Pinoy Breakfast Brings Together Filipinos, Canadians at Calgary Stampede Festival

Consul General in Calgary Gilberto G.B. Asuque and Alberta Premier Rachel Notley serve Filipino longganisa and pandesal, scrambled eggs and fried rice during the “Agahan” Filipino Stampede Breakfast at the Pacific Hut Restaurant and Bakeshop in Southeast Calgary on 09 July 2018. (Calgary PCG photo)

CALGARY 11 July 2018 – A traditional Filipino breakfast of longganisa (Filipino-style sausage), pandesal (Filipino bread roll), scrambled eggs, and fried rice with hot coffee brought together Filipinos and Canadians on a Sunday morning of 08 July 2018, during the ten-day celebration of the world-famous Calgary Stampede festival.

Called “Agahan” Filipino Stampede Breakfast, the event was held at the parking lot of Filipino restaurant Pacific Hut Restaurant in Southeast Calgary.

Now on its third year, the “Agahan” (Filipino word for breakfast) attracted about 5,500 people who came to taste Filipino food, which stood out amidst the more common pancakes served in other parts of the city.

Local Filipino bands, singers, and dancers also provided the entertainment during the event that lasted from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.

No less than Alberta Premier Rachel Notley and Philippine Consul General in Calgary Gilberto G.B. Asuque led the many federal, provincial, and city government officials who came to the “Agahan” to celebrate with the Filipinos and Canadians the city’s community spirit during the Calgary Stampede. 

Premier Notley, accompanied by members of her party Caucus including Deputy Premier Sarah Hoffman, addressed the Filipinos and other attendees of the event, highlighting the proclamation signed on 01 June 2018 that declares June of each year as Philippine Heritage Month in Alberta.

The Premier reiterated the appreciation of the government of Alberta to the contributions of Filipino-Canadians to the economic, social, and cultural richness of the province.

The “Agahan” was organized by the Philippine Fiesta Council of Alberta (PFCA) and the Pacific Hut Restaurant (owned by Filipino couple Ron and Tess Ala), together with various sponsors. PFCA also leads the celebration of the Fiesta Filipino in Calgary every September.

Consul General Asuque thanked the organizers of the “Agahan” and the crowd who came to the event, for making Filipino culture blend with the celebration of the Calgary Stampede.

The Consul General also expressed gratitude to the Government of Alberta, led by Premier Notley, for recently signing the proclamation declaring June of each year as Philippine Heritage Month across the province.

The Consul General also challenged the Filipino organizations and their leaders to work together in organizing the month-long program to celebrate Philippine Heritage Month all over Alberta next year. END

The parking lot of Filipino-owned Pacific Hut Restaurant was transformed into a big breakfast area serving the citizens of Calgary with Filipino foods during the annual Calgary Stampede, taking place on 06 to 15 July 2018, as an annual rodeo, exhibition and festival held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada in celebration of the city’s western heritage and culture. It attracts over one million visitors per year and features one of the world's largest rodeos, a parade, stage shows, concerts, agricultural  competitions, chuckwagon racing, and First Nations exhibitions. Various events and free breakfasts are held across the city during this time. (Calgary PCG photo)

Consul General and Madame Gilberto Asuque, Deputy Consul General Zaldy Patron, Consul Pamela Durian-Bailon and the staff of Consulate General show their solidarity with the organizers and attendees of the “Agahan” Filipino Stampede. (Calgary PCG photo)

For more information, visit www.calgarypcg.dfa.gov.ph.