Digging For My Roots

It's been 8 long years since I've been back home and surely do I miss it in these wintry days. I did not know much of my heritage. I was only 11 years old the last time I visited back home but throughout my years, I have learned a lot about the Philippines through family, friends, books, etc. Whether it be Princess Urduja in the 14th century, the “Catálogo Alfabético de Apellidos”, or the EDSA revolution, knowing one's history & culture makes one closer to the place he/she came from.

As a child of Filipino immigrant parents living in such a beautifully diverse city such as Toronto, it can be difficult to learn where you came from. I used to live near a Chinese cultural centre near the Malvern area, and throughout my travels in the city, I have seen Greek, Vedic, Japanese, Ukrainian cultural centres and have always wondered if there is a Filipino cultural centre in Toronto. I was not alone in my inquiry, for other Filipinos shared this vision when they established the “Kapisanan Philippine Centre for Culture & Arts” in 2005 (“kapisanan” means 'group' in Tagalog, one of the dialects in the Philippines).

Since its inception, it 'transitioned from a traditional Filipino community centre into a youth-oriented facility with a focus on arts & culture.' I only became acquainted with the Kapisanan centre only recently. Thanks to a friend of mine who was part of it since it started. After getting to know the executive council, I decided to join. It's good to know that there is a place that helps us explore our roots and heritage. I feel that the Filipino youths are not so much in touch with their culture, which leads to cultural alienation and a place like the Kapisanan centre can help the young people become more culturally aware of where they come from and thus, have a sense of pride in their roots by providing an open environment, where culture and arts intertwined.

Through the use of literary, visual and performance arts, film, video and music, a whole range of different workshops can be used to open young Filipinos to their roots. One popular workshop that's offered here is a Tagalog speaking class, which young Filipinos who can't speak their native tongue or those hoping to brush up on their Tagalog skills can join in an inclusive class setting. I'm glad that I found out about the Kapisanan centre and I feel that it'll continue to bring a positive vibe to the Filipinos in the Toronto, being the 4th largest visible minority in the GTA.

Only a couple years old, I hope this place will continue to grow and at the same time get the support it so well deserved from the Filipino community.

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The Kapisanan Centre is located in 167 Augusta Ave. at Dundas & Spadina.
Call them at 416.979.0600 for more information.
Or you can find them online in the Facebook website.