The Manitoba Filipino Street Festival

Being Filipino is synonymous to many different words and 'coming together' is one of them. We come together for the simplest reasons or for the grandest ones. But for whatever reason, we always have fun; and we love coming together!

One such coming together is the birth of the "Manitoba Filipino Street Festival" in late spring of 2012. A group of likeminded men and women came together and envisioned a Filipino celebration of coming together in Manitoba.

We are created to relate with one another and meaningful relational growth can only occur in an environment where relationship is encouraged no matter where we are born in this beautiful earth; starting with our family, our barangay, our city, our province, our country!

The Manitoba Filipino Street Festival showcases the unique way the different regions in the Philippines celebrate their growth and achievements.

There are many different ways to measure an outcome, if one has achieved the intended result. No matter the endeavour, knowingly or unknowingly, growth occurs individually or corporately.

Now on its seventh (7th) year, the Manitoba Filipino Street Festival has grown in more ways than one. The executive committee evaluates each previous year and works harder to make the next year better. Since the first Street Festival in 2012, the injection of new blood with new ideas gave credence to the phrase "more brains are better than some." The pageant and program committees continued to bring together new volunteers whose skills and talents fit the requirement of these committees. The introduction of fresh blood freed the executive committee to attend to the other details and challenges that putting together a street festival brings, like inviting and convincing sponsors; inviting and encouraging organizations and associations; Securing permits; festival grounds layout; rentals; sound system; and more.

For two years in a row 2014 and 2015, the weather has tested our resolve and both times we overcame proving that the "Filipino spirit is waterproof." We celebrate the destination but we value more the journey to the destination. And the thunder storm was what it was, an interruption to what was already achieved: sharing our lives with others and having fun doing it, rain or shine.

In 2015 one challenge that stood out is the appeal to reconsider granting the MFSF permit to hold he parade at McPhillips Street from Inkster to Leila. Not wanting to go through the painful process again, the board decided to move to unfamiliar grounds. The 2016 festival moved downtown, in front of the Legislative Building.

Year after year our generous sponsors continue to support our community. The regional associations, organizations and volunteers do not disappoint! The success of any event is the sum total of all its parts.

After 2 years of parading and celebrating in Downtown Winnipeg, the Festival is moving to the Maples, the heart of the Filipino Community. It will be a 2 day celebration and we are calling it Samut Saring Saya… a Manitoba Filipino Gathering, Filipino for Concoction, Fun. The vast area of the multiplex, including a hockey arena and a community centre will be the venue of the biggest Filipino gathering and fiesta in Manitoba. Everyone is welcome.