Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow taught a crowd of hundreds how to say bayanihan and mabuhay at Scarborough Town Centre‘s (STC) first Filipino celebration Mabuhay Scarborough Filipino Fiesta on Saturday, June 6, 2026.
“Mabuhay stands for long life and hospitality—meaning that you welcome everyone—no matter who you are, where you come from, what language, what country,” the mayor said.
“We are all welcome here in toronto, and right here in Scarborough, so mabuhay to all of you,” she said.
The mayor then asked the packed crowd in the mall’s centre court to turn to their neighbour and say mabuhay to each other.
“Let me make sure the manager of the mall can hear us, this is so much fun. It’s so great to see you all here,” the mayor said.
Chow then talked about her parents—her mother in particular—and how hard her mother worked to take care of her family.
“My mom was a school teacher back in her home country in Hong Kong. She came here and her language was pretty poor,” the mayor said.
“She worked in a hotel as a maid.”
The mayor then talked about Toronto being a city full of immigrants, and that the Filipino community is full of dynamic entrepreneurs, artists, health care providers, and community builders all coming together.
“Everyday you show us bayanihan,” she said.
Chow again turned to the crowd to say bayanihan to each other, and explained the meaning of the word.
“It means that when we work together, that spirit of coming together, that sharing—we can accomplish anything. Let us show each other bayanihan.”
Jesse Asido, the first Filipino to get a star in Scarborough’s Walk of Fame, also spoke at the event and thanked the organizers.
Karen Calibuso-Kwa, marketing manager at Scarborough Town Centre, “worked tirelessly behind the scenes,” Asido said. “The celebration would not be the same without her.”
“This is a labour of love,” Chow said. “Whether you’re the dance performance group, or the singing crew, this fiesta is really all about bringing all of us together.”
With traditional Filipino dance performances, singing, breakdancing, vendor booths and a jeepney photo moment, the inaugural Filipino festival delighted the crowd.
A huge draw after the program was the jeepney installation at Centre Court, where the crowd lined up for a chance to have their photos taken with the iconic Filipino transportation.
“Inspired by the iconic jeepneys of the Philippines—colourful vehicles recognized as one of the country’s most beloved and recognizable forms of public transportation, known for their bold designs, lively character, and sense of community,” the event website stated.
