New FilCan Organisation Carries the Torch for Filipino Heritage Month

In 2008, when Filipino immigration to the Neepawa area was in its infancy, a group called Filtoba (Filipino Association of Southwestern Manitoba) formed. By 2010, Filtoba had become FANA (Filipino Association of Neepawa and Area), but about a decade later it had largely dissolved due to onward migration of its leadership and, of course, the influence of the pandemic. In 2022, FilCan, the Filipino-Canadian Association of Neepawa and Area, was formed, open to any person of Filipino descent, whether they were born in Canada or abroad, and whether they are a citizen, permanent resident, or temporary foreign worker.

Van Afuang, chair of FilCan, says the foremost goal of the organisation is to unite the Filipino community in the area, as well as to help to acclimate newcomers to the area. Now that FilCan has taken on the annual Filipino Heritage Month celebration, they’re making progress towards both of those things.

First observed in Canada in 2018, Filipino Heritage Month has from the very beginning been a significant event in Neepawa. The first official celebration was organised in 2019 by the Settlement Services Office, but the next two were bumped due to the pandemic, and even 2022 was a last-minute - though still huge - affair once it was certain that the celebration would be permitted. In 2023, the celebration has gone far beyond a one-day event, encompassing sports, fashion, arts, food and more.

Afuang says that the sports committees are the backbone of the organisation right now, with basketball and volleyball leagues running through the summer with special sports days and a chess tournament coming up as well. While most of the teams represent regions of the Philippines, there is also some sector representation. A new LGBTQ+ group has formed in the last year and are represented in both the men’s and the women’s leagues. That group has also taken on a new event for Filipino Heritage Month this year, the Mutya ng Filipino Heritage (Treasure of Filipino Heritage), a pageant that celebrates the cultures and dress of eight different regions of the Philippines.

This year, the organsation was able to source some grants to help with the costs of Filipino Heritage Month, and as well they have had several sponsors eager to become involved. Afuang specifically recognises HyLife Foods, which is the major employer in the area, as well as Ryan McLaughlin of McLaughlin GM.

The theme for this year’s celebration is heritage, change, and continuity, and Afuang says they want to ensure that, through that theme, the younger generation recognises their roots and takes pride in their heritage.