Philippine Independence Day Celebration in Cornwall

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Members of the Filipino community gathered to share and celebrate their culture as they commemorated Philippine Independence Day at Lamoureux Park on Saturday.

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Traditionally celebrated on June 12 each year, the event marks over 200 years since the country gained independence from Spain.

This was the event’s second year, and organizer Maureen Poulin said not only was it bigger this year, but it also included a greater focus on education on Philippine history and culture.

“This year we aimed to showcase our history, culture and traditions through our information booths and also by highlighting them in our program. We had many folk dance performances from Alexandria and Cornwall dance troupes and really amazing numbers from Filipino singers from the Cornwall, Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto areas,” she said.

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Katrina Dy participated in the Philippine Independence Day event last year and returned this year as one of the many volunteers.

“Everyone is coming together to make this event possible and it’s a chance for us to share our culture, history and being an immigrant. It’s funny, it makes me even more proud to be Filipino now that I don’t live in my homeland. It reconnects me to my culture, to my roots,” said Dy.

Dy said such events helped make members of the Filipino community feel welcome in Cornwall and reminded them of their ties to their ancestral home. She said that when she came to the event last year, she was surprised and impressed by the number of Filipinos in the Cornwall area.

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“There is a growing Filipino community here in Cornwall, so to be able to celebrate this national holiday with Filipinos in town is really very special,” she said.

Poulin said the event helped showcase and promote diversity in Cornwall.

“Celebrating and showcasing Filipino culture within the community is vital to promoting diversity, inclusion and cultural awareness,” she said. “It builds stronger community bonds by encouraging participation and connection. I met a lot of people and made new friends by volunteering for this festival.”

The event featured Filipino cultural dances in a variety of styles, including itik-itik, tinikling, wasiwas, ragagsakan, bulaklakan and an interpretive dance.

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There was also live music in the form of Sigma Soundtrip and Beautiful Sabotage and singers Mic Lomocso, Jhun Leonardo, Edeta Versoza, Natasha Ayote, Roselo Serviness and Jhaycie Gatdula.

A particularly popular attraction and source of fond nostalgia for members of the Filipino community was the Sari Sari kiosk.

Sari Sari kiosks are common sights on the streets of communities in the Philippines. More than just a kiosk selling general goods, candies and juices, it has become a beloved part of Filipino culture.

“It’s like a Filipino convenience store. She’s very, very Filipino, so she’s worth checking out,” said Dy.

Poulin said they are already making plans for next year’s Philippine Independence Day event.

The federal government has declared June as Philippine Heritage Month.

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