The Philippine Summer Festival unfolds at the PNE Forum this weekend. The event that launched last year at the Richmond Olympic oval grounds was the largest Filipino event in B.C.’s history. This year they hope to top that as crowds from all over the north west are expected to attend.
There are more than 120,000 Filipino Canadians in BC and 96,000 or so are scattered all over the Metro Vancouver area. Close to 15,000 of them are expected to attend the Philippine Summer Festival this weekend.
The biggest highlight of this year’s event program line-up is the visit of GMA “Kapuso” stars gracing the event and providing the main entertainment- led by multi-awarded movie actor/performer and film director, CESAR MONTANO, best known for his dynamic, award-winning portrayal of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal in the movie “Jose Rizal”. The film has become legendary and unprecedented as it portrays Philippine society during the Spanish colonization of the Philippines and its relevance up to the present day.
Unknown to many, Montano, also known by his nickname Buboy, is also a singer and has embarked on a music career with the release of his album ”Subok lang” in the year 2000. He has also ventured into film production, as well as directing, with “Panaghoy sa Suba” as his directorial film debut. He has won numerous acting awards, such as Hollywood’s The Great Raid, Panaghoy sa Suba, José Rizal, Muro Ami and Bagong Buwan.
Also joining Montano at the festival is ASAP champion, and two-time platinum singing sensation RACHELLE ANN GO, a former Viva talent, who is now a cast member of Party Pilipinas of the “Kapuso” Channel. She started her television debut with Eat Bulaga! She released a number of platinum and gold recordings for Viva before her homecoming to the GMA Network, her home studio.
As more entertainers fill the two-day festival show directed by seasoned director Robert J. Tongko, sponsors and stall holders keep signing up to make the event a worthy Summer spectacle for the Filipino Canadian community. Big raffle prizes are also at stake during the celebration, which is expected to overshadow the attendance of last year’s Richmond oval event, since PNE is at the heart of the biggest concentration of Filipinos in the lower mainland.
What: Vancouver Philippine Festival 2011
Where: PNE Forum
Dates: July 23 – 24th, 2011
Time: 10am – 8pm both days
Admission: $5
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