19 August 2014 – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto led by Consul General Junever M. Mahilum-West took part in the first ever Halo Halo Festival held on August 17 at the Artscape Wychwood Barns in downtown Toronto.
The event was organized by H2O Halo Halo Organization with the support of Ward 21 Councillor Joe Mihevc and in partnership with the Consulate General, and showcased the diverse culture of the Philippines through music, games, art and cuisine. As the name of the event suggested, the focus was on the scrumptious Filipino dessert, the halo halo, which the packed crowd eagerly lined up to sample.
The Consulate General put up its own booth within Wychwood Barns manned by Vice Consul Bolivar L. Bao and his team, complete with a reading nook stocked with unique Filipiniana material and a display of a painting by Maestro Romy Mananquil depicting the Banaue Rice Terraces that served as backdrop to Consulate’s corner.
Aside from tourism promotion for the upcoming 2nd Winter Escapade Tour, the Consulate General team also offered on-the-spot overseas voters registration to Filipino citizens, and availed of by 18 people who were in attendance at the festival, including Maestro Mananquil. The booth likewise served as an information kiosk for kababayans and foreigners who were interested in the services offered by the Consulate.
Notable guests include Senator Tobias Enverga, Jr. and Mrs. Rosemer Enverga, Barrie MP Patrick Brown, York Centre MP Mark Adler, Councillor Mihevc and Toronto mayoral. hopefuls John Tory and Olivia Chow.
Senator Enverga and Consul General Mahilum-West officiated the ribbon cutting ceremony, while Mr. Adler participated in the tinikling dancing and Ms Chow joined Maestro Romy and the Consul General for a plein aire sketching session of the Philippine Artists’ Group (PAG), with Councillor Mihevc graciously posing for a portrait as part of the day’s festivities.
The organizers declared the festival a rousing success and promised a bigger installment in the future. END