Timmins Filipino Association hosting annual Fiesta

Second annual Filipino Fiesta is fun for all The Filipino community in Timmins hosted a fiesta, complete with dancing and traditional foods. Lydia Chubak reports.

The Filipino community in Timmins is growing and it wants to share its culture with the rest of the city.

“I've been here in Canada since 1993, and you know, when you are here that long, you miss the activities that you are used to back home,” said Estela Aguilar Chow.

Chow is the owner of Lady Luck Family Restaurant & Convenience Store and organizer of the Filipino Fiesta.

On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the annual festival will take place in the municipal parking lot across from Lady Luck Restaurant on Balsam Street South.

Organizers told CTV News they are looking forward to sharing their friendly culture with everyone who comes out.

“We love welcoming people with a large smile, you know, to make them feel welcome,” said Carl Anthony Gupo, a youth ambassador for the Filipino Association in Timmins.

Chow said the event is free – including the food.

“It's a barbecue and lots of things to be offered here at the parking lot in front of Lady Luck Restaurant,” she said.

“This is free for everyone to try and don't worry about allergies, because you know what? There's no seafood in the premises.”

One of the event’s highlights is dancing.

“We have practiced plenty of dances to showcase our traditional dances to show Timmins our culture,” said Gupo.

In the event of rain on Saturday, the Senator Hotel ballroom is rented again, just in case.

Organizers said the Filipino population in Timmins is now at around 500 members.