Filipino Members Chapter - Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba
at The Manitoba Filipino Street Festival
By Jeffrey David, P.Eng.
The Manitoba Filipino Street Festival returned to the streets again last
June 24, 2023. This year’s event was billed as “Balik Kalye” which translates
to “Return to the Street”signifies the return of the street parade activity of
the festival. The parade makes its return post-COVID19 pandemic.
The two-day event, from June 24 to June 25, was held at the Maples
Multiplex Grounds, Adsum Drive, Winnipeg, MB, and was intended to
showcase the diverse Filipino cultural backgrounds and traditions.
The parade kicked off the festival.
The Filipino Members Chapter – Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba (FMC-EGM) made its presence in the festival, by taking part in the parade, and having a booth in the festival grounds as led by Richard Tarun, EIT and Jay del Rosario, EIT. The FMC-EGM parade delegation comprised around 40 members and their families donning traditional Filipino costumes (the men wore plain white shirts, black pants, hat, red bandana, and FMC pin; the women wore plain white shirts/blouses, black pants/skirt, red head bandana, red tapis and alampay, and FMC-EGM pin) and waving handheld-Philippine flags (the accessories: flag, hat, FMC pin, bandana, tapis, and alampay were provided by FMC-EGM). The parade route was about two kilometres in length, starting from Watson and Stardust, making its way towards Jefferson, and finally ending at the Festival grounds on Adsum.
After the parade, members shared in a lunch provided by FMC-EGM, exchanging stories about their own professional journeys in becoming an engineer.
The FMC-EGM booth included displays related to traditional Filipino games, some engineering exhibits (such as model of a power line), and STEM toys (snap circuits and construction) for children (and adults) to play with. In addition to the cultural exhibit, members provided information to visitors/prospective applicants interested in the process of becoming a Professional Engineer in Manitoba.
FMC-EGM acknowledges and thanks the hard working volunteers, without whom, this event would not have been possible.
This event concludes FMC-EGM’s participation in the Philippine Heritage Month celebrations in Manitoba.
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Related Article: Filipino Express
