Meet our 2025 Ambassadors General

Each year, four individuals from our ethno-cultural communities compete to be Folklorama’s Ambassadors General. We are SO excited to finally formally introduce our 2025 Ambassadors General.

Listed below from left to right.

Bisman Randhawa

Growing up in multicultural Winnipeg, Folklorama has become Bisman’s passport to see the world.  

As a young individual with a deep interest in advocacy and youth empowerment, she has made it her mission to leave a mark on her community. As her school’s Student Council Co-President and Sikh Heritage Committee’s Vice President, Bisman has sought to unite students through celebrations. Inspired by her immigrant mother’s resilience, Bisman also started her own female empowerment group, Maples4Women, to empower young voices in leadership. 

Being actively involved as a cabinet member of the Youth Parliament of Manitoba and newly appointed member of the Student Advisory Council of Manitoba, allows Bisman to champion inclusivity and self expression. 

For the past 10 years, she has experienced the vibrance of Folklorama as a visitor, volunteer, and Youth Ambassador for the Punjab Pavilion, and believes the Festival is a platform not only to celebrate our city’s diversity, but is a source of preservation for communities to bridge cultural gaps between generations. 

Anne Oserin-Pinnock

As a first-generation immigrant, Anne has extensive experience working within the newcomer sector and has collaborated on several projects addressing barriers and challenges that newcomers face.

Anne holds degrees in International Development Studies and Political Science, a post graduate certificate in International Business, and a Masters in Social Work with a particular focus on structural and institutional racism and trauma as it relates to newcomer families, women and children.

Previously an ambassador for the Pearl of Orient Philippine Pavilion, this is Anne’s 8th year volunteering with Folklorama. Currently, Anne is a supporting teacher with the Magdaragat Children’s Theatre Company and has two children that dance with the Company.

Anne enjoys music, camping, and cooking and being a dog mom to her Husky-Labrador, Hudson.

Maribel Abrenica 

As a child growing up in Northwestern Ontario, Maribel’s exposure to culture, and specifically her Filipino roots, was limited to family gatherings. When she moved to Winnipeg at the age of 14 and attended Folklorama for the first time, her heart found its home. 

Throughout the years, Maribel has performed with the Pearl of the Orient Philippine Pavilion and is currently teaching the younger group of dancers with Magdaragat Philippines Inc. 

In her professional career, Maribel has had the privilege of working at the University of Manitoba for over 17 years, most recently as a College Office Manager with the College of Rehabilitation Science. Outside of work, Maribel volunteers with SSCOPE, Kultivation Festival Inc., and Mabuhay District Inc. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family, biking, playing piano, and reading. 

Akshayha Thananjeyan

When she was three years old, Akshayha’s family immigrated from Sri Lanka to Canada where she’s been able to maintain a connection to her culture and language within the local Tamil community and Tamil Pavilion. 

Folklorama has helped Akshayha share her culture with others and kept her engaged through volunteer opportunities. She’s relished the opportunity to learn more about her culture through Folklorama, teach others about her heritage, and highlight her talents in dancing, singing, and public speaking. 

Outside of Folklorama, Akshayha is an active member of the public speaking and debate communities and has ranked at multiple national competitions. 

Currently a grade 10 student at Fort Richmond Collegiate, she also enjoys participating in the Manitoba Schools Science Symposium, writers club, Bharatanatyam (a classical Tamil dance form), and badminton.