July 1, 2026 — Every community has a heartbeat, and ours is found in our preserved traditions and the Canadian Filipino experience. It lives in the traditions we refuse to leave behind, and it breathes in the threads we weave into our new homes every day.
Your story is a vital part of Canadian history. For this reason, we are inviting readers to contribute their stories to our digital archive. We want to highlight your voice, your struggles, and your triumphs.
We are pleased to introduce this vision through a new digital space on CanadianFilipino.Net, and it’s called “Filipino Canadian Voices”.
This initiative is intended to be inclusive of all ages and backgrounds. This space is for you to share authentic experiences, regardless of where your journey started. Whether your journey began with a flight across the ocean, or your roots were planted here from day one, you may write in English or a combination of English and Tagalog (Taglish). Your perspective is important, and your story deserves recognition.
Launching this story-sharing section on Canada Day is significant. It underscores that our experiences of establishing Canadian roots, preserving cultural heritage, and maintaining a strong work ethic, are integral to the nation.
As CanadianFilipino.Net enters its second decade, we look forward to sharing your story with our readers and the rest of the world.
Meet our Section Editor Dr. Rey Pagtakhan
Long before Canadian Filipinos held major leadership roles across our provinces, one trailblazer paved the way. We are honored to have the Hon. Dr. Rey D. Pagtakhan as the Editor of our new community stories section.
For younger generations navigating life in Canada today, Dr. Pagtakhan's legacy is the blueprint. He made history in 1988 as the first-ever Canadian of Filipino origin elected to Parliament, later serving as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and a Cabinet Minister. Before shaping Canadian laws and policies in Ottawa, he was a distinguished professor and children's lung specialist. As a lifelong member of Our Privy Council for Canada (P.C.), Dr. Pagtakhan has dedicated his life to community advocacy and representation. By agreeing to serve as our section editor, he is passing the torch to the next generation — ensuring that every Canadian Filipino story, from grassroots triumphs to institutional leadership, is preserved with the dignity it deserves.
Guidelines for contributions
CanadianFilipino.Net is a platform for diverse voices and perspectives.
- Submissions must include the name of the author. We do not accept anonymous offers. The use of pseudonyms is not allowed. We want to get to know you. We look forward to building a long-term relationship with you. CanadianFilipino.ca reserves the right to edit, shorten, or refuse any contribution.
- Contributions should be around 1,000-1,200 words.
- Contributors are encouraged to provide an image or photograph relevant to the article, which is not subject to copyright. Authors should also submit a headshot photo of themselves to accompany their bio. Please tell us about yourself in 100-200 words.
- Use Canadian spellings (labour, behaviour, flavour, neighbour)
- Spell out numbers under ten. Use figures for those 10 and above.
- No st, nd, rd, or th on numbers in dates: February 1, not February 1st. No :00 for exact hours. Use a.m. and p.m. (The call began at 11 a.m. Not 11:00 a.m., not 11 AM)
- The use of anonymous sources is not allowed. People speaking in the article should be properly identified by their full name and description.
For submissions of articles and images:
Canadian Filipino Net is an independent, non-profit digital magazine produced by volunteer writers, editors, and webmasters. Your donation will go a long way so we can continuously publish stories about Canadian Filipinos. Click on a donate button and proceed either through PayPal, Debit, or Credit Card.
