In celebration of Filipino Heritage, Part 2............
By Tony A. San Juan, OCT.
Toronto-Canada
April 5, 2019
Ethnic-based and immigrant community organizations within a global community or a given country are relevant entities that impact upon and contribute immeasurably to the social, economic, and cultural development and success of the adopted homeland.
Filipino immigrants of different persuasions and perspectives are among these groups. Filipinos are now numbering close to 900,000 residents and citizens, from a mere 800 in the 50s and 60s, becoming one of the largest immigrant demographics in Canada. This phenomenon contributed unmistakably also to the growth of Filipino associations in the landscape.
Filipino Canadian associations in Canada, particularly in Ontario, can be traced back to the start of Filipino diaspora and immigration in the second half of the 20th century. Many say that there are now more than 350 associations in Ontario alone out of the 5,000 different organizations from coast-to-coast and still counting. One can say that their vision and vibrancy or lack thereof if any, are directly or indirectly akin to the status and standing of Filipino culture, arts and history in Canada.
Their prime time of greatest health, vigour, success and prosperity, however, were on the third quarter of the 20th century to coincide with the largest wave of immigration in the 70s and 80s. There came about too within the demographics, a lot of stories and narratives. They felt comfort and confidence in meeting their kababayans as often as they could to keep in touch with their Filipino friends and traditions. These associations also provided support for the latest arrivals to help them find their way in this adopted land.
Exercising the bayanihan spirit, great examples of these associations were organized since the 60s and whose members were very passionate about maintaining a profound connection with ating bayang sinilangan. These numerous organizations ranged from provincial to region-based, from alumni to professional, and from seniors to special- interest groups such as faith-focused, social, sports, business, political and labour groups. With a mixed feeling, however, the so-called baby boomers, those who came from the Philippines in their 20s and are now in their 60s and 70s are still much into the affairs and activities of their organized or "founded" associations.
Yes, these early groups have different missions and goals desired during their time. But times have changed. Recent experiences and continued observations revealed that those who came at the very young age, or were born in Canada soon after their parents or grandparents' arrival, were "not so keen" on participating in the first generation activities. Such questions arose: When was the last time you went to a Filipino association party? When you try to bring your children or teenagers with you, do you get an eye roll or a smirk? As children, of course, they had very little choice but to attend. But as time went on, these new generations did everything to avoid the baby boomers crowd. Some often asked: What is my Filipino identity? Who am I? Am I a Filipino or a Canadian born of Filipino parents with a different culture, perspective and idiosyncrasies?
Many young Filipino-Canadians, of course, pride themselves on their parents' heritage. But sometimes many others don't connect anymore with their culture beyond the proud acceptance of having in our midst good singers, good dancers or enjoying adobo, pancit and lechon.
While many youths may consider province or town -based Filipino associations are nothing more than an "old folks" club. Watching their parents or grandparents dance the boogie or the tango, going to church, listening to old Pinoy music- mga kundiman & the OPMs, doing the beso-beso or holding the old hands for a mano po were never their idea of fun even if the food and music were amazing. And to make matters worse, the traditionalists and baby boomers generations never saw the need to adapt their social activities or events that would attract the other generation. Thus, the "disconnect syndrome".
In the long run, the baby boomers gave up on the new generations----the XYZs, the millennials and the centennials, and they continued to do the "same old, same old." Nostalgia, nonetheless, has dominated. Needless to state, this led to the loss of a few generations who rarely participated, thus effectively transforming these baby boomer associations into old age and seniors clubs over the years. This is not a total indictment, but an eye-opener, perhaps.
But there is still an answer and remedy. If still interested, these BB generation organizations ----- composed now of mga lolos at lolas, and mga titos at titas, should at least refocus and realign their mandate on the mission of attracting younger generations and families to join and hope to take over these significant entities. There is no denying that this is a challenging task. So the question became, how can we set the stage for success? How can we encourage the 20-, 30 and 40 year- old to participate, to feel a sense of genuine belonging, and to actively take on the responsibility of perpetuating our rich Filipino culture now and in the distant future.
Maybe, after careful and serious reflections at mga mahalagang pag-uusap at matinding pagmuni-muni via appropriate forums and strategies, the "old guards" and the learned members of the community should decide that the answer was to offer and examine on the "needs and wants" of these new generations. We need to reach out to them. We need to remind them of the importance of promoting and propagating our history, culture, and traditions. A meaningful vision for the future is the first step to success. And, in the celebration of Filipino Heritage all over Canada beginning June this year as declared by the House of Commons, is certainly a good and apt beginning.
Engaging younger generations, honestly, is certainly a daunting and difficult work. Although some may feel that the new generation might find it difficult to relate to the "Filipinoness" that this and that association promotes and stands for, we believe that if we adapt to meet the new reality we will not only survive but will definitely flourish. Maintaining our culture, language, values and traditions is a collective responsibility that we must all embrace and share. Let us not go down in history that the traditionalists and baby boomers generations and I for one are in this category, did not try and we failed to do so. ( Tony A. San Juan, OCT).
