As we transitioned to today, July 1, Canada Day, it is interesting to note that the month preciding it, June, was both Filipino Heritage Month and National Indigenous Month in Canada.
I started my piece for this issue intending to highlight the similarities in the cultures and histories of both nations – Canada and the Philippines. Offhand, or even with serious consideration, we don’t seem to have much in common except for two outstanding things. It may not be a long list but the two I have found are of notable importance.
One thread stands out right away. Both countries put a high value on family. Understandably so, since according to censusmapper.ca (2021), 56.9% are third generation immigrants in Canada. It goes on to say that “Toronto is made up of 79.7% first and second generation immigrants”. Majority of these 1st to 3rd generation immigrants (most of them Canadian citizens already) are of Asian and African descent.
In 2022 alone, according to an IRCC release, Asia and Africa continued to be the top sources of immigrants to Canada with the following ranking:
- India (118,095 immigrants)
- China (31,815 immigrants)
- Afghanistan (23,735 immigrants)
- Nigeria (22,085 immigrants)
- Philippines (22,070 immigrants)
- France (14,145 immigrants)
- Pakistan (11,145 immigrnts)
By the way, it seems that the Philippines has now been displaced by Afghanistan and Nigeria for 3rd ranking. It does make sense especially with the surge of all the refugees from war-torn countries, most recently Afghanistan, as an aftermath of the disastrous Afghan war. (Sounds familiar?)
Another aside, next to the Philippines being displaced as no. 3 – Did you notice that France is No. 6? France? This is very interesting. I can understand all the other countries, but France? Really?
Going forward –What happens when there is a war? – hordes of refugees. That’s what happens. This is just perfect for the war profiteers (marami yan) who are grinning ear to ear by the non-stop, back-to-back wars since decades ago. That means BIG BUCKS, that’s for sure. Just as disease and sickness mean the same for pharmaceutical companies. That being said — this ends my unnecessary opinions.
Going back to the concept or belief of family as a high value in both Canada and the Philippines — I am grateful and appreciative of this value being present in both our cultures. This is not surprising as large numbers of 1st to 3rd generation Asians and Africans comprise a majority of Canadians today.
As a rule, eastern cultures emphasize relationship interdependence, hierarchy and status, thus the prominence of the importance of family – personal or societal. On the other hand, western cultures emphasize individual uniqueness and equality.
To be sure, the balanced amalgam of these 2 divergent philosophies are a boon to any a country. At least, I believe that. This is akin to yin and yang. Of conscious and the subconscious. I appreciate and trust that this will bring even more success and prosperity to Canada on this auspicious day when we celebrate the anniversary of Canadian Confederation on July 1, 1867 with the passing of the British North America Act, when the three separate colonies of the United Canadas, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick were united into a single dominion within the British Empire called Canada.
Sorry, but when I typed the “British Empire”, I have to admit experiencing a mild wave of disquiet through my consciousness. Maybe misplaced, nevertheless present. Something to deal with, on my own.
The second thing the Philippines and Canada have in common is our colonized history of Indigenous peoples. There is an illuminating article written by Michelle Eliot of CBC News, posted June 29, 2021, some of the content of which I gleaned for this article. You may want to read the full article online on www.cbc.ca and search for the articles of Michelle Eliot, a Filipino Canadian herself who shared about learning more of her Filipino heritage.
Filipinos are now learning more about their pre-colonial past. Some Filipino Canadians like Sobey Wing of Vancouver, who, as president of Kathara Pilipino Indigenous Arts Society Canada, were shocked when he first performed, 20 years ago, a dance and martial arts demonstration portraying Filipino battling Spanish colonizers, to realize that the thousands of Filipino-Canadian audience could not relate or connect with the show.
Fortunately, today, more and more Filipinos in Canada are actively learning more about the Philippines’ pre-colonial history.
Canada itself has a colorful, albeit infamous, Indigenous peoples’ history who were colonized themselves by foreigners. Much in the same way as the native Filipinos were taken over by colonizers for centuries. In both cases, there were many learning processes and challenges that had to be overcome. Fortunately, late as it is, there are now measures being taken by the government (I speak of both the governments of both countries) to redress the past mistakes. May they be successful in this endeavor as we celebrate Canada Day and the post-Filipino Heritage Month.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL 2023 GRADUATES –
I especially reach out to hundreds of the Film and Animation graduates of Sheridan College in Oakville last June 8. One of them being my granddaughter Nicole Dominique Taylor-Topacio, whose 8- person animation team won numerous international awards and nominations for their short animation entry “Mileage”. Google it on You Tube. I am not making it up just because she is my granddaughter. Ha ha!
And her own, solo short animation film entry “Tech Support” has been nominated for the Best Super short film award at the Student World Impact Film Festival (SWIFF) 2023. SWIFF is the premier platform for showcasing the artistic talent of student filmmakers from around the world. It has a distribution partnership with Amazon Prime Video, helping more than 10,000 filmmakers from 120 countries each year.
Some of the judges’ comments on “Tech Support” –
*”A tour de force of artistic vision, where the director’s creative choices resonate with profound impact.”
*”The use of visual motifs throughout the film adds a cohesive and visually striking element to the storytelling.”
*”A masterful work of cinema that resonates long after the credits roll, leaving a lasting impact on the viewer.”
Woohoo! We are so proud of her — Whether she wins or not.
FROM ART TO SCIENCE THIS TIME
Likewise, I congratulate the more than a thousand engineering technology graduates of McMaster University all the way in Hamilton. One of them being our grandson who (pasensya na!) we are equally proud of. He deserves it. Again, it is not because he is our grandson. He was working fulltime while at the same time pursuing his Bachelor in Engineering Technology at McMaster University. He worked long and grinding hours for this.
He took up Power and Energy Engineering Technology, and, to everyone’s jubilant surprise, he graduated with the highest distinction – Summa Cum Laude. I say “surprise” because no one knew among us. The funny thing was no one knew among us that he graduated with a Summa Cum Laude, much less himself. It was only many hours after, when my daughter, his mother, took a photo of his diploma and noticed it printed in his diploma. So, we even had to inform him, which he sort of pooh-poohed and said that it was probably not a big deal.
This is what I notice here in Canada, academic achievements does not seem to be considered a big deal. This is the big difference with the Philippines where formal education is king, especially when you graduate with the highest honors. It would be “de rigeur” to hold a big feast and invite family, friends and neighbors. Perhaps, even publish it in the newspapers. Well, thank heavens, our family is not into that.
But this grandmother would, at least, like to crow over it in my space. Ha-ha!
Tessie O. Taylor – Comments are welcome. taylorteresita@gmail.com