TOMMY DE GUIA

Tommy de Guia is a cultural events leader dedicated to positioning Brampton as a vibrant tourism and multicultural destination. He is the founder and president of Philippine FACES Inc. and the festival director of Brampton Fiesta Extravaganza, one of the city’s largest cultural celebrations.

From 2012 to 2024, Tommy was actively involved with the Philippine Festival Mississauga, contributing to programming, marketing, vendor management, and grant development. He also served as executive vice president of Kalayaan Cultural Community Centre and vice president of volunteer management for the Project Management Institute Southern Ontario Chapter. 

He is also the founder and executive director of the Musika Children’s Chorus, advancing accessible arts education and cultural engagement across the region.

Von Canton is the president & founder of Philippine Extravaganza for the Arts, Culture, and Heritage and the current president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce Toronto. A dedicated community leader, he works to strengthen cultural and business connections within the Filipino-Canadian community. At Brampton Fiesta Extravaganza, he helps lead the festival while managing sponsor partnerships and ensuring successful partner engagement.

Susan Tanpoco is the founder of RST Productions and a community arts organizer dedicated to promoting Filipino music and cultural programming in Ontario. She currently serves as Manager, Engineering | Business Banking Platform – Global Technology & Solutions at TD Bank Group. At Brampton Fiesta Extravaganza, Susan leads cultural programming and works closely with artists and performers to bring Filipino arts and heritage to the festival stage.

Hector German is an experienced event production professional specializing in live music and festival technical operations. He oversees stage production, sound and lighting coordination, and technical logistics to ensure smooth and professional performances. At Brampton Fiesta Extravaganza, Hector leads the technical team to deliver high-quality live event experiences for artists and audiences.

Joel Santiago is a hospitality and operations professional currently serving as Director of Engineering at ACE Hotel Toronto. With extensive experience in facilities management, vendor coordination, and regulatory compliance, he brings strong operational leadership to the festival. At Brampton Fiesta Extravaganza, Joel oversees vendor operations and ensures all vendors meet required standards for safe and well-organized event delivery.

Jegma Dimaano is a media and communications professional known for her community‑focused storytelling and commitment to elevating Filipino Canadian voices. She is a columnist at Atin Ito News, where she contributes articles, supports editorial coordination, and helps highlight cultural events and local achievements within the Filipino community.

As media & communications manager for the project, Jegma oversees media outreach, artist promotion, and audience engagement. Her journalism experience and strong community connections make her an essential contributor to the visibility and success of emerging Filipino artists.

Arnel Caballes serves as the Community Relations & Protocol Director for Brampton Fiesta Extravaganza, where he leads engagement with community organizations, cultural groups, and government representatives.

He coordinates the invitation and participation of elected officials, dignitaries, and community leaders, helping strengthen partnerships that support the festival’s celebration of Filipino arts, culture, and heritage. Arnel also oversees protocol for the festival’s opening ceremony and serves as Parade Marshal, ensuring a welcoming and well-organized ceremonial program that reflects the spirit of unity and cultural pride.

Lenore (de Leon) Zara is an Industrial Engineer and PMP-certified project management professional currently working with FedEx. She brings strong organizational and operational expertise to the festival, overseeing volunteer recruitment, training, scheduling, and on-site coordination. Lenore ensures volunteers are well-prepared and supported, helping deliver a smooth and well-organized festival experience.

Gino de Guia serves as the Event Operations Manager for Brampton Fiesta Extravaganza, overseeing site logistics and operational coordination to ensure the smooth delivery of the festival.

He manages key areas including site setup, command centre operations, sanitation, sustainability, and coordination with city inspectors, vendors, and production teams. His work helps ensure a safe, efficient, and well-organized festival experience for attendees, performers, and partners.

Marilou Alforque Magalang serves as the Finance, Reporting & Compliance Manager for Brampton Fiesta Extravaganza, overseeing financial tracking, reporting, and compliance to support transparent and accountable festival operations.

She brings experience in budget management, reporting, and project coordination through her roles in healthcare and communications, including her work at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). Marilou is also a Board Director of Musika Children’s Chorus and has a strong background in community engagement, having helped found the Filipino Organization of Concordia University Students (FOCUS). Her combined expertise ensures effective financial oversight and supports the festival’s commitment to excellence and community impact.