Ariel Rivera to headline Filipino Heritage Month festival in Alberta

Photo from Filipino Canadian Association Lethbridge Alberta/Facebook

June is Filipino Heritage Month in Canada, and festivities will fill the calendars of Fil-Canadians celebrating Filipino culture and heritage throughout the month.

Celebrations nationwide recognize the achievements of Fil-Canadians and their contributions to the country’s diverse cultural landscape.

Filipinos in Canada have made their mark in various fields including healthcare, politics, sports, the arts, finance and social justice.

“During this special month, let’s learn more about the traditions of Filipino Canadians through the cultural and traditional activities happening across the country,” said Kamal Khera, minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, in a statement released on June 1, 2024.

The Filipino Canadian Association of Lethbridge Alberta (FCALA) is at the helm of one of this year’s biggest Filipino Heritage Month celebrations on June 15-16 at the Henderson Park Shoreline Pavilion in Lethbridge.

Photo from Vic Lester Visitacion/Facebook

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Ariel Rivera to open the Lethbridge Filipino Heritage Festival

This annual  event is bigger and better this year — spanning two days of cultural festivities and featuring iconic singer, songwriter and actor Ariel Rivera, who will headline the opening day on June 15 at 6:30 p.m.

His soulful serenades, along with performances by the local band, Jam Nuts, will ensure a memorable, lively evening of music and entertainment.

The event will also feature all-time Pinoy food favorites, in addition to live music, dance performances and a fashion event showcasing modern and traditional Filipino designs.

Both days will begin with an energizing Zumba session hosted by the FCALA Zumba Team. The event will also offer community members a chance to shine at FCALA’s Got Talent 2024 on June 16. 

Festival sponsors include Alberta Business and Health Institute, Paris Jewellers and Lethbridge Toyota — which will display their top trucks at the event.

Events like this, honoring Filipino Heritage Month and  Filipino Restaurant Month, show how the Filipino communities in Alberta and throughout Canada are thriving and committed to promoting Filipino culture and heritage. 

Filipinos make up the fourth largest racial group in Canada, and their population is projected to reach 2 million by 2041, Statistics Canada reported.

There are 960,000 Filipinos in Canada or about 2.6 percent of the country’s total population as of July 1, 2022.

For more information about tickets, booths, sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, email [email protected] or visit FCALA’s Facebook page.