Filipino awareness week launched by U of T Students

Filipino awareness week launched by U of T Students

By Camille Cendaña
Filipino Students Association of Toronto

Despite heavy work schedules, homework and exams the Filipino Students Association of (the University of) Toronto, better known as FSAT held a successful Filipino Awareness Week at the University of Toronto St. George Campus February 7th-11th.

FSAT is a new organization created by students of the University of Toronto at the St. George campus who felt that there was a void in the university community when it came to Filipinos. Although there are a number of students who are of Filipino descent or who are interested in Filipino culture or the Philippines, there was nowhere at U of T where one could find others who shared their concerns, interests or experiences outside the lecture hall.

Steadily the group has grown since its inception clearly indicating that FSAT was much needed at U of T as it brought so many people together. To students it is a place for support, to share experiences and concerns, and to explore and develop what it means to be a Filipino and a Filipino-Canadian in Toronto. To the community it is a liaison between U of T, youths and the Filipino community.

All FSAT members are well rounded individuals, thus FSAT is well rounded in turn. FSAT addresses and explores social, cultural and political issues and those themes acted as the building blocks when planning the Awareness Week. Our goals for the week were to promote our organization and Filipino culture on campus, to bring light to and discuss some of the issues that Filipinos deal with in Canada and of course, we wanted to have fun!

The week began with a kick off event held on Monday (Feb. 7) afternoon. We set up displays with information on the Philippines and FSAT, offered a sampling of Filipino food and had some speakers such as Cora de la Cruz of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce Toronto and Ricky Caluen who presented a brief history of the Philippines.

On Tuesday afternoon we offered a $5 Filipino lunch. Fried rice, chicken adobo, lumpia Shanghai, caldereta and turon were some of the delicious items that were offered. Golden Valley and Mekeni, both of Scarborough, were two businesses that graciously donated food in support of the event. The lunch was a great way to offer students a cheap meal and promote our culture at the same time. Lots of people, many of non-Filipino descent, came out and enjoyed the food. In the evening we screened two documentaries that dealt with live-in caregivers and mail-order brides in Canada. An amazing discussion was held afterwards and it proved that discussion is a great way to explore issues and concerns.

The highlight of our week was on Wednesday evening, where we connected the Filipino community with the students. A panel discussion entitled “”Exploring Globally-Induced Social and Political Change in the Philippines and its Effects in the Toronto community” was held at the Munk Centre. Guests included: Dr. Lynne Milgram, cultural anthropologist from OCAD, Dr. Bonnie McElhinny, linguistic and semiotic anthropologist from the University of Toronto; Dr. Philip Kelly, associate professor of geography at York University; community leader Gene Lara; Lynda Javier, President of the Filipino Centre-Toronto; Ron Olalia, Philippine Labour Attaché; Vice Consul Indhira Bañares; Consul Julius Torres; and Consul General Alejandro Mosquera. It was an informative and riveting forum followed by a question and answer period.  The evening concluded with a special performance from the internationally renowned Himig Singers of Davao.

On Thursday we offered a free Filipino cooking class that was open to all University students. Delicious lumpiang sariwa and cassava cake were enjoyed by all who participated. We were pleased that some non-Filipinos attended, proving again that when given the opportunity to explore Filipino culture, many people will participate!

Filipino Awareness Week was a tremendous success for FSAT. We successfully promoted and brought new interest to our culture, attracted new Filipinos on campus and linked the wider Filipino community with the students at U of T. We could not have done this without the support of those in the community and we recognize that we are the next generation of Filipino and Canadian leaders. Although Filipino Awareness Week is over, our activities will not end here. We are currently tutoring and mentoring at elementary and high schools in the Greater Toronto Area and we will continue to find ways to get involved at the university, in the Filipino community and the community at large.

Keep an eye on us – we are your youth and we are sure to be a presence for a long time to come.