Megan visits Vancouver
Walking a mile in Kapuso star Megan Young’s shoes would certainly be quite the adventure with all the beautiful places she has been to.
Apart from her travels during her historic and celebrated reign as the first Filipina to win Miss World in 2013, Megan has become an enviable jetsetter with her Instagram account (@meganbata) featuring many of the picturesque destinations she has visited both in and out of the country – some of these with longtime rumored boyfriend and fellow Kapuso star Mikael Daez.
Just this year, the actress and beauty queen has brought smiles to thousands of her fellow Filipinos abroad as she joined GMA’s flagship international channel GMA Pinoy TV in celebrating the country’s heritage in various Filipino communities all over the world.
After celebrating the 118th Philippine Independence Day in Kuwait and Carson City, California earlier this year, Megan recently flew to Canada to banner the Pinoy Fiesta Vancouver last Aug. 16. Organized by the Philippine Canadian Cultural Society, the annual fiesta is Canada’s biggest and most anticipated cultural event highlighting the rich history and culture of the Philippines.
“I felt really happy that GMA Pinoy TV got me for these Filipino events in one year,” shares Megan. “It’s kind of like reminiscing back to when I did Miss World and you’d be traveling to different countries all the time.”
“But meeting with the Filipinos in these different areas, it’s nice because nakikita mo talaga kung papaano sila nagtatrabaho abroad. Some of them have families there, some of them are alone and nagpapadala sila ng pera dito sa Pilipinas,” she explains. “So you get to see the hard work of the overseas Filipino workers and also of Filipinos who reside abroad — how their life has changed so much, but at the same time, they still go back to their roots and they never forget the Philippines.”
Megan sees these events as a very important factor in raising a family abroad and keeping the Filipino spirit alive. “Sometimes they choose to base their families there. And siyempre ibang kultura talaga yung kinalakihan ng mga anak nila. So I think it’s great to bring their kids to these events, to show them this is how the Philippines is, this is what our culture is like. Even that in itself, you can get values by learning through the people there. And you know it’s great to have that kasi you go back to where you’re from talaga.” A crowd of over 5,000 came out for the Pinoy Fiesta held at the Memorial South Park in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Some of the attendees even came from distant cities outside the Greater Vancouver areas, as well as the United States just to join in the festivities.
Megan also met with the fiesta-goers after the show, with thousands lining up to have a picture with her. It was a truly memorable experience for the Kapuso star as she realized how much these events touched those who are far from their home country.
“I think the fiestas alone do that for them — when the Filipino artists go abroad for GMA Pinoy TV. It gives them that little “close to home” factor. These fiestas not only bring personalities from the Philippines there but they also showcase ’ yung mga Filipino food
natin. You have the cultural dances and the Filipino songs — so it’s a mix of everything into one. And it’s great to have that all in one place,” she shares.
Indeed, it has been GMA Pinoy TV’s mission for the last 11 years to bring Filipinos abroad closer to home, be it through the Kapuso programs shown on our three international channels, GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV and GMA News TV International, or the myriad of GMA Pinoy TV events that are held year-round all across the world.
Of course, Megan’s trip would not be complete without some sightseeing as she took some personal time to visit friends and see some of the beautiful places in Canada.
“We got to swing by Lynn Canyon. We went there to see the suspension bridge. And there was a pool area,” she says. “And I visited my friend and his girlfriend. I stayed with them for a night so that was really nice. It was nice to see friends when I travel.”
It has certainly been a busy but exciting 2016 for Megan with her trips abroad and her starring role in the comedy series
Conan My Beautician with Mark Herras. She has also begun taping for the new primetime series premiering in the latter part of this year Alyas Robin Hood with Dingdong Dantes and Andrea Torres.
Despite her busy schedule, the GMA actress is looking forward to sharing more time with her fellow Kapuso abroad. “I can’t wait to visit the other areas. I know that GMA Pinoy TV is starting to really promote itself in Europe so hopefully I can see the Filipinos in Europe naman,” says Megan.
Long after her reign as Miss World, Megan surely continues to be an inspiring individual for her kababayan both here and abroad because of her heart and humility, as well as her talents and achievements, be it through her presence online, on TV, or up close.