Lethbridge Filipino Heritage Festival 2026

Posted on July 16, 2026 by Ryan Dahlman

By S.C. Baysa
Pinoy Hour

A noteworthy event for the Filipino community in Southern Alberta has taken place with the 6th Lethbridge Filipino Heritage Festival held at Henderson Lake. 

The Filipino Canadian Association of Lethbridge Alberta (FCALA) organized this annual celebration with its traditional flair as the first weekend of July 2026 approached. With temperatures reaching a pleasant 25 degrees on July 4 and 5, this created another summer full of memorable celebrations and community connections. 

The local talents illuminated the stage with their glamour and skills, showcasing the capabilities of the community. To elevate the event to a star-studded affair, special guests were included, such as Jeremiah, a trio of singers from the Philippines who gained popularity in the 1990s, serenading the audience with their beloved hit songs. Furthermore, an exceptional dance performance was showcased by Jason and Joshua Zamora from the renowned dance group The Manoeuvres, captivating the audience with an hour of vibrant dancing. 

As the performers showcased their talents, attendees had the opportunity to shop from numerous local vendors and sponsors offering a wide selection of delectable foods and products, allowing them to enjoy the tastes of the Philippines in conjunction with local dishes during the festival, while also experiencing cultural dances and songs presented on stage. 

Lethbridge’s City Councillor and representative for the Filipino community, Rufa Doria mentioned: “This is not only a celebration of showcasing our heritage, but it is a celebration wherein we are showcasing how united the Filipino community is. So we are proud that we are trying to unite everyone through our sportsmanship, through our dancing, through our cultural traditions so we are happy and very proud to celebrate the Filipino heritage month.” 

Lethbridge’s Mayor Blaine Hyggen conveyed this message to the community: “I wanted to give a huge shout out to Vic and his team and everybody the volunteers that are here make this happen and also to all of the different folks that are here supporting the event. Support them because without them, things like this don’t happen.” 

A number of other leaders and community members who attended the event included Lethbridge West MLA, Rob Miyashiro; Lethbridge Councillors Al Beeber and Jenn Schmidt-Rempel; Lethbridge Chief of Police, Shahin Mehdizadeh; Alberta Sheriff, Dallas Williams; AFCLA (Alberta Fil Can Leaders Association) President, Jun Cacayuran and many others who joined to celebrate. 

President of the FCALA, Vic Lester Vistacion offered his gratitude, saying: “I would like to thank all of our sponsors, volunteers and the community. This event wouldn’t be happening without your support. We’d like to thank all of you and we hope you’ll be able to support us each and every year. To all our new friends and acquaintances, welcome.”