Publisher's Note

Publisher’s Note
by Roberto Ugaddan Hello readers, It’s now half of September and soon it will be officially Fall. Not only that when the months starts to end in BER, that means we are almost approaching the end of 2019. It was just like yesterday when we started with the year 2019. There were lots of activities/concerts coming up [...]
Read full post »

Visitors to Pinoytimes

Start of StatCounter Code

End of StatCounter Code

Page added on August 20, 2016

Email This Post Printable version

Print This Post

FIL-AM of Montana Fiesta 2016

by Steve Tarzwell

Every year my wife and I make 3-4 trips from Calgary to vacation in Montana. These “long weekends” last about 4 or 5 days each and we choose different parts of this large State to explore. Montana is similar to Alberta’s outdoors, but they have even more lakes, rivers, waterfalls and wildlife. One thing they don’t have – they don’t have many people down there! Talk about peace and quiet.

Our most recent trip as tourists included one day dedicated to attending the 2016 FIL-AM Fiesta held in Great Falls, Montana. We had so much fun last year at the same event, held in Kalispell, that we decided to book a trip around it this year. As there are fewer Filipinos in Montana than the estimated 25,000 in Calgary, they move the event around their bigger cities each year. The 2017 Fiesta will be held in Missoula, Montana.

The FIL-AM group of Great Falls put on a party, a Fiesta, that shows they have experience and know what they are doing. They continually improve each year, rather than making the same mistakes, over and over. With over 400 attendees, many from outside Great Falls, they did an awesome job! No surprise, dinner was Filipino style – lots of variety, no shortage of food, and of course two lechons, which were totally consumed.

Once dinner was finished then the fun began. Little Ms. FIL-AM of Great Falls, along with the First and Second Princesses had their Coronation. Then, my favorite, we were rockin’ to the music and dancing of the FIL-AM Cowgirls of Great Falls. These beautiful and talented girls obviously had taken a lot of time to rehearse and prepare several numbers, which were enjoyed by both young and old alike. I hope we see them again in 2017!

Next was a duet by mother and daughter, from Montana’s southern city of Missoula and then Shelby, Montana presented a great Tinikling dance while the FIL-AM kids put on a talent show.

Although a repeat from the 2015 Fiesta, a heartwarming performance by Edsa Artates called Repeat Declamation (Vengeance is not ours, its God’s), brought tears to our eyes. Modern music and modern dance highlighted the lively presentation of the Helena, Montana FIL-AM group, followed by a fun number from the “Extra Rice Boys” and Escrima Filipino Style Martial Arts.

No doubt the most colorful event of the night was the Filipino Traditional Costume Fashion Show. Fashions of all 118 years of Filipino traditions were aptly modeled by Filipinos from 8-80 years of age. The M/C for this portion gave a brief description and history of each costume, educating the large audience that these traditional costumes will continue to live on, both here in North America and back home in the Philippines.

While I can be a huge critic and like to see continuous improvements, this Fiesta was near perfect. A few vendors selling jewelry and Filipino goods were present. The entire layout permitted Filipinos to chat and get to know one another. After 20 years of being married to a Filipino, I know the importance of chatting, getting to know more Filipinos and exchanging addresses and getting together on Facebook. The music and entertainment differed from local Calgary shows in that they don’t need the volume at ear-splitting levels and the M/C does not yell at the crowd, trying to bring attention to herself. Why that is done regularly here in Calgary, I don’t understand. Filipinos are not deaf.

Although you may not be making plans for 2017 yet, keep it in the back of your mind. If you are going to Montana for a beautiful trip anyway, why not make it in July and attend the 2017 FIL-Am Fiesta, held next year in Missoula, Montana. Don’t be surprised when you find out what a good time you have there, and you will want to keep coming back again and again! Go ahead, join the fun crowd.

see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php

FIL-AM of Montana Fiesta 2016

pinoytimes.ca © 2009