This year, 2009, is a milestone in the history of Filipinos in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In 1959, five brave nurses arrived in Winnipeg to work at the Misericordia Hospital not knowing that they were the very first Filipinos to settle here. Fifty years later, the community has grown to the now strong and dynamic population of 60,000 and is still growing.

The Philippine Heritage Council of Manitoba Inc. (PHCMI) has taken the lead in organizing events to celebrate the 50th Anniversary. The 32 member organizations of PHCMI will host a free concert as a tribute to the community. Parangal was conceived as a free concert to showcase talents through the five decades (1959 to 2009) and is co-directed by Joy Lazo and Gil Buenaventura. It will be held at The Pantages Playhouse Theatre, corner Main Street and Market Avenue, on October 25, 2009 at 4:00 p.m.

This event will also provide an avenue for those who wish to donate to the victims of the flood caused by a series of typhoons in Manila and Central Luzon. A silver bowl will be in the front foyer for those who wish to donate.

A final event to wind up our celebration of our 50th Anniversary as a community is a lantern festival, which will be held on December 5, 2009, 4:00 p.m. at the Philippine Canadian Centre of Manitoba (PCCM). There will be a lantern making competition using recyclable materials, mga kakanin, caroling, games and other fun things. This event is open to the public.

Come and celebrate our life here in Winnipeg! Meet old and new friends and welcome our fellow Canadians. Come to the concert and get to know the history of Filipinos in Winnipeg and have fun!

Together we are stronger! Together we will achieve more!

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