A celebration of Filipino culture filled Victoria’s Centennial Square on Saturday.
Filipino-Canadians from the community were celebrating Mabuhay Day, an event to mark Filipino Heritage Month in Canada.
“Because of the new generation coming, I want to encourage them to learn about their roots,” said artist Editha Chung, who showcased some of her paintings at the event. “My kids, now that they’re grown up, they say they wish I had taught them more Filipino culture.”
The event featured dancing, live music and several vendors.
Nelia Tamblyn was serving up spring rolls, fish balls, siomai and other traditional dishes for the event. She was proud to showcase her culture for the people of Victoria.
“It’s like remembering our culture,” she said. “We want to introduce the culture to the Canadian people.”
Adam and Kate Addlestone, and their three children, Ben, Cole and Jack, were in Victoria from Sidney. They didn’t realize the event was going on until they heard the music.
“We totally just stumbled upon it,” Kate said. “The music is lots of fun and everyone is looking like they’re having a good time.”
This year marks the first national celebrations of Filipino Heritage Month, after the House of Commons unanimously adopted June as the heritage month in October 2018.