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The Filipino community and Edmonton at large recently celebrated the vibrant two-day festival, Sama-sama Kultura: Exploring Filipino Heritage, Together!, which took place on September 27th and 28th at the Strathcona Community League. Presented by the Edmonton Philippine International Centre (EPIC), the event was a Host Celebration Site for Alberta Culture Days. More than just a festival, Sama-sama—meaning "together"—was a truly collaborative celebration that successfully invi

A vibrant celebration of memory, migration, and identity marked the launch of Echoes of Identity: Tracking Filipino Cultural Landscapes in Edmonton on June 1, 2025, Sunday at the Edmonton Intercultural Centre. The project — a first of its kind in the city — unveils an interactive cultural map that documents the diverse places, practices, and personal histories of Filipinos who have made Edmonton home. It is supported by Alberta Arts, Culture and Status of Women, the City of E

In a milestone for Filipino representation in classical dance, ballet artists Danier Laganzo and Katherine Nuñez are making their mark on Canadian soil as the first Filipino dancers straight from Manila to join the esteemed Alberta Ballet Trainee Program. Their participation is not only a testament to their individual talent and determination but also part of a larger narrative—one that celebrates Filipino excellence, resilience, and artistry rising to international recogniti

The Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards was launched by Canadian Immigrant Magazine in 2009 and is currently considered by some as the “Oscars” of immigrant success. Having a Filipino included in the annual Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award not only celebrates the achievements of the individual but also highlights the significant contributions of the Filipino community to Canada's cultural diversity, resilience, and success. To date, there have been 23 immigrants from the Philippi

On a recent trip to Chicago, my friends and I made it a point to visit Kasama, the world’s first Filipino restaurant to receive a Michelin star. Located in Chicago’s Ukrainian Village, Kasama is owned by Chefs Tim Flores and Genie Kwon, both fine-dining veterans, giving a contemporary twist to traditional Filipino foods. Kasama was opened at the height of the pandemic in 2020, and the increased COVID restrictions provided them regular customers who were then working from h

The Philippine Consulate General Calgary (PCGC) featured Edmonton Filipino-Canadian visual artists in an exhibit “Contemplating the Tapestry of Filipino-Canadian Connections”. The art exhibit was presented in partnership with Philippine Arts Council, with the support of Alberta Immigration and Multiculturalism. This year’s exhibition was truly special because aside from celebrating Philippine Heritage Month, it was also in commemoration of 75 years of diplomatic relations bet

Edmonton, a city pulsating with diversity, is home to a vibrant Filipino community. Our cultural roots run deep, and our traditions weave a colourful tapestry that enriches the fabric of this multicultural city. Now, more than ever, we have the opportunity to showcase the essence of our Filipino identity through "Echoes of Identity: Tracing Filipino Cultural Landscapes in Edmonton," the spearheading cultural mapping project initiated by the Philippine Arts Council. This cultu

As the calendar turned its page to a new year, most of us have set New Year’s resolutions - a universal symbol of hope, a chance to reflect on the past and envision a brighter future. Let us explore not only personal aspirations but also the collective resolutions we can make as a society. And one that really comes to mind is the rethinking of the much lamented characteristic of the Filipino, the crab mentality. This notion, depicting a tendency for individuals to pull down t

Last November 25-26, 2023, the first Filipino convention of Filipino community leaders in rural Alberta was held in Calgary. The theme was Strengthening People’s Empowerment in Cities and Towns of Rural Alberta, and billed as the SPECTRA Convention, organized by the Alberta Fil-Can Community Leaders’ Association (AFCLA-G10). This convention was the culmination of community caucuses in various rural municipalities across Alberta. The convergence of Filipino community leaders f

Edmonton welcomed an OPM (Original Pilipino Music) idol in an intimate gathering last October 14. on a spectacular evening that will be etched into the hearts of its Filipino community forever. Rachel Alejandro, the multi-talented Filipino singer, actress, and entrepreneur, graced the stage at the Edmonton Philippine International Centre (EPIC) in what was her debut in Edmonton and the first concert by a major artist in EPIC. The show was produced and organized by Edina Banna

In the realm of comic book enthusiasts and aspiring artists, there are few dreams as captivating as illustrating for Marvel. For Dennis Crisostomo, that dream became a breathtaking reality. A gifted graphic artist, Dennis’ journey began like that of countless comic book lovers worldwide - as a devoted fan. Dennis Crisostomo is from Angono, Rizal and as a child was fond of drawing, i.e. comics, anime and school poster-making contests. In college, he took Fine Arts, with a Majo

As the month of May rolls around, we embrace the opportunity to celebrate Asian Heritage Month, a time to honour and recognize the rich cultural contributions of Asian communities worldwide. Canada's Filipino community is vibrant and growing. but tends to focus more on June Philippine Heritage Month. This year, however, has brought about truly significant Filipino-themed offerings in May. Pro Coro Canada, widely recognized as one of Canada’s finest, presented a Filipino-theme