9 July 2018, Calgary – A traditional Filipino breakfast of longganisa (Filipino-style sausage), pandesal (Filipino bread roll), scrambled eggs and fried rice with hot coffee brought together Filipinos and Canadians on a Sunday morning of 8 July 2018 during the 10-day celebration of the world-famous Calgary Stampede festival.

 

Called “Agahan” Filipino Stampede Breakfast, the event was held at the parking lot of Filipino restaurant Pacific Hut Restaurant in Southeast Calgary. The “Agahan” (Filipino word for breakfast), now on its third year, attracted about 5,500 people who came to taste Filipino foods, which stood out amidst the more common pancakes served in other parts of the city.  Local Filipino bands, singers and dancers also provided the entertainment during the event that lasted from 7 am to 10 am.

 

 

 

The parking lot of Filipino-owned Pacific Hut Restaurant was transformed into a big breakfast area serving the citizens of Calgary with Filipino foods during the annual Calgary Stampede, taking place on 6-15 July 2018, as an annual rodeo, exhibition and festival held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada in celebration of the city’s western heritage and culture.  It attracts over one million visitors per year and features one of the world's largest rodeos, a parade, stage shows, concerts, agricultural  competitions, chuckwagon racing and First Nations exhibitions. Various events and free breakfasts are held across the city during this time

 

No less than Alberta Premier Rachel Notley and Consul General Gilberto Asuque led the many federal, provincial and city government officials who came to the “Agahan” to celebrate with the Filipinos and Canadians the city’s community spirit during the Calgary Stampede. 

 

Premier Notley accompanied by members of her party Caucus including Deputy Premier Sarah Hoffman addressed the Filipinos and other attendees of the event to highlight the Proclamation signed on 01 June 2018 declaring June of each year as Philippine Heritage Month in Alberta.  The Premier reiterated the appreciation of the government of Alberta to the contributions of Filipino-Canadians to the economic, social and cultural richness of the province.

 

The “Agahan” was organized by the Philippine Fiesta Council of Alberta (PFCA) and the Pacific Hut Restaurant (owned by Filipino couple Ron and Tess Ala) together with various sponsors. PFCA also leads the celebration of the Fiesta Filipino in Calgary every September.

 

Consul General Asuque led the officers and staff of the Philippine Consulate General in Calgary who gave their full support for “Agahan.”  He thanked the organizers of the “Agahan” and the crowd that came to the event for making Filipino culture blend with the celebration of the Calgary Stampede.  He also expressed gratitude to the Government of Alberta, led by Premier Notley, for recently signing the  proclamation declaring June of each year as Philippine Heritage Month across the province.   The Consul General also challenged the Filipino organizations and their leaders to work together in organizing the month-long program to celebrate Philippine Heritage Month all over Alberta in June next year.