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 Bannawel, Susan Tichkowky, Evelyn Bannawel and Michelle Costan Damogo. Kudos to this group from Lloydminster for having thei ..read more

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-themed concert, Missae IX, with MISA by Ryan Cayabyab, and a world premiere of Missa Brevis, a composition written and arrang ..read more

Early this year, an experimental and debut film made waves for its astonishing box office and critical success. This is Skinamarink, directed and written by Edmonton filmmaker Kyle Edward Ball. This Edmonton-shot movie is about two children who wake up in the middle of the night to find their father is missing, and all the windows and doors in their home have vanished. It has reviews from the New Yorker, The Atlantic and Rolling Stone, and is described as “the scariest they've ever seen”. Skinamarink was filmed over seven days in August 2021 with a budget of $15,000. The film has grossed more ..read more

Last July 30, a fashion show was held at the West Edmonton Mall Centre Stage, presented by Harlijk Productions, Bathala Creatives, MJ Productions and #miltStylesPH. This was MaKaPinoy, a celebration of Philippine culture through fashion and costumes, directed by Milton Salinas, with Rey Caparino as host and technical director. The show featured a collection of about 180 pieces, featuring the designs of Edwin Uy, Milton Salinas, Riyadh-based Allen Evangelista, Kenneth Nabua, Jose Roberto Madrigal, Khandie Segovia, Mark Cezar Ola, and Dianne Joie Alcantara, for the accessories. The highlights o ..read more

The Filipino in Me - Insights into Living Heritage Entry by Harvey Nichol. Calgary, Alberta Apolaki (God of the Sun) Apolaki is the God of war and the sun, he is the son of bathala, (the supreme deity of the Tagalogs) and the patron of all warriors. It is said that when Bathala went into deep slumber, Apolaki fought his sister Mayari (goddess of the moon & goddess of war) for dominion over the Earth. Their battle resulted in a truce after Apolaki blinded Mayari in one eye. And so they decided to divide their rule with Mayari ruling the night, Apolaki ruling the day. Medium: PLA filaments ..read more

The Filipino in Me - Insights into Living Heritage Entry by Jimuel Belarmino. Weyburn, Saskatchewan Dugo't Pawis (Blood and Sweat) - Diptych 2020 24 in. diameter each Oil on Round Panel Artist's Statement Dugo't Pawis are portrait paintings representation of my family's early livelihood in the Philippines; fishing, farming, and vending. Along with other factors, our underprivileged situation led to displacement in a foreign land (Canada) to break out of the poverty cycle. The painting is also a tribute to the many hardworking OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) around the world who continues to ..read more

The Filipino in Me - Insights into Living Heritage Entry by Chef Earl Briones. Edmonton, Alberta Harang for our Anitos and Diwatas Concept My submission aims to celebrate our pre colonial beliefs, rituals, and offerings through a cultural lens of someone from the diaspora. The Philippines has had a rich culture before the Spanish colonization absorbed some of our ancient beliefs with theirs. My submission aims to tell some of my favorite folktales from the three main geographic areas of the Philippines. From Luzon, the tale of Tala and how wet rice cultivation was introduced. From Visayas, the ..read more

In the recent MaKaPinoy Fashion Show and Kultura Edmonton Filipino Festival, I met the twin personas of Francheska Dynamites and Francis (Kiko) Yutrago. I was fascinated by the boldness and gaiety of Francheska and the humility and contemplativeness of Kiko. This dichotomy is the subject of a documentary by director Laura O’Grady, entitled Francheska: Prairie Queen, an official selection in the recent Calgary International Film Festival, and the LGBTQ+ Toronto Film Festival 2022. Kiko is from Dinagat Island in the Philippines, living the simple barrio life - fetching water, cooking rice on an ..read more

The Filipino in Me - Insights into Living Heritage Entry by Shane Doringo Zapanta. Edmonton, Alberta Aking Mariposa This work incorporates embroidery, beading, and showcases voluminous form akin to a butterfly’s cocoon. Aking Mariposa, demonstrate the freedom of becoming your own kind of butterfly, examining how we can be whatever we want to be. The symbolism of butterfly is used to depict how individuals have the ability to dissolve and morph from their old forms, how one can rebuild and evolve to becoming their very own best. Hence the usage of pastel and vibrant colours to showcase the resi ..read more

For Filipino millenials/Gen Y and Gen Z, the band December Avenue does not need any introduction. Obviously not belonging to these generations, my introduction to this band was during their 2nd engagement in Edmonton, last July 2022. I have heard about December Avenue since they were here in 2019, but did not know much about them. December Avenue is an indie pop/alternative rock band from Manila composed of Zel Bautista (Songwriter, Vocals), Don Gregorio (Bass), Jem Manuel (Guitars), Jet Danao (Drums, Backing Vocals) and Gelo Cruz (Keyboard, Backing Vocals). Friends from the University of San ..read more