| Onofre "George" Aguinaldo Mississauga, Ontario, Canada Renowned Filipino-Canadian Leader Positive Image Highlighter Through Cultural Presentations |
When it comes to promoting the Philippines -- its tradition, culture
and rich heritage, George Aguinaldo stands out among the best
Filipinos in the vast country of Canada. His talent in promoting
the Philippines is admired by his adopted country, that whenever
a "pro," so to speak, is needed for highlighting, Canada calls on
this creative, energetic and artistic Filipino-Canadian. Acclaimed
as the creator of one the most artistic group in Canada, George's
group in 1993 represented Canada for 23 days at the Folklore du
Monde in Confolens, France, competing against the world's best
in folk dancing and pageantry. Two years ago in 1991, the same
group which he singlehandedly founded represented Canada in
Portugal. The media always inquire how come the Filipinos are
the ones representing Canada, and in his usual reply, George
explains, "I am doubly proud to be a Canadian and a Filipino
representative whenever the Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe
competes with other artistic local groups for overseas
presentation, we usually walked off with the opportunity to
represent Canada in displaying the new composite of the
new-Canada, a nation of immigrants." Thus, when Canada
needed the best group amongst its cultural groups to represent
the country in presenting a cultural presentation during the 1968
World Olympics, George and his Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe
and rich heritage, George Aguinaldo stands out among the best
Filipinos in the vast country of Canada. His talent in promoting
the Philippines is admired by his adopted country, that whenever
a "pro," so to speak, is needed for highlighting, Canada calls on
this creative, energetic and artistic Filipino-Canadian. Acclaimed
as the creator of one the most artistic group in Canada, George's
group in 1993 represented Canada for 23 days at the Folklore du
Monde in Confolens, France, competing against the world's best
in folk dancing and pageantry. Two years ago in 1991, the same
group which he singlehandedly founded represented Canada in
Portugal. The media always inquire how come the Filipinos are
the ones representing Canada, and in his usual reply, George
explains, "I am doubly proud to be a Canadian and a Filipino
representative whenever the Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe
competes with other artistic local groups for overseas
presentation, we usually walked off with the opportunity to
represent Canada in displaying the new composite of the
new-Canada, a nation of immigrants." Thus, when Canada
needed the best group amongst its cultural groups to represent
the country in presenting a cultural presentation during the 1968
World Olympics, George and his Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe
competes with other artistic local groups for overseas presentation, we usually walked off with the
opportunity to represent Canada in displaying the new composite of the new-Canada, a nation of
immigrants." Thus, when Canada needed the best group amongst its cultural groups to represent the country
in presenting a cultural presentation during the 1968 World Olympics, George and his Fiesta Filipina Dance
Troupe were chosen to entertain the more than one hundred countries' contingents.
The Fiesta Filipina group is usually composed of 26 to 40 performing artists, musicians and production staff
whenever the group leave Toronto. Their entire group, however, is about threefold in their homebase.
He is President and Artistic Director of the Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe of Toronto, and a Musical Director of
the Fiesta Filipina Rondalla. The only Filipino Representative Member for Ontario to Forklore, Canada, and
has the distinct honor to be a member of the Board of Directors of the Community Folk Arts Council of
Metropolitan Toronto. George highlights the best of Filipino creative talents in Canada. Aside from his
memberships, he is also the only Filipino in the Board of Directors of Metro International Caravan of Toronto.
His talents in the art of folk dancing reached as far as Chicago, Illinois where the Filipino-Americans
designated him as choreographer for Filipiniana Dance Group in Chicago.
The known founder and president of the Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe has acted as the Philippines cultural
ambassador in Canada through his dance and music. He was a recipient of several awards: the
Presidential Recognition Award from the Sampaguita Lions Club; the 15 Years Volunteer Service Award from
the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Culture, due to his enormous contribution in the cultural, multicultural
and citizenship fields; Outstanding Service Award from Mississauga, Ontario; Certificate of Appreciation from
the Mississauga Cooksville Lions Club; a Medal from her Majesty the Queen, Honouring her 25th Anniversary
of her Accession; Most Outstanding Filipino in Canada; and Most Oustanding Member from the Filipino
Association of Canada, Toronto.
