Photos from inigopascual, lovipoe/Instagram

With summer still at its peak in Canada, festivals around the country continue to draw big crowds.

The biggest Filipino cultural festival in Toronto will take place this weekend.

A free event for all, the much-awaited Mabuhay Philippines Festival is set to showcase Filipino flavors, music and cultural shows at Nathan Phillips Square on Saturday, Aug. 24, and Sunday, Aug. 25, from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

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Over 50 vendors will feature the best of Filipino cuisine, fashion and art. If you’re a foodie, this is your best chance to savor authentic Filipino food, baked goodies and more.

What to expect at this Filipino festival

The festival is presented by the Philippine Independence Day Council (PIDC), which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2023. Organizers promise another grand event for attendees.

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Day one of the festival, Aug. 24, will feature Singer-actor Iñigo Pascual, who has recently unveiled a trilogy of heartbreak-themed songs, consisting of “Basta’t Alam Kong Tayo,” “Kahit Hindi Mo Ako Nakikita,” and “Okay Lang Ako.” 

On Aug. 25, Filipina actress Lovi Poe will grace the stage. Expressing her excitement, Poe said in an Instagram video, “I remember when I was there, I had the best time, and now I’m excited to be with everyone.”

Highlighting diversity and inclusivity, the festival is also set to present a fashion show by acclaimed Filipino designer Renee Salud and an all-Filipino drag show.

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A post shared by Mabuhay_TO (@mabuhay_to)

Additionally, the Filipino festival will feature the Battle at the Square tournament, the biggest basketball event in Toronto. Teams from across the city will be competing for cash prizes. For those who want to join the tournament, a participation fee of $800 per team is required.

An event for the whole family, kids can look forward to having photo ops with the beloved Filipino mascot, Jollibee. 

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The PDIC is a nonprofit umbrella organization of hundreds of Filipino Canadian provincial, regional, professional, cultural and social organizations. ​It is known for pioneering outdoor and indoor events, street parades and cultural festivals. 

At the forefront of promoting Filipino culture in Canada, PIDC is also at the helm of street Santa Cruzans, songwriting competitions and uniting Filipino comedians on local stages.

Mark your calendars and follow this Filipino festival’s social media accounts for updates. 

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