Community

The word “barangay” is deeply rooted in Filipino culture.

Literally translated, it means “village”. More than just a unit of governance, it evokes a sense of community.

How much of the earth does each of us use? Of the 51 billion hectares of the earth’s surface, only 12 billion of it are “biologically productive”, meaning that less than a quarter at 23% of the earth’s surface provides resources and treats waste for over six billion people. Each living person has less than two hectares to use in his lifetime. This calculation does not consider the needs of plants and animals that number at least another 10 million. Nor does it consider future generations.

Individuals can start saving the planet from overheating in their garages, kitchens, and dining-room tables. The more stuff you own, and the more you travel, the more fossils fuels are burned, and the more greenhouse gases are emitted into the planet.  Modern activities— such as plugging in devices, driving cars, and cooling homes—often rely on energy sources such as natural gas, oil, and coal. Those energy sources release CO2into the atmosphere.

The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) recently launched the 2020 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas.

The Presidential Awards takes place every other year to honor and recognize overseas Filipinos, individuals or organizations who contribute to Philippine development initiatives, or promote the interests of overseas Filipino communities.

People attending the Vancouver Island Cordillera Association’s (VICA) Grand Cañao at the Canadian Legion Building in Langford, Victoria, British Columbia on July 27, 2019 sat at tables, not around a crackling fire as tradition would dictate.  

No less than a Filipino artist created a bigger than life sculpture of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal.

Mogi Mogado, a self-taught artist and Rizalist, built the statue that now stands on the grounds of Luneta Gardens located at the Boxgrove Community Park in Markham, Ontario.

“What is that lovely smell?” was a comment heard over and over at the Centennial Square in Victoria, British Columbia, on June 15. Even before the official start at 10 a.m. of Mabuhay, the Filipino Canadian community of Victoria’s yearly observance of Philippine Independence Day, unusual smells, sights and sounds filled the air, enticing people to stay and watch and eat, smile and even dance.

On March 31, 2019, the Dave Dunnet Community Theater of Oak Bay High School in Victoria, B.C. was filled with the sound of gongs, bamboo poles striking against each other, the thudding of numerous feet jumping and dancing and the alternatively joyful and plaintive sounds of singing. The sounds were coming from an hour-and-a –half long cultural presentation that the Victoria Filipino Canadian Association (VFCA) was holding to mark 50 years since its founding in February 1969.

We are looking for passionate Canadian Filipinos who want to raise the profile of Filipinos in Canada by providing news and views about Canadian Filipino communities across the country.

A new organization representing Canadian Filipino dental hygienists launched on February 10 this year.

In October, the Filipino Students Association at the University of Ottawa launched Pinoys on Parliament (POP), a conference aimed at young Filipino-Canadians.

Celebrating is a huge part of our Filipino identity. The start of Christmas observance alone in the “ber” months starting in September long before Advent Season and ending in the second Sunday of January – a total of four and a half months – is proof positive of this celebratory culture.