| Estrellita “Estring” M. Aguinaldo Mississauga, Ontario, Canada Filipino-Canadian Dynamic Ambassador of Filipino Heritage |
Estrellita Aguinaldo, the matriarch of the renowned Fiesta Filipina
Dance Troupe. Over the past decades, the Fiesta Filipina Dance
Troupe through its steady and solid years of remarkable calibre in
theatre art, has earned admirations, prestigious awards and
distinction bestowed by numerous institutions, thus giving it the
reputation as one of the “best traditional dance group in Canada”.
Founded in 1966, George Aguinaldo, Estrellita’s husband, is the
creator and teacher, revising basic dance steps from their original
roots in Philippine folk arts without jeopardizing their authenticity.
When the curtain goes up to start a performance, George sits
down with the rondalla to play the octavina. For the moment, his
job is finished, however from the backstage, while George and
his group is playing, the voice with authoritative finality, cuts a
clear swath across “Put more life into your dance, fix your make
up, your costumes, know when your cues are, check the schedule
on the bulletin board, make sure you are wearing the right props
and are in order”. This is the voice of authority, the moving force,
the strength where the whole troupe functions with fluidity and
grace on and off stage, the voice of the Executive
Director/Producer, Estrellita Aguinaldo
Dance Troupe. Over the past decades, the Fiesta Filipina Dance
Troupe through its steady and solid years of remarkable calibre in
theatre art, has earned admirations, prestigious awards and
distinction bestowed by numerous institutions, thus giving it the
reputation as one of the “best traditional dance group in Canada”.
Founded in 1966, George Aguinaldo, Estrellita’s husband, is the
creator and teacher, revising basic dance steps from their original
roots in Philippine folk arts without jeopardizing their authenticity.
When the curtain goes up to start a performance, George sits
down with the rondalla to play the octavina. For the moment, his
job is finished, however from the backstage, while George and
his group is playing, the voice with authoritative finality, cuts a
clear swath across “Put more life into your dance, fix your make
up, your costumes, know when your cues are, check the schedule
on the bulletin board, make sure you are wearing the right props
and are in order”. This is the voice of authority, the moving force,
the strength where the whole troupe functions with fluidity and
grace on and off stage, the voice of the Executive
Director/Producer, Estrellita Aguinaldo
Born in Iloilo in 1940, her parents are Estrella Madrona and the late Mauricio Madrona, a school teacher and a
Division Superintendent of Music in Iloilo province. Graduated from the University of the Philippines-Philippine
General Hospital School of Nursing with Diploma in Nursing. She went to Chicago through the exchange
program at the Cook County General Hospital in 1962-1964, where she met her husband George through a
dance group George was forming. Both fascinated with folk dancing, their shares efforts and harmonious
aspirations led them to where they are now.
Today, the Aguinaldos have become synonymous with the Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe. Through their self-
effacing efforts, they have imprinted in the minds of Canadians the ever-smiling image of a Filipino dancing
and singing under a bright sun or a full moon. As a mainstay in the Manila pavilion of the Toronto’s Festival
Caravan, indisputably one of the biggest cultural festival in the whole of Canada - Fiesta Filipina has
introduced the Philippines to legions of viewers. Since the group joined the nine-day annual Festival Caravan
in 1969, at least, more than half a million Canadians have watched its performances. Fiesta Filipina has
placed the country in the international cultural map. Estrellita’s dancers thrilled audiences in Portugal in
1991, in Central France and Italy in 1993, Greece and Vienna in the summer of 1995, in Spain and Southern
France, July 1996 and took the whole troupe to their “Back to Routes Tour” in 8 major cities in the Philippines
in 1997, this tour did not only give a chance for their young members to learn more about the Philippines, but
helped in the Fund raising Activities for the widows and orphans of the Police, Army and Air Force men in
Manila, rebuilding church in Pampanga and Gingo-og City, Boystown in Cagayan de Oro, National Red Cross
in Davao and Girl Scout Council in Iloilo.
Estrellita is the brain, who put things together. She looks after the proper costuming the dancers are wearing,
coordinate the colors, and give expressions and enhance meaning to her husband’s choreography. She is
the mother of almost 60 performers and instrumentalists. Dancers ranges from 6 years up. Estrellita has
been the guiding light of these growing performers, whose parents entrusted them their children as they grow
up in the limelight. With Estrellita’s discipline, these dancers are growing up not only enjoying the thrill of
every performances but the glory as the virtually harvest a bumper crop of trophies and awards.
Their major cultural turf remains to be the Caravan in Toronto where they are one of the biggest crowd-
drawers among a galaxy of pavilions representing over 40 countries. Estrellita chairs the management of the
Manila Pavilion. Her management skills, put into good use, has thrice garnered the much coveted, highest
Caravan Award the “Best Pavilion” respectively in 1979, 1992 and 1998; five times the “Best Entertainment”
and five times the “Best Traditional Show”; twice the “Best Costumes”, and the “Best Traditional Music”, not to
mention several other runner-up prizes for other Caravan categories.
Estrellita believes in developing leadership and artistic qualities of her young members and this is best seen
during Caravan time in which each one has a role, either the chairmanship of the pavilion planning, food,
Interior decorations, or refreshments and bar.
