Celebrating culture a family affair

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This article was published 31/07/2017 (3017 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

If there’s one value Jon and Jennifer Omaga have tried to teach their daughters, Kennedy and Kelsey, it’s that there’s beauty in everyone.

“We raised them to be proud of who they are, but to realize this world is big, there are different cultures, and to explore and enjoy every culture out there,” Jon says.

The family members celebrate their Filipino heritage, and they get exposed to other cultures as volunteers at Folklorama.

For the past 14 years, the family has been involved with the festival, which celebrates global culture through live entertainment and cuisine at more than 40 pavilions throughout the city.

This year, Folklorama starts Sunday and runs until Aug. 19.

For the second year in a row, Jon is co-co-ordinator of the Pearl of the Orient Philippine pavilion and helps to ensure things run smoothly. He also liaises between Folklorama and Magdaragat Philippines Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Filipino culture, which sponsors the pavilion.

Working with the 250 volunteers involved in the pavilion is meaningful for Jon, 40.

“The week before Folklorama can be stressful, but when it starts, everyone comes together and everyone knows what they’re supposed to do,” he says.

Jon and Jennifer first got involved with Folklorama when, at the age of seven, Kennedy joined the dance group that performs at the pavilion. Kelsey, who has memories of being at Folklorama as a two-year-old, followed in Kennedy’s footsteps when she turned seven. She has volunteered her time dancing at Folklorama ever since.

Now 15, Kelsey is one of two youth ambassador generals who were chosen last July to represent Folklorama at events in the community and in the media leading up to Folklorama 2017.

“I’ve been involved in Folklorama my whole life and it’s become such an important part of who I am and what I do,” Kelsey says. “I thought it would be neat to apply to be an ambassador general and represent such a great festival.”

She values the close relationships she’s formed with her fellow dancers.

“For me, our dancing group has become… like a family,” Kelsey says. “It’s a place I can go be myself, have fun and learn more about my culture.”

One of the most meaningful aspects of dancing at the pavilion is going into the audience after the performance and greeting people in the crowd.

“They have nothing but positive things to say, and they ask questions,” Kelsey says. “It really makes me feel good to know we’re helping people to become more educated about different cultures.”

Jon says volunteering at Folklorama with his wife and daughters each year is special.

“It’s great, especially now that the kids are getting older and they’re more independent,” he says. “Folklorama gives us this opportunity to work together toward the same goal.”

Folklorama is still looking for volunteers. Anyone interested in volunteering at a pavilion can visit folklorama.ca/volunteers.

If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron.epp@gmail.com.