Emailed for posting by Chat Bautista  (ANCOP Media)

With one mind and heart, donors, partners, volunteers and people from all walks of life, trooped to Nathan Philips Square in downtown Toronto to participate the 2010 ANCOP WALK. The scourging heat failed to dampen the blazing passion in the hearts of the people as they walk for a great cause – to build shelter for the poor and to provide quality education to the needy children.

The 2010 Walk started with a program emceed by the great tandem of Sunny Paragas and Chat Bautista followed by a short prayer led by Deacon Alex Masunsong. The Canadian and Philippine national anthems were sung by Vonnie Beltran and Josie de Leon respectively. Ancop President Temi Pangilinan and Mabuhay representative Ben Ferrer welcomed all the walk participants. Our very own Philippine Consul General Minerva Falcon gave a very inspiring speech, rallying walk participants to never get tired of helping the poor. The pre-walk program provided a showcase of talents from the Gonzales Brothers, BLD and Clariz chorale, PIDC group and Vonnie Beltran. Ms. Josie de Leon hyped up the participants with the rendition of “GET ON YOU FEET” while Mirasol Laurel led the warm up exercise

Right after the program, the participants, holding on to their  inspiring placards and colourful banners, lined up to start the 4-kilometer walk wearing their free caps and fans courtesy of TFC, one of the major sponsors of the Walk. The placards and banners showcased several ANCOP programs that are being provided to the poorest of the poor like; shelter, value formation, community development, child education, health and others. The Walk was led by the vibrant and colourful Sinulog dancers accompanied by musical rhythms played out from the ganza instruments by representatives of Culture Philippines of Ontario. The PIDC group carrying a large Philippine flag and the Mabuhay Cultural float merged with the ANCOP marchers towards the intersection of Armoury Street. The air was festive and joyful as the walkers continue chanting different ANCOP slogans throughout the stretch of the walk. The walk provided the sights of jubilant crowd, pageantry, sounds, and vibrancy that tourists are looking for in downtown Toronto. One can see the appreciation and support as video cameras roll and cameras flash from all sides as the walk progresses. As the marchers reach the finish line, they were treated to a flowing supply of free sweet bread Ensaymada courtesy of BISTRO FILIPINO.


This year’s walk also marks our support in the City of Toronto’s “Live Green Toronto” campaign to save the environment. Walk participants were encouraged not to bring disposable bottled water and instead use reusable drinking containers. Clean and cool waters from refilling stations were made available to all the walkers.

Despite the long walk, the smiles on the faces of the walkers continued as they were treated to post-walk program of different songs from the CFC Brampton Choir and the winners of the Little Miss PIDC.

The energy and surprises did not end there as different prizes were raffled courtesy of the sponsors.  The winners of the best placard contest were also announced with Jessie Yap, Maysie Bautista and Malou Reyes emerging as winners.

This year’s ANCOP Walk chairman Alex and Dorie Ascano together with Ancop’s President Temi Pangilinan, would like to extend their warmest appreciation and thank you to all the partners; Couples for Christ, Bukas Loob sa Diyos Prayer Community, Clariz, FRNAO, PIDC and the Mabuhay group for their  help in making the event a huge success. Also to all the sponsors, The Filipino Channel (TFC), New Wave Travel , Bistro Filipino, Front Page Philippines, Royal LePage Innovators, Irma Cuenca Real Estate Brokers and all those who donated giveaways, gifts and prizes for the raffle. A special thank you goes to all the indefatigable volunteers who gave their time and effort to the success of the walk. Special mention is given to the group from CFC Windsor who drove more than 400 kilometers just to join us in the Walk.

The walk ended with a thanksgiving prayer led by Bro. Jun Clarito of Couples for Christ, echoing the message that the event is not just about raising funds but moreso on the joy and fulfillment that we have in our hearts knowing that we have helped transformed the lives of the poor.

See you all in 2011 ANCOP WALK!

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