Event Details

The Kalayaan Filipino Cultural Organization (KFCO) known simply as Kalayaan, used to be the umbrella organization of all Filipino groups in Mississauga and environs. It was created in February 1983 initiated by eight Filipino associations in Peel Region as they joined hands in celebrating the year’s Philippine Independence as one unified group, aiming towards a strong solidarity among Filipino-Canadians within the community.

It was registered as a non-profit organization on August 16, 1995. On July 11, 1998, Kalayaan went into high gear for the centennial Celebration held at Skydome (now Rogers Centre). It was an unprecedented success with a gathering of sixty-plus Filipino organizations, and some 30,000 attending the celebration, $120,000 net was realized from this event, and KFCO earmarked this amount for the purchase of a community centre. A year later (1999), Kalayaan Cultural Community Centre (KCCC) started its operation.

The primary aim of KFCO is to commemorate the declaration of the Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898, thereby celebrating it with flying colours every 12th of June or before or after the actual date. This is the best time guests and members are in their best Filipiniana, barong and terno attires.

This application is for the “2024 Philippine Festival Mississauga”, taking place mainly in Celebration Square September 13 to 15, 2024. Other venues include the Kalayaan Cultural Community Centre, Mississauga City Hall, and C-banquet. The Festival will include traditional music, dance performances, and culinary offerings from the Philippines. Programming will also include cultural exhibits, interactive workshops, and a parade showcasing the diversity of Filipino heritage. Programming details include:

(1) One daily top-tier celebrity performance on September 14 and 15;

(2) Cultural performances from Culture Philippines of Ontario (CPO), Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe (FFDT), Musika Children’s Chorus (MCC), a Fashion Show featuring Filipino Ternos and live music at either the City Hall Atrium lobby or C-banquets;

(3) “Battle of the Bands” qualifying rounds at a Filipino restaurants in Mississauga (tbd) with the winner gets to perform on the main stage of Mississauga Celebration Square;

(4) A singing contest elimination round called “Voice of Kalayaan” for kids aged 7 to 14, with the top 3 going to the final round at the MCS main stage at the Kalayaan Cultural Community Centre;

(5) A board game tournament at the City Hall Atrium Café; and

(6) New interactive activities for kids at the Kids Village Area and seniors at the lower square and the upper raised garden of Celebration Square.