The Philippine independence Day Council Picnic Committee of the annual Salu-Salo Sa (get together picnic at) Earl Bales, June 18th this year, are frantically gearing up to deliver another exciting Community Picnic, billed as the biggest community gathering of Fil-Canadians in Canada. Earl Bales is located by the Bathurst, South of Sheppard in North York.
The gathering gets larger every year, 3,000 upwards, proof that the Picnic meets a need of the ever growing population of Canadians with Filipino roots , for a place of their own for the day , to express and to experience their oneness as well as their uniqueness, as the name of the event “Salu-Salo”(diversity to unity) implies. For in every Filipino heart lies a longing to go back even for just a day, to the place they once called home. Home is made up of thousands of islands that brought about the diversity. And yet on this day their hearts beat as one. To the music, to the dance, to the laughter and the feel-good joy that permeates this day. You are at home at the Salu-Salo. Are you coming home?
What makes the Salu-Salo inviting and exciting? Here goes.
The Independence Day Volleyball Cup Tournament
The Mabuhay Cup is the perennial favourite among attendees to provide a super-energized excitement in this heart-stopping game of strategy, cunning and sheer doggedness to capture the elusive trophy. The day starts with a dozen or so energized teams, their star players flaunting their uberhuman agility to defy gravity, to jump set and in volleyball lingo, to set up the classic-three hit and kill to score. Adrenaline overflows in the courts on this day. Who gets more excited? The fans and team cheerleaders on the sidelines are more worn-out at the end of the day than the players themselves. Rumour has it that one particular team as part of their game plan, sort of “distract and conquer” strategy will deploy cheerleaders and players so attired they will make the Blue Jays cheerleaders look very Disneyish. I don’t know for sure if this will work? So teams register today and secure your place in immortality, in the Mabuhay Cup Hall of Fame!
NOTE: The number of teams competing for the championship cup is limited to 12, so register now to prevent disappointment.
Registration fee is only $35 per team
Dr Jose Rizal Birthday Celebration
What is more fitting to do this day than to give honour to the national hero who gave up his life for the country so that we have the very reason to celebrate this day at the Salu-Salo: Independence Day. It is Dr Rizal’s 150th birth anniversary. The Philippines celebrates its 113th anniversary of freedom.
Gastronomic Fireworks & Community Fiesta
What’s a salu-salo without the tummy-boggling gastronomic recipes, home-cooked and brought in fresh, potluck style from the thousand islands of the Philippines? Almost always a Fil-Canadian gathering centres on nap-inducing hearty lunch. Look at it as one big family lunch mixed with tall tales of long ago, a sprinkle of “chicahan”, generous topping of laughter and the famous Philippine sweets for dessert. Isn’t that a sure-fire recipe for a life-time memory of fun and joy? Come, come. We have space enough for everybody.
Please contact Verth Bugtong to register your organization and participate in the planned activities!
Talents at Centre Stage
After lunch or a quick nap maybe, all eyes focus on the centre stage to watch awesome home-grown Fil-Canadian talents: from promising young artists to our our grands who still have that mojo to hustle it on stage. By the way bring your vidcams as this may be your shot at fame to post another Fil-Can YouTube sensation eh?
Contact our program director if you wish to perform and show the community what you’ve got!
Sponsorship and Vendors Wanted!
Reach a captive market for a day and leave lasting brand recognition.
Do you want to reach a sizzling hot market in the 3rd largest ethnic group in Canada? Build your niche presence in the exponentially growing community, (note that the Philippines is now the top source of immigrants in Canada, Globe and Mail, March 18, 2011) and dramatically increase your volume and ROI. Estimated attendance this year is 3,000-4,000.
Reserve your space or a covered booth (10’x10’ tent provided with a table) now. Booth space is limited, so please act fast or it’s gone. We only have 12 covered booth available. Please contact us to reserve your booth or spot. For more info – click here.
CONTACT THE PICNIC ORGANIZERS!
Sponsorship, Vendors and Exhibitors
Imie Belanger 647-281-5528 imiebelanger@yahoo.ca
Pete Mauricio 905-301-8408 petemauricio@gmail.com
Cesar Manebo (647-829-9187
Programming and Performers
Gene Elamparo 416-284-3547 gene.elamparo@rbc.com
Independence Day Volleyball Tournament
Vilma Tahsin 416-697-7201 vmt_28@yahoo.ca
Josh Santos 647-990-1925 joselitosantos1925@yahoo.com
Community Participation and Parade
Verth Bugtong 416-834-0801 verthpbugtong@gmail.com
