouver and the rest of British Columbia by showcasing the best of Southeast Asia through cultural performances, cuisines, and arts and crafts.  The festival is currently on its second year.

Acting Mayor of Vancouver, Mr. Raymond Louie, together with Mr. Marc Dalton of the Maple Ridge-Mission, represented the local and provincial government during the event. Both BC officials commended the ACGV for holding the festival to foster appreciation of the diverse ASEAN cultures.

All five member-countries presented their respective cultural performances. The Philippine Cultural Arts Society of British Columbia represented the Philippines with their well-applauded performance of the Binasuan and Tinikling dances.  Ms. Jessica Sotana and Mr. Angelino de Guzman serenaded the crowd with Filipino love songs. Grandt Kitchen and Symphonie Restaurant prepared sumptuous Filipino dishes for the guests and visitors.

One of the highlights of the festival was a joint fashion parade showcasing the various traditional costumes of the five ASEAN countries.  Filipino-Canadian beauty titleholders, Ms. Anne Longakit, Ms. Teen Canada Surrey, and Ms. Shawna Warhurst, Ms. Teen Canada Maple Ridge joined personnel of the Philippine Consulate General in modelling the original Filipiniana creations of Filipino designers, Ditta Sandico and Jaki Peñalosa.  The fashion show also showcased different versions of the traditional Barong Tagalog.. END