Museum of Surrey hosts Filipino Fest on Sept. 23
The free event will feature live performances, storytelling, arts, and cultural vendors
The City of Surrey is hosting Filipino Fest on Sept. 23 to celebrate the culture of the Philippines through performances, storytelling, art, and vendors. (Submitted)
The Museum of Surrey will host Filipino Fest, an event dedicated to celebrating the culture of the Philippines, on Saturday, Sept. 23 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm.
The festival will feature dance performances from the Philippine Cultural Arts Society of BC (PhilCAS), storytelling in English and Tagalog from Surrey Libraries, as well as live singing in both languages from musician Estella Banez and the Himig Kabataan Choir.
“We really want cultural events to reflect the diversity of Surrey,” says Drew LaJeunesse, curator of programs with the Museum of Surrey.
“It’s important for people who are Filipino to practice their culture through dance, song, and art. Also, [for] people who aren’t Filipino, they can learn about different cultures [through] cross-cultural learning.”
Filipina-Canadian multidisciplinary artist Paulina Constancia will lead an activity on “rub art” and exhibit her artwork. Leo Haban, an expert in Filipino textiles, will also have a display.
The event will have vendors selling food and products inspired by Filipino culture and heritage, including Alala Books, Gigil Clothing, Kapé Philippine Coffee, and Kaye Bakes, which sells cakes and breads.
The museum also partnered with the Philippine Consulate General for the event, along with the Surrey Philippine Independence Day Society and Mabuhay House Society, which are two Metro Vancouver non-profit organizations that serve the Filipino community.
While admission is free, the museum does accept optional donations.
This is not the first time the museum has hosted Filipino Fest. LaJeunesse says the annual event began about five years ago but stopped during the pandemic. She says around 1,500 people attended last year’s festival.
In terms of turnout goals, LaJeunesse says she hopes this year’s festival will be larger than last year’s.
“We want to have people watching the performers, we want our vendors and exhibitors to be happy as well,” she says.
LaJeunesse is also looking forward to the event’s positive energy and seeing everyone be “proud to share their culture.”
“[With] this event, there’s a lot more things going on, like more performers and more vendors since last year, so I’m also just looking forward for it to grow and expand.”
Attendees will also have the opportunity to visit the museum’s galleries, the Indigenous Hall exhibition space, and the TD Explore Zone — an area where children can learn about sustainability.
The museum hosts different cultural events throughout the year. As a part of Culture Days — a national celebration of arts and culture, an upcoming event on Oct. 14 will focus on the Dominican Republic.
For more information about Filipino Fest, visit the City of Surrey’s website.