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See related article:
The Filipino Heritage Month: Celebrating Towards a Proud and Progressive Filipino Canadian Community (Part 1)
-------------------------------------------
Filipino Canadian Associations: Connecting the Old and the New, A Case of Bridging Generations
Toronto-Canada
April 5, 2019
Ethnic-based and immigrant community organizations within a global community or a given country are relevant entities that impact upon and contribute immeasurably to the social, economic, and cultural development and success of the adopted homeland.
Filipino immigrants of different persuasions and perspectives are among these groups. Filipinos are now numbering close to 900,000 residents and citizens, from a mere 800 in the 50s and 60s, becoming one of the largest immigrant demographics in Canada. This phenomenon contributed unmistakably also to the growth of Filipino associations in the landscape.
Filipino Canadian associations in Canada, particularly in Ontario, can be traced back to the start of Filipino diaspora and immigration in the second half of the 20th century. Many say that there are now more than 350 associations in Ontario alone out of the 5,000 different organizations from coast-to-coast and still counting. One can say that their vision and vibrancy or lack thereof if any, are directly or indirectly akin to the status and standing of Filipino culture, arts and history in Canada.
Their prime time of greatest health, vigour, success and prosperity, however, were on the third quarter of the 20th century to coincide with the largest wave of immigration in the 70s and 80s. There came about too within the demographics, a lot of stories and narratives. They felt comfort and confidence in meeting their kababayans as often as they could to keep in touch with their Filipino friends and traditions. These associations also provided support for the latest arrivals to help them find their way in this adopted land.
Exercising the bayanihan spirit, great examples of these associations were organized since the 60s and whose members were very passionate about maintaining a profound connection with ating bayang sinilangan. These numerous organizations ranged from provincial to region-based, from alumni to professional, and from seniors to special- interest groups such as faith-focused, social, sports, business, political and labour groups. With a mixed feeling, however, the so-called baby boomers, those who came from the Philippines in their 20s and are now in their 60s and 70s are still much into the affairs and activities of their organized or "founded" associations.
Yes, these early groups have different missions and goals desired during their time. But times have changed. Recent experiences and continued observations revealed that those who came at the very young age, or were born in Canada soon after their parents or grandparents' arrival, were "not so keen" on participating in the first generation activities. Such questions arose: When was the last time you went to a Filipino association party? When you try to bring your children or teenagers with you, do you get an eye roll or a smirk? As children, of course, they had very little choice but to attend. But as time went on, these new generations did everything to avoid the baby boomers crowd. Some often asked: What is my Filipino identity? Who am I? Am I a Filipino or a Canadian born of Filipino parents with a different culture, perspective and idiosyncrasies?
Many young Filipino-Canadians, of course, pride themselves on their parents' heritage. But sometimes many others don't connect anymore with their culture beyond the proud acceptance of having in our midst good singers, good dancers or enjoying adobo, pancit and lechon.
While many youths may consider province or town -based Filipino associations are nothing more than an "old folks" club. Watching their parents or grandparents dance the boogie or the tango, going to church, listening to old Pinoy music- mga kundiman & the OPMs, doing the beso-beso or holding the old hands for a mano po were never their idea of fun even if the food and music were amazing. And to make matters worse, the traditionalists and baby boomers generations never saw the need to adapt their social activities or events that would attract the other generation. Thus, the "disconnect syndrome".
In the long run, the baby boomers gave up on the new generations----the XYZs, the millennials and the centennials, and they continued to do the "same old, same old." Nostalgia, nonetheless, has dominated. Needless to state, this led to the loss of a few generations who rarely participated, thus effectively transforming these baby boomer associations into old age and seniors clubs over the years. This is not a total indictment, but an eye-opener, perhaps.
But there is still an answer and remedy. If still interested, these BB generation organizations ----- composed now of mga lolos at lolas, and mga titos at titas, should at least refocus and realign their mandate on the mission of attracting younger generations and families to join and hope to take over these significant entities. There is no denying that this is a challenging task. So the question became, how can we set the stage for success? How can we encourage the 20-, 30 and 40 year- old to participate, to feel a sense of genuine belonging, and to actively take on the responsibility of perpetuating our rich Filipino culture now and in the distant future.
Maybe, after careful and serious reflections at mga mahalagang pag-uusap at matinding pagmuni-muni via appropriate forums and strategies, the "old guards" and the learned members of the community should decide that the answer was to offer and examine on the "needs and wants" of these new generations. We need to reach out to them. We need to remind them of the importance of promoting and propagating our history, culture, and traditions. A meaningful vision for the future is the first step to success. And, in the celebration of Filipino Heritage all over Canada beginning June this year as declared by the House of Commons, is certainly a good and apt beginning.
Engaging younger generations, honestly, is certainly a daunting and difficult work. Although some may feel that the new generation might find it difficult to relate to the "Filipinoness" that this and that association promotes and stands for, we believe that if we adapt to meet the new reality we will not only survive but will definitely flourish. Maintaining our culture, language, values and traditions is a collective responsibility that we must all embrace and share. Let us not go down in history that the traditionalists and baby boomers generations and I for one are in this category, did not try and we failed to do