Press Release No. 2023-05

Toronto, 21 January 2023 – With ecstatic shouts of “Viva Senor Santo Nino” and “Hala Bira” from the officers, members, and friends of the United Aklanon Association of Toronto (UAAT), the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto led by Consul General Orontes V. Castro joins the UAAT in the successful annual celebration today of Ati-Atihan Festival, entitled “Ati-Atihan Toronto 2023”, in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) held at the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto in Scarborough, Ontario. There were 550 participants in today’s event.

The event started with Thanksgiving Prayers led by Reverend Father Norberto Eule and a welcome remark from UAAT President Mercedes Molina.

In his remarks, Consul General Castro commended the UAAT for initiating this year’s Ati-Atihan Festival and recognized the relentless effort of the Association in involving the young generation of Filipino Canadians in their community in cultural activities that promote the continuing link of the young Filipino Canadians with the country of origin of their parents – the Philippines.

The highlight of today’s event is the friendly competition of five (5) groups who came from the Province of Aklan and performed their respective interpretation of the Ati-Atihan performance through dance and music. The Ieigkamoran Linabuan Norte 2023 was adjudged as this year’s Best in Presentation and Costume. The participants in the event were served with Filipino foods and desserts. END-