Bringing People Together at One Night in the Philippines

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fundraiser raises $25,000 in support of the New Canadians Centre

 

Getting involved with the Filipino community is something Edward Rama has wanted to do for a long time.

“I’ve often thought about how I could volunteer my time to do something that would support the Filipino community, and perhaps bring me closer to them,” says Rama.

 

Originally from the Philippines, Rama is the restaurant manager at One Fine Food located at 800 Erskine Avenue in Peterborough. Recently he shared his skills and expertise to help prepare and coordinate food for over 200 guests of the New Canadians Centre’s annual celebration, One Night in the Philippines. The event held on March 2 at Aria in downtown Peterborough raised more than $25,000 to help support the delivery of programs and services for more than 700 newcomers a year.

 

“When Ed Kloosterman and Val Anderson, two long-time customers of the restaurant, shared they were looking for people to help with the fundraiser, I jumped at the chance,” says Rama.

 

 

Bringing people together to celebrate performance, dance, food and culture is at the heart of the NCC’s annual event.

“I was thrilled to see so many people from the Filipino community coming together to have such a great night. It was wonderful to be able to help with the food; it’s an aspect of Filipino culture where we place a great deal of importance. Sharing your experiences, your heritage and the love you have for your home country with the community at large was so meaningful for me. I’m so happy I had the chance to get involved.” – Edward Rama

 

 

Volunteering their time to help make the celebration a memorable event was an opportunity for Ed Kloosterman and Val Anderson to support the kind of community they wish to continue to live in.

“We welcome human diversity and culture. And of course the food at One Night in the Philippines was fantastic, the music was lively and the dance floor was full – all night long. It was an evening full of laughter and joy!” – Val Anderson.

 

 

Chair of the celebration committee, Carmela Valles says when she first arrived as an international student at Trent University in 1990, she was one of two students from the Philippines.

“Everyone will tell you that Peterborough now is very different from Peterborough then. What has not changed is everyone’s need to feel welcome and that they belong here. When you can share your culture and have others celebrate with you, you feel welcome. You feel like you belong.” – Carmela Valles

 

Featuring the Northumberland Multicultural Dance Troupe headed by Thelma Dillon, the event celebrated traditional forms of Filipino dance combined with the contemporary sound of the dynamic five-piece band EZRock from Toronto.

 

 

 

---

The New Canadians Centre is grateful for the commitment of our sponsors:

 

Thank You to our generous auction sponsors: