| Mila Uriarte Tan Scarborough, Ontario, Canada A Beautiful Ambassador of Goodwill |
Mila has an interesting background. She has a B.A.
Sociology-Anthropology from the Silliman University in the
Philippines. She was a Flight Stewardees of Philippine Airlines
and Filipinas Orient Aiways before she migrated to Canada. Her
first employment in Canada was with the Ministry of Health.
It is obvious that Mila did not pursue her dreams in the career
which she endeavored but instead use her other talent which is
dancing. An asset which work to her advantage, that led her to the
top. But in order for her to develop this talent, she took advance
courses on Polynesian dancing at the University of Hawaii and
obtained a degree on Polynesian and Hawaiian dances. Under
well-known dance directors in Honolulu, her talents further
bloomed. You maybe wondering why Polynesian? Hawaiian?
What has it got to do with the Filipinos and what is the relevance
with the award? Wonders of wonders! Unique in her own way,
she made herself known in Canada and the whole world as a
Filipina in her grass skirt.
She was a dancer, choreographer, dance instructor, producer and
director of Polynesian shows in Ontario. She later on became the
Founder and President of the Polynesian Spectacular Dance
Sociology-Anthropology from the Silliman University in the
Philippines. She was a Flight Stewardees of Philippine Airlines
and Filipinas Orient Aiways before she migrated to Canada. Her
first employment in Canada was with the Ministry of Health.
It is obvious that Mila did not pursue her dreams in the career
which she endeavored but instead use her other talent which is
dancing. An asset which work to her advantage, that led her to the
top. But in order for her to develop this talent, she took advance
courses on Polynesian dancing at the University of Hawaii and
obtained a degree on Polynesian and Hawaiian dances. Under
well-known dance directors in Honolulu, her talents further
bloomed. You maybe wondering why Polynesian? Hawaiian?
What has it got to do with the Filipinos and what is the relevance
with the award? Wonders of wonders! Unique in her own way,
she made herself known in Canada and the whole world as a
Filipina in her grass skirt.
She was a dancer, choreographer, dance instructor, producer and
director of Polynesian shows in Ontario. She later on became the
Founder and President of the Polynesian Spectacular Dance
Company in Ontario, Canada; she is co-founder and Director of the Polynesian Music and Dance Association
of Canada; Executive Director of the Polynesian-Hawaiian Association of Peel in Ontario, Canada; Producer &
Artistic Director of the Award Winning Waikiki Pavilion of Metro Toronto International Caravan; Producer &
Artistic Director of the Polynesian-Hawaiian Pavilion of Carabram International Festival in Brampton. Ontario,
Canada; Producer and Artistic Director of The Hawaiian Pavilion of Carassauga International Festival in
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada; Hawaiian Dance Instructor of The Scarborough Board of Education in Ontario,
Canada; Polynesian Dance Instructor of Pickering Board of Education in Ontario, Canada.
Her dance troupe, the Polynesian Spectacular Dancers represent the Polynesian community in Toronto,
Ontario, Canada. The five young dancers, eventually grew to 150 talented young artists who perform locally,
nationally, and internationally. The grace and finesse with which Mila's dancers stage their repertoire are not
surprising. They still professionally perform in hotels, restaurants, and convention centres.
At every performances, she always introduce the group as Filipino-Canadian. She highlights positive image
for the Filipinos, doing ambassadorial job through her own performances and that of her dancers. They have
performed at the opening celebrations of the Toronto Skydome; Winter Olympic Torch Ceremonies at
Toronto's City Hall; Economic Summit Conference held in Toronto; Toronto's Massey Hall accompanies with
Hawaii's Society of Seven; National Arts Centre in Ottawa; featured in several local and national television
programs.
In addition, they had several international performances such as the Festival Internacional de Folklore in
Puerto Rico; Festival Internazional Del Folklore in Italy; and the Festival Internacional de Folklore in Brazil.
They have also volunteered performances for the Native Indian Reservation in Moosonee, Hospitals, Seniors
Homes and various Charitable Organizations all over Ontario, Canada.
