The Filipino community in Timmins is ready to party.
The third annual Filipino Fiesta will take place on Saturday, Aug. 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot between Balsam Street South and Cedar Street South, and organizers are already preparing the food and music.
“We've had three weeks of planning,” said Estella Chow. “A long time ago, it was so limited, and now, Timmins is growing with everybody from everywhere.”
This year’s celebrations will include a roasted pig, karaoke, and a chance to try on some traditional Filipino garb. There will be performances from traditional dancers as well as some newer styles.
“It’s to showcase all the talent, we’re trying to develop that,” she said.
The chance to share some of her culture is a big part of why the fiesta is so important to Chow, and making sure she her family and friends hang onto it is also a motivating factor.
“We need to not forget the culture that we came from,” she said. “We are from the Philippines but we need to bring the culture to where we are.”
Those who attend can expect traditional foods, music, dancing and prizes, including a 50/50 draw. Chow said the food will be the highlight, and she’s already preparing for the roast pig, though it will be an indoor process this year.
“It’s faster in an oven,” she said. “We’re trying to do Filipino hot dogs, the colour is kind of red, so it’s not a Canadian hot dog, it’s the Filipino version.”
There will be vegetarian dishes available too.
“We have to prepare for everybody,” she said.
Organizers are looking forward to seeing the rest of the Timmins community come out and celebrate with them.
“If you go to another town in the Philippines, you will always see a fiesta there,” she said. “It’s a get together once a year with friends and family to come together and have fun. That’s the purpose of fiesta!”
