Mr. Alvin Relleve – President of Metro Vancouver Philippine Arts and Culture Expedition (MV-PACES) announcing the grand prize of the raffles. The proceeds of the affair will go to Gawad Kalinga housing program. Also in the photos are emcees of the program Debbie Arkonsel and Socorro Newland. ( Exclusive Photos by; Roving Correspondent Photo Journalist Ronnie Estrada, U.S. News Agency/Northern California, U.S.A. )

By U.S. News Agency / Asian

Pres. Alvin Relleve of (MV-PACES) Metro Vancouver Philippine Arts and Culture Expedition said the seniors aged 60+ and above to be people there! When the celebration of the 114th anniversary of the declaration of Philippine Independence unfolded on June 9-10 at the Waterfront Park in this city, a totally differ­ent program in the festivities was presented as the community pays tribute to its Seniors, Aged, Veterans and Elders (S.A.V.E.).

The 2-day spectacle began at 10:00 in the morning and ended at 6:00pm on both days. The Metro Vancouver Philip­pine Arts & Culture Exposition Society (MV-PACES) held a complete “fiesta” atmosphere for all ages, while the Sunday (June 10th) formal opening ceremony and program focused mainly into honoring the Seniors. Last May 27th, the Filipino Seniors Club of BC, headed by its Presi­dent Freddie Bagunu were all in unison in declaring their full par­ticipation in the forthcoming In­dependence rites, donning their traditional “Filipiniana” attire.

“This celebration will be unique to what we’ve had in the last seven years of holding this community “fiesta” event.” De­clared Direk Robert Tongko, who will again be at the helm of the entire proceedings. “We want our Seniors to feel important, and to cherish the memories of “good Philippines past” while savoring the music and entertainment on stage. This will surely be an ex­perience worth remembering for them.” added Direk Robert. He is referring to the segment called “Senior Moments!”

So the entire Filipino Canadian community, as well as all other multicultural communities were encouraged to bring along their 60&above Seniors to the park so they could be honored in the festival. For the first time also this year, a carnival ride was set-up to be the main attraction at the Fun Kids Zone situated along the northern part of the Waterfront Park, which had an inflatable slide and the shooting gallery.

52 Food and Merchandise booths filled the place, along with guest sponsors coming directly from the Philippines to join in the celebration.

GLOBE TELECOM, co-presenter of the event, as well as DUTY FREE PHILIPPINES, major sponsor of the event landed 2 days before the event to meet with the MV-PACES directors to plan out how best to “bring the Philippines” into the Filipino Canadians and mainstream audience.