In truth, I am not into attending mushy Filipino events and that kind of stuff. Not that they do not do it well. But since I moved to another country, I just didn’t want to be constantly reminded that I left and now just trying hard to keep the connection. It hurts a bit.
It is also not that I have not attended or graced any in my eleven years in Canada. On countless smaller scales, I get invited to home parties or get-togethers. Here in Canada, whether or not you are told that it is a potluck party, you are somehow expected to bring something to eat. And whether the party is indeed a potluck or not, you can be sure to go home with more than what you brought in.
Always, always plenty of take-outs from leftovers. Now you know, why most Pinoy households keep those recyclable plastic containers. That is how warm and hospitable Pinoys are. They always anticipate that these plastics will be useful and handy for giving away leftover food from parties or just about anytime they have plenty.
Pinoys party hard, and eat hard!
Filipino friends and acquaintances I speak to every now and then, always marvel at how they get overfed every time they attend Filipino gatherings. Not only do they get introduced to hearty Filipino cuisine but also get hooked on these all-time favorites like the pancit, lumpiang shanghai, adobo, sinigang, embutido, kare-kare and a lot, lot more.
On an event like a celebration of patriotic nature, the same abundance of Filipino food can be expected. When the Montreal Pinoys gathered to celebrate the 121st anniversary of Philippine independence, permanent fixtures include the row of stalls that pride themselves of just about any Pinoy dish and delicacies one can ever imagine for sale.
Same wonderful event happened last June 15 at the Parc McKenzie King at the initiative of the dynamic Canadian Council of Filipino Associations in Quebec (CCFAQ) and the Knights of Rizal. The year’s festivities was led by the indefatigable Dario Boco, current president of CCFAQ. Sir Dario, also a knighted Rizalist, was happily supported by family and friends in the community, the likes of Sir James dela Paz, Sir Gerry Danzil, Sir Boy Galang and their beautiful wives Rose, Linda and Anne, respectively.
The patriotic event kicked off with a long line of parade participants in their best costumes and forms. They didn’t only get to show their Sunday’s best but chant their world missions as well, so to speak. Among the organizations that participated in the event were: different chapters of the KOR in Quebec, the CCFAQ, the Filipino Seafarers Association Montreal, Quebec Association of Filipino Teachers, Felix Y. Manalo Foundation, Tau Gamma Phi/Sigma Grand Fraternity/Sorority, Philippine Foundation of Montreal (Seniors in Motion), Filipino Truckers Association of Montreal, and remittance business organizations such as Asenso Remit, World Remit, and others.
Food, fun, camaraderie, songs, dances, and the bombastic show of power with a 6-cannon gun salute to highlight the jubilation that goes with coming together as one Filipino family on a day like celebrating independence day. Proving once and for all that when Pinoys unite, nothing can be more fun. Congratulations to chair Sir Dario Boco and to the Montreal team-up of CCFAQ and KOR.