As an aging journalist, I rarely find myself attending big community events these days, but the recent Hotdog Band concert at the Toronto Pavilion drew me in. Before the show began, I walked around the venue—and what I saw genuinely surprised me. The whole place pulsed with life. Vendors sold everything from desserts, barbecue, and coffee to condo units, college programs, and even a small stand offering assorted eggs—itlog maalat, penoy, and balut.
Scenes like these always remind me of the Filipino spirit of enterprise. Filipinos have a natural instinct for business—they know where to go, where people gather, and where opportunities quietly open. It reinforces something I’ve long believed: as Nick Joaquin once observed, Filipinos often “think small,” yet we manage to turn even the smallest idea into something workable. Back home, sari-sari stores and micro-vending are everywhere. A little profit goes a long way—and for many families, that “small” business is still a business worth keeping.
Before the concert started, people bought snacks, filled their stomachs, and chatted as they ate. Those simple interactions kept every stall busy, once again showing how Filipino microbusiness thrives wherever our community gathers.
(Photo caption: Karen Quibuyen with her mother, Mely}
One booth that caught my attention sold custom-made barong and bayong. But the most unexpected discovery was meeting Karen, who was manning the balut stall. When I asked where they sourced their itik eggs, she told me they came from a farm right here in Toronto. They process the eggs themselves—turning them into balut, itlog maalat, and penoy.
Many Filipino customers were stunned.
“Did you bring the eggs from the Philippines?” they often asked.
Karen would smile and reply, “No, we make them here in Canada. We get the eggs from a privately owned farm—we just use plain water and salt.”
Unlike in the Philippines, where mud is traditionally part of the curing method, they keep the process simpler here.
Karen shared that her mother, Mely, originally from Pateros, taught her everything about making balut and salted eggs—even how to tell male eggs from female ones. For now, their small business serves Filipino communities across the Greater Toronto Area, especially around Bathurst where many kababayan live. They produce the eggs, supply distributors, and occasionally sell directly to customers.
Another stall, Aki’s Bayong, displayed beautifully handmade bayong—custom-made, made to order, wholesale, and retail. They also offered ready-to-wear Barong Tagalog for both men and women, along with well-lit parols that added color and warmth to the area.
Of course, several stalls offered beloved Filipino kakanin—banana cue, turon, bibingka, taho, barbecue, and other desserts. They were busy feeding hungry guests waiting for the concert to begin.
Knowing the large crowd that Hotdog Band would draw, one table was set up to promote condominium units sale in the Philippines—an appealing option for those with extra income looking to invest back home. Also present was a small booth from CRD College of Health Care, offering programs for food service workers, developmental service workers, health care aides, and personal support workers.
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Hotdog’s Band Music & Memories Concert — A Huge Success
When I watched Hotdog’s Band Music & Memories concert at the Toronto Pavilion recently, my attention was immediately drawn to Mon Torralba—the heart, soul, and steady anchor of the group.
From the moment the show began, he carried it with confidence, energy, and that unmistakable charm that longtime fans know so well.
He moved with a vigor that seemed to defy his years. The way he strummed his guitar, the way his gestures synced perfectly with every beat—he looked every inch the performer he has always been. His stamina, spirit, and the joy he poured into each song lit up the entire stage.
The Pavilion was packed, a clear sign that Hotdog still commands a loyal following. And it wasn’t just gray-haired baby boomers who filled the seats—there were many middle-aged fans as well. Hotdog’s music has clearly crossed generations; its appeal remains timeless.
So when the band launched into classics like “Pers Lab,” “Ikaw ang Miss Universe ng Buhay Ko,” and “Bongga Ka Day,” the crowd could no longer stay still. People stood, danced, swayed, stomped their feet, and let themselves be carried away by nostalgia and rhythm.
Watching the audience’s excitement, the band’s undeniable energy, and the solid support of Ella del Rosario, Jess Garcia, and Lorrie Ilustre, I couldn’t help but feel one thing:
Mon Torralba is far from done—surely, another concert is on the way.**********