Estrellita not only looks after the production and running of the FFDT, but also manages it’s Fund raising
activities, one of which is the regular management of their Bingo Sponsorship.
There is no doubt that Estrellita’s life revolves around the Fiesta Filipina which is virtually interchangeable with
her own family. In fact, all members of her immediate family are in the very fabric of the dance troupe. Her
husband George, the Artistic and Musical Director, dance masters, musicians and dancers, as well as her
granddaughters Crista, a dancer and Instrumentalists and Cassie a dancer for the Junior Division, Estrellita’s
mother, Estrella Madrona, is the skilled hand that executes the making of most of the colorful and exotically
designed costumes. Indeed, under Estrellita’s management, Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe of Canada has
become more sophisticated. “Tita Estring” to all members of the group, with her, the group has become more
than just a dance troupe, it’s one big happy family. With Estrellita’s guidance, the renowned group will
continue to grow to fulfill its main goal, the promotion of Philippine culture through songs and dances here in
Canada and around the world.
For her role in the preservation and promotion of culture of Filipino Heritage through songs and dances,
Estrellita was Awarded One of the Most Outstanding Filipinos in Canada last February 1990. #
Division Superintendent of Music in Iloilo province. Graduated from the University of the Philippines-Philippine
General Hospital School of Nursing with Diploma in Nursing. She went to Chicago through the exchange
program at the Cook County General Hospital in 1962-1964, where she met her husband George through a
dance group George was forming. Both fascinated with folk dancing, their shares efforts and harmonious
aspirations led them to where they are now.
Today, the Aguinaldos have become synonymous with the Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe. Through their self-
effacing efforts, they have imprinted in the minds of Canadians the ever-smiling image of a Filipino dancing
and singing under a bright sun or a full moon. As a mainstay in the Manila pavilion of the Toronto’s Festival
Caravan, indisputably one of the biggest cultural festival in the whole of Canada - Fiesta Filipina has
introduced the Philippines to legions of viewers. Since the group joined the nine-day annual Festival Caravan
in 1969, at least, more than half a million Canadians have watched its performances. Fiesta Filipina has
placed the country in the international cultural map. Estrellita’s dancers thrilled audiences in Portugal in
1991, in Central France and Italy in 1993, Greece and Vienna in the summer of 1995, in Spain and Southern
France, July 1996 and took the whole troupe to their “Back to Routes Tour” in 8 major cities in the Philippines
in 1997, this tour did not only give a chance for their young members to learn more about the Philippines, but
helped in the Fund raising Activities for the widows and orphans of the Police, Army and Air Force men in
Manila, rebuilding church in Pampanga and Gingo-og City, Boystown in Cagayan de Oro, National Red Cross
in Davao and Girl Scout Council in Iloilo.
Estrellita is the brain, who put things together. She looks after the proper costuming the dancers are wearing,
coordinate the colors, and give expressions and enhance meaning to her husband’s choreography. She is
the mother of almost 60 performers and instrumentalists. Dancers ranges from 6 years up. Estrellita has
been the guiding light of these growing performers, whose parents entrusted them their children as they grow
up in the limelight. With Estrellita’s discipline, these dancers are growing up not only enjoying the thrill of
every performances but the glory as the virtually harvest a bumper crop of trophies and awards.
Their major cultural turf remains to be the Caravan in Toronto where they are one of the biggest crowd-
drawers among a galaxy of pavilions representing over 40 countries. Estrellita chairs the management of the
Manila Pavilion. Her management skills, put into good use, has thrice garnered the much coveted, highest
Caravan Award the “Best Pavilion” respectively in 1979, 1992 and 1998; five times the “Best Entertainment”
and five times the “Best Traditional Show”; twice the “Best Costumes”, and the “Best Traditional Music”, not to
mention several other runner-up prizes for other Caravan categories.
Estrellita believes in developing leadership and artistic qualities of her young members and this is best seen
during Caravan time in which each one has a role, either the chairmanship of the pavilion planning, food,
Interior decorations, or refreshments and bar.
Estrellita not only looks after the production and running of the FFDT, but also manages it’s Fund raising
activities, one of which is the regular management of their Bingo Sponsorship.
There is no doubt that Estrellita’s life revolves around the Fiesta Filipina which is virtually interchangeable with
her own family. In fact, all members of her immediate family are in the very fabric of the dance troupe. Her
husband George, the Artistic and Musical Director, dance masters, musicians and dancers, as well as her
granddaughters Crista, a dancer and Instrumentalists and Cassie a dancer for the Junior Division, Estrellita’s
mother, Estrella Madrona, is the skilled hand that executes the making of most of the colorful and exotically
designed costumes. Indeed, under Estrellita’s management, Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe of Canada has
become more sophisticated. “Tita Estring” to all members of the group, with her, the group has become more
than just a dance troupe, it’s one big happy family. With Estrellita’s guidance, the renowned group will
continue to grow to fulfill its main goal, the promotion of Philippine culture through songs and dances here in
Canada and around the world.
For her role in the preservation and promotion of culture of Filipino Heritage through songs and dances,
Estrellita was Awarded One of the Most Outstanding Filipinos in Canada last February 1990. #
Washington D.C. Since 1987
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