03 July 2026 – The City of Calgary officially launched the annual Calgary Stampede with its signature Stampede Parade which featured colorful floats from various sectors – business and multicultural community organizations. In its third consecutive year, the Philippine Consulate General in Calgary partnered with Fiesta Filipino by showcasing this year’s theme: “Panagbenga” to over 300,000 tourists from all over Canada and other parts of North America.
Inspired by Baguio City’s Panagbenga Festival, the Fiesta Filipino float transformed a piece of downtown Calgary into a moving garden of vibrant blooms. Covered in colorful floral arrangements and distinctly Filipino design elements, the float brought the spirit of the country’s famous Flower Festival to the Stampede Parade route. More than a decorative display, it offered spectators a glimpse of the creativity, color and festive character of Philippine fiestas.
Participation in the Stampede Parade serves as an important platform to strengthen the visibility of Philippine culture and promote greater cultural appreciation and people-to-people ties between Filipinos and Canadians. It also provides a space for the Filipino-Canadian community to share the warmth, hospitality, and joy that define Filipino culture and love for fiestas.
The Panegbenga-inspired float, together with the energy and enthusiasm of the Association of Kalinga Residents in Alberta (AKRA), Cebu Sinulog Cultural Society of Edmonton, M2Z Fil-Can Active Social Club, members of the Philippine Consulate General in Calgary, and Fiesta Filipino sponsors, was recognized with the Best Parade Spirit Award – an honor that celebrates not only the visual appeal of the Panagbenga-inspired float but also the the enthusiasm and joy brought by the Filipino contingent to one of Calgary’s most anticipated annual events. END
(Photos courtesy of Fiesta Filipino and Al Gamilla Photography)