Through his leadership, dedication and artistry, the dance troupe has been well recognized in Canada and
had garnered several Metro International Caravan awards, the highest honor that can be bestowed to a
cultural group in the City of Toronto. He made the Filipino music and dance known all over the world, thereby
bringing along the country's rich culture.
"The Filipinos are happy people and very graceful," commented one elderly Canadian who has been to all of
George's group's cultural shows."They are, indeed, a great asset to the new-Canada that every one in the
world talks about."
Philippine Ambassador to Canada, the Honorable Pacifico Castro, has nothing but high praises for the
group. "The Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe is doing a great job displaying the rich heritage of our people. I am
proud of them whenever I see them perform and delightfully enchant the audience."
Born in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, George, as he is fondly called by his friends, migrated to Canada in 1965. He
holds a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from the University of Sto. Tomas. Married to Estrellita Madrona , they
have three children: Odette, Rose and Sue. He is presently employed as a Registered Nurse, assigned in
the operating room at St. Joseph Health Centre, Toronto, Canada.
George has his own way of promoting his country's heritage, creating a definite positive image of the Filipinos
and the Philippines. Yes, he is great, and what a better way -- than to dance, sing and act to everyones'
content. #
opportunity to represent Canada in displaying the new composite of the new-Canada, a nation of
immigrants." Thus, when Canada needed the best group amongst its cultural groups to represent the country
in presenting a cultural presentation during the 1968 World Olympics, George and his Fiesta Filipina Dance
Troupe were chosen to entertain the more than one hundred countries' contingents.
The Fiesta Filipina group is usually composed of 26 to 40 performing artists, musicians and production staff
whenever the group leave Toronto. Their entire group, however, is about threefold in their homebase.
He is President and Artistic Director of the Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe of Toronto, and a Musical Director of
the Fiesta Filipina Rondalla. The only Filipino Representative Member for Ontario to Forklore, Canada, and
has the distinct honor to be a member of the Board of Directors of the Community Folk Arts Council of
Metropolitan Toronto. George highlights the best of Filipino creative talents in Canada. Aside from his
memberships, he is also the only Filipino in the Board of Directors of Metro International Caravan of Toronto.
His talents in the art of folk dancing reached as far as Chicago, Illinois where the Filipino-Americans
designated him as choreographer for Filipiniana Dance Group in Chicago.
The known founder and president of the Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe has acted as the Philippines cultural
ambassador in Canada through his dance and music. He was a recipient of several awards: the
Presidential Recognition Award from the Sampaguita Lions Club; the 15 Years Volunteer Service Award from
the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Culture, due to his enormous contribution in the cultural, multicultural
and citizenship fields; Outstanding Service Award from Mississauga, Ontario; Certificate of Appreciation from
the Mississauga Cooksville Lions Club; a Medal from her Majesty the Queen, Honouring her 25th Anniversary
of her Accession; Most Outstanding Filipino in Canada; and Most Oustanding Member from the Filipino
Association of Canada, Toronto.
Through his leadership, dedication and artistry, the dance troupe has been well recognized in Canada and
had garnered several Metro International Caravan awards, the highest honor that can be bestowed to a
cultural group in the City of Toronto. He made the Filipino music and dance known all over the world, thereby
bringing along the country's rich culture.
"The Filipinos are happy people and very graceful," commented one elderly Canadian who has been to all of
George's group's cultural shows."They are, indeed, a great asset to the new-Canada that every one in the
world talks about."
Philippine Ambassador to Canada, the Honorable Pacifico Castro, has nothing but high praises for the
group. "The Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe is doing a great job displaying the rich heritage of our people. I am
proud of them whenever I see them perform and delightfully enchant the audience."
Born in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, George, as he is fondly called by his friends, migrated to Canada in 1965. He
holds a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from the University of Sto. Tomas. Married to Estrellita Madrona , they
have three children: Odette, Rose and Sue. He is presently employed as a Registered Nurse, assigned in
the operating room at St. Joseph Health Centre, Toronto, Canada.
George has his own way of promoting his country's heritage, creating a definite positive image of the Filipinos
and the Philippines. Yes, he is great, and what a better way -- than to dance, sing and act to everyones'
content. #
Washington D.C. Since 1987
Washington D.C. Since 1987
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