ABSOLUTELY, THEY ARE COMING, ARE YOU ?
Richard & Rhian
It’s confirmed: one of the Philippines’ sexiest and most beautiful women –-Iza Calzado—is among the top entertainers at the forthcoming Mabuhay Festival.
The daughter of well-known choreographer Lito Calzado, Iza will showcase her versatile talent as she joins top-billed actors Richard Gutierrez and Rhian Ramos on the Mabuhay stage come July 18.
Iza Calzado
A popular TV and movie actor (who owes her Caucasian looks to her late Irish-Spanish Filipina mother), Ms. Calzado has consistently ranked very high in surveys conducted by Starmometer and FHM magazines, the Philippines’ leading pollsters of beauty and popularity.
Raymond Gutierrez, twin brother of Richard– is also coming to town, adding to the predictably pulsating finale of the Mabuhay Festival.
July 18 will be a kaleidoscope of colors and activity that starts solemnly with a Holy Mass at 8 a.m. This is followed by a performance of the tinikling, and song numbers by the famed Filipino operatic voice, Ms. Eleanor Calbes. Then, Philippine rock legend Pepe Smith and the Juan de la Cruz band will get your heart beat racing this early in the day. Why, even the smell from the food concessions will get your senses working! (By the way, you can take a leisurely stroll with your favourite Pinoy dish as you check out the trade show of the PIDC.)
Sorry…but there’s no time for a quick siesta in the afternoon; Pacific and Polynesian dances on stage will rev up your system once more. Talented Seniors won’t be taking their usual naps either. Winners of the Seniors’ karaoke singing contest will be performing while some will show the younger generation more traditional dances.
Three award-winning photographers will showcase their work at the festival. As you take your afternoon coffee (should you find chilling out at the kapihan too laid back for you), view the exciting photo exhibit dubbed ” Pilipinas – Images of a Country and its People” . The photo montage/collage highlights award- winning photos by Revoli Cortez and Edwin Bacasmas , a stylized showcase Filipino culture including personalities, places and events taken in various regions of the Philippines. The exhibitors guarantee that seeing the exhibit will make one proud of the Philippines and all the progress made in the past few years. And, if you happen to be around when the exhibitors are also snapping away, your relatives in the Philippines might just see your picture in an exhibit of photos taken of Filipinos in Toronto which be held at the Intramuros, Manila come November 2009.
Carlos Esguerra
New York-based Carlos Esguerra is an internationally-renowned photographer who has reaped more than 40 national and international awards, his works selected in numerous juried exhibitions in many states in the U.S. and in other countries Canada, Austria, France, Germany, and Sweden. Esguerra’s photos are noted for being simple, clean and uncluttered, suggesting Zen influences. In recognition of excellence in his craft and for carrying the good name of the Filipino, Esguerra was given the 2008 Pamana ng Pilipino Award by President Gloria M. Arroyo in Malacanang.
Back on stage, Mr. Ron Josol, one of the funniest men alive (certainly the most visible among Asian-Canadian comics), is guaranteed to make everyone laugh their hearts out. Also, catch a glimpse of PIDC Pageant beauties as they sashay and strut their stuff on stage.
As evening draws near, imagine yourself in a small town in the Philippines as the folks line the streets to wait for the most colorful religious procession in the month of May—the Santacruzan—pass the route. At once a catechetical device and a religious historical tableau, the Santacruzan evokes images of Spanish Philippines. In this particular procession, winners of the various PIDC pageants take on roles like that of the Reyna Elena (St. Helena, the queen-mother of the Emperor Constantine) whose quest for the cross where Jesus died is the basis of this street drama of sorts.
Josie
Just before the grand evening entertainment featuring GMA’s hottest stars begins at 8 p.m., the pride of the Filipino community in Toronto–Fiesta
Filipina Dance Troupe and Culture Philippines-Ontario—will once again perform Philippine folk and ethnic dances, world-class entertainment that have won for the dance troupes invitations to renowned international folk festivals. Studio 6 headlined by Josie de Leon will follow with “ Girl, Ikakasal ka nga ba?” musical.
Immediately after is the magic hour, the much awaited GMA Kapuso, Rhian Ramos, Richard Gutierrez and Iza Calzado will all be there to dazzle you! Let it be said that you were there and experienced it all!
Should you need a souvenir of Mabuhay Festival 2009, don’t forget to have your picture taken at a bahay-kubo laden with kiping, the colorful rice wafers of the world-famous Pahiyas festival of Lucban, Quezon Province. The festival honors San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers, in thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest. Traditionally, houses along the old streets of Lucban are artistically decorated with agricultural harvest, and of the very unique highlight of the festival, the “kiping”. Drop by the Mindanao Corner to have a feel of the exotic and the rich culture of the Philippine South.
Don’t forget: the Mabuhay Festival is your one-stop shop for pure fun, wholesome entertainment for the entire family and the barkada. Thousands more chairs—at least 20 of which are designed for persons with disability— had been added in anticipation of the huge turn out this year. And all throughout the day, experience life in front of a live TV camera as the creative crew of Minerva Studio goes about the routine of taping live shows. For the dance aficionados, join the line dancing for the public at the Baylehan or watch the Table Tennis Championship as players battle for the coveted trophy.
The Mabuhay Festival at the Metro Toronto Convention Center is definitely the place to be on July 18th. Be there and be part of the fiesta experience just like home!
TICKETS TICKETS TICKETS
Yellow Tickets – $15 – marked Pay at the Door means pay at the door. If you have paid someone else, you still pay at the door.
Green Tickets - $15 – 50 tickets given to groups and may be used for your own project fundraising. Deadline for remitting sold tickets is July 5, otherwise it will be treated as Pay at the Door.
Reserved Seating Tickets – $50.00, prepaid and very limited number. Send payment for your order and tickets will be mailed to you or you can pick up prior to event.
TICKET CONTACTS: – here is how to get them:
On the day of event, July 18th – tickets will be sold at the door including Reserved
seating if not sold out.
You must log in to post a comment.
{ 1 trackback }