22 July 2014 – The Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver participated in the 7th Annual Canada Day Parade on July 01 as part of this year’s activities to celebrate Canada’s 148th Anniversary. The parade, which began at 7pm at the corner of Georgia and Broughton Streets, featured more than fifty contingents coming from various Canadian organizations and cultural groups in their colorful costumes to the delight of more than 300,000 spectators who lined up the streets along the route of the parade.
The Philippine contingent was composed of various Filipino community organizations proudly donning their Filipiniana attire. As in the previous celebrations, the Ati-Atihan and the Aklanon groups provided lively band music while Igorot dancers belonging to the BIBAK organization performed their traditional dance. Philippine Consul General to Vancouver Neil Frank Ferrer led personnel of the Philippine Consulate General and their families during the parade to display their solidarity with the Canadian people and the Filipino community in celebrating Canada’s biggest event.
Every year, thousands of people participate in Vancouver's Canada Day celebrations which bring together Canadians including visitors in celebrating national pride and living in a free, democratic, bilingual and multicultural society. This year also marks the 50th celebration of the Canadian maple-leaf national flag. With more than 120,000 Filipinos living in Vancouver alone, the Canada Day celebration has been an annual occasion for Filipinos to display their gratitude to their new home.
The day-long festivity at the Canada Place featured live music and dance performances, and fun activities for the whole family. A 20-minute fireworks show launched from two barges near the Waterfront was viewed by an estimated 450,000 people. END