13 October 2004 – Several top caliber Filipino-Canadian artists will be featured in the cultural performances at the Asian festival dubbed The Road to Asia: A Celebration of Asian Culture on 06 to 07 November 2004 at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre in Toronto, according to a report of the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The event host, the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre Foundation, has prepared several activities which consist of live cultural performances, arts and crafts display and sales booths, food court and martial arts demonstrations from the Philippines, Tibet, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Laos, Japan, Indonesia, China and Republic of Korea.  Featured Filipino performers in the two-day festival are Dexter Macaraeg, Cultural Officer at the Consulate General, broadway artists Leander Mendoza and Karen Tan, one of Toronto’s popular cultural ensemble Folklorico Filipino Canada, and arnis, escrima and kali martial arts masters.

“As part of the Department of Foreign Affairs’ cultural diplomacy program, the Consulate General has joined hands with other Asian Consulates General as well with various associations and establishments in Toronto to make this event meaningful. I extend my warmest invitation to the Filipino community here to participate in this annual festival to witness the performances of talented Filipino artists and take pride with the Philippine culture,” Consul General Alejandro Mosquera said. END