In the midst of all the excitement surrounding the Toronto International Film Festival, another festivity was stirring up a colourful celebration in a small part of the city which is better known as Cabbagetown. It may not have the calibre of Toronto’s Entertainment District but it is a documented fact that mega star Denzel Washington worked-out in Cabbagetown Boxing Club while filming a movie in Toronto.
True to the old saying: The show must go on! The early morning rain failed to dampen the spirit of the Annual Cabbagetown Festival Parade. The wet asphalt of Parliament Street produced a beautiful reflection of the Toronto Mounted Police marching the lead. The horses trott
ed gracefully with the piercing sound of the bagpipes in the background. From a short distance, an old classic car rolled slowly to show off one of the world-class athletes of Cabbagetown, Lisa “Bad News” Brown, the IFBA World Junior Featherweight Champion. This feisty lady can prove herself to be a beast in the boxing ring but Toronto’s Miss Manila, Erin Caluducan was no doubt the beauty of Cabbagetown that Saturday morning.
ed gracefully with the piercing sound of the bagpipes in the background. From a short distance, an old classic car rolled slowly to show off one of the world-class athletes of Cabbagetown, Lisa “Bad News” Brown, the IFBA World Junior Featherweight Champion. This feisty lady can prove herself to be a beast in the boxing ring but Toronto’s Miss Manila, Erin Caluducan was no doubt the beauty of Cabbagetown that Saturday morning.
The rhythmic beat of the Chinese drums reverberated on every lamp post on the street. They were loud. But not loud enough to silence the screaming colours of the Filipino Centre logo. The waves of banners from the Filipino community made a resounding statement that we as Filipinos can stand united and proudly declare our spot in Canada’s mosaic of multi-cultural society.
In the sea of people flooding the street, stood out an American flag carried by a smiling USAFFE war veteran, Mr. Efigenio Doro
teo 
of Cebu. His blue suit and matching cap were adorned with medals and buttons of recognition for his list of impressive achievements. While most men of his age were sitting idly, drinking coffee at Tim Horton’s, Gene (his Canadian nickname) was marching and defying the old age syndrome. Amazingly, his 86 year old legs could still keep-up with the pace of the parade.
teo 
of Cebu. His blue suit and matching cap were adorned with medals and buttons of recognition for his list of impressive achievements. While most men of his age were sitting idly, drinking coffee at Tim Horton’s, Gene (his Canadian nickname) was marching and defying the old age syndrome. Amazingly, his 86 year old legs could still keep-up with the pace of the parade.
Towards the end of the parade, the old veteran was getting tired and held on to my left arm as we walked slowly together and engaged in a lively conversation. “During the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, I was a Technical Sergeant in the Signal Corps of the United States Armed Forces in the Far East. “, he said in reply to my query. I also learned that “Tatay” Gene is also immensely active in many prestigious organizations such as American Legion, Royal Canadian Legion, Knights of Rizal, Knights of Columbus, Maharlika 7488, San Lorenzo Ruiz 8809, Daughters of Isabella, Squirettes of Mary and Columbia Squires.
The Saturday morning with our “kababayans” at Cabbagetown was more than worthy of my time. I walked along Parliament Street feeling proud as a Filipino.
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