If anyone watched the Television Special of the Filipino Heritage Council of Canada last Sunday dubbed “Filipino Canadians Celebrate Canada: Isang Pagdiriwang”, last Sunday June 27 on OMNI TV and/or the repeat airing of the TV Special last Tuesday, June 29, unmissable was the touching video created by 2 TCDSB kindergarten teachers Mei Wareham and Leanne Oca with their adorable kindergarten students of different colors singing Bahay Kubo.
This was a perfect way of showing everyone that we can all work and have fun together no matter our ethnic origins. And as Mei Wareham said, this was their contribution to spread the message of inclusivity.
Although, the core substance of the show were the inspiring conversations with prominent Filipino Canadians like Dr. Patrick Alcedo, Dr. Rey Pagtakhan and Judge Delano Europa, the Bahay Kubo video almost stole the show. Hopefully, the show can be replayed.
I found the story of Judge Europa specially moving because here was an accomplished lawyer and professor in the Philippines who gave up his career and profession to move to a new land and start from scratch.
He said that at that time, he thought that with his credentials, he would easily land a job, only to find out how wrong he was. And I think this is the case for many immigrants who are older who move here. They had relatively good careers and positions in their home country but had to adjust accordingly.
I was no exception. Although in my case, I was retired when I moved here last 2017. But having been used to working all my life since I graduated from college, I still wanted to work here. I was used to the working woman lifestyle I led in the Philippines.
In the process of looking for a job, I kept hearing this term “Canadian experience”, which is exactly what Judge Europa mentioned. How does one get Canadian experience if they don’t give you a job first?
So, I learned about being a volunteer for cause-oriented groups. Maybe, this is one of the things that constitutes a “Canadian experience” as they call it, I said to myself. Some of what Judge Europa was recounting in the interview rang familiar bells with me. But he really did go through quite a gamut of experiences.
Having to put food on the table, he had to get any job available. So he was a parking attendant and sometimes subjected to verbal abuse including people refusing to pay and being thrown money (the payment) to his face when he would put the barriers down.
What patience, fortitude and forbearance! He also worked as a manual laborer for Canadian Tire and an ice-cream factory where he mixed boiling chocolate in a big cauldron.
I take my hats off to him. That is what I call tenacity and resilience at the same time. But after all that, he still managed to attain a position in the Canadian government a Justice of the Peace.
Another interviewee in the TV Special was Dr. Rey Pagtakhan who had other interesting tales to tell. I find it really interesting to listen to the stories of these Filipino Canadians who have been here since the 80s (or even the 70s).
Just like the engaging stories in the book written by the late Ruben Cusipag. Going through the stories of Filipino Canadians is quite absorbing. It is a way of relating also with oneself. We are all immigrants in some way or another. We are a mixture of different cultures although one more dominant than the others.
After all, most Filipinos are of a mixed race anyway. This is understandable since the Philippines was a colony of Spain for over 3 centuries. Then we must not forget our trading with China and our other Southeast Asian neighbors.
Then there was also the time when were under the Americans. Most important of all, we were originally of the race of Lapu-Lapu and other Malays. So, it does come to mind that somehow, we are all interconnected. Just like in some study I heard, that the roots of trees are somehow linked and connected to the roots of other trees. I say that this is the unity of life for sure.
More and more, we are now being reminded of the concept of inclusivity. Lately, there has been news from the Pentagon of Unexplained Aerial Phenomena (UAP) or what is commonly known as UFO’s. Most people scoff at it. We think we are the only beings in this Universe. I am not saying we are not or are. All I am saying is that I think it would be for our benefit to be open minded and think that perhaps, we are not the only beings in the Universe. This is food for thought. I think it is worth contemplating on.
So much for food for thought – back to earth and to the TV Special of the FHCC, “Filipino Canadians Celebrate Canada”.
Congratulations to the winners of the “Way To Go, Pinoy” Video Competition. Their entries were so creative and meaningful in their message and their execution. Having been one of the judges, I viewed all the entries and found that these kids were so talented and creative.
There were a few other outstanding ones which I believe should also be recognized. Hopefully, we can work out an opportunity to give them all recognition in the near future. Watch for it. If it materializes, we will announce it. Their talents must be shared.
I say to all the participants – Keep up the Creative Work! Perhaps, we will have another opportunity to share them with the rest of the viewing public
Before anything else, may I greet all “A Happy Canada Day”! There might not seem to be too many encouraging news out there these days but I always believe in rainbows after a storm. Canada has been more than good to me and my family. I hope it is the same for all of you. Keep safe, healthy and most of all, happy!
Tessie O. Taylor
Taylorteresita@gmail.com