They made every fund raiser event a success, and would be on top of activities that would require her to
contribute to any humanitarian cause. These services she provides the community through her membership
in various organizations; such as, Folklore Canada International, Community Folkarts of Metro Toronto,
American Federation of Musicians of U.S.A. and Canada, Metro Toronto International Caravan in Toronto,
Carassauga International Arts Festival, Missisauga, Carabram International Arts Festival, Brampton and the
Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe.
Another aspect of her service to the community is her volunteer work at charities, providing her technical
knowledge to the success of the project. She is always willing to give a hand when requested to organize
events and /or program to help raise funds for humanitarian causes. Occasionally, the Philippine Consulate
in Ottawa, would also request her services for which she gladly complies. She has earned the praises of her
Filipino and Canadian friends and colleagues because of her willingness to provide her services even
without monetary consideration.
Mila had never expected to be recognized nor be awarded for her activities. As she had indicated, she did what
she did for the joy of it, and the reward is immaterial. She will, however, continue to contribute the best she
can for the upliftment of the Filipino-Canadian image in Ontario. FIL-AM IMAGE welcomes her to the fold of
positive Filipino image-builders.
of Canada; Executive Director of the Polynesian-Hawaiian Association of Peel in Ontario, Canada; Producer &
Artistic Director of the Award Winning Waikiki Pavilion of Metro Toronto International Caravan; Producer &
Artistic Director of the Polynesian-Hawaiian Pavilion of Carabram International Festival in Brampton. Ontario,
Canada; Producer and Artistic Director of The Hawaiian Pavilion of Carassauga International Festival in
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada; Hawaiian Dance Instructor of The Scarborough Board of Education in Ontario,
Canada; Polynesian Dance Instructor of Pickering Board of Education in Ontario, Canada.
Her dance troupe, the Polynesian Spectacular Dancers represent the Polynesian community in Toronto,
Ontario, Canada. The five young dancers, eventually grew to 150 talented young artists who perform locally,
nationally, and internationally. The grace and finesse with which Mila's dancers stage their repertoire are not
surprising. They still professionally perform in hotels, restaurants, and convention centres.
At every performances, she always introduce the group as Filipino-Canadian. She highlights positive image
for the Filipinos, doing ambassadorial job through her own performances and that of her dancers. They have
performed at the opening celebrations of the Toronto Skydome; Winter Olympic Torch Ceremonies at
Toronto's City Hall; Economic Summit Conference held in Toronto; Toronto's Massey Hall accompanies with
Hawaii's Society of Seven; National Arts Centre in Ottawa; featured in several local and national television
programs.
In addition, they had several international performances such as the Festival Internacional de Folklore in
Puerto Rico; Festival Internazional Del Folklore in Italy; and the Festival Internacional de Folklore in Brazil.
They have also volunteered performances for the Native Indian Reservation in Moosonee, Hospitals, Seniors
Homes and various Charitable Organizations all over Ontario, Canada.
They made every fund raiser event a success, and would be on top of activities that would require her to
contribute to any humanitarian cause. These services she provides the community through her membership
in various organizations; such as, Folklore Canada International, Community Folkarts of Metro Toronto,
American Federation of Musicians of U.S.A. and Canada, Metro Toronto International Caravan in Toronto,
Carassauga International Arts Festival, Missisauga, Carabram International Arts Festival, Brampton and the
Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe.
Another aspect of her service to the community is her volunteer work at charities, providing her technical
knowledge to the success of the project. She is always willing to give a hand when requested to organize
events and /or program to help raise funds for humanitarian causes. Occasionally, the Philippine Consulate
in Ottawa, would also request her services for which she gladly complies. She has earned the praises of her
Filipino and Canadian friends and colleagues because of her willingness to provide her services even
without monetary consideration.
Mila had never expected to be recognized nor be awarded for her activities. As she had indicated, she did what
she did for the joy of it, and the reward is immaterial. She will, however, continue to contribute the best she
can for the upliftment of the Filipino-Canadian image in Ontario. FIL-AM IMAGE welcomes her to the fold of
positive Filipino image-builders.
Washington D.C. Since 1987
Washington D.C. Since 1987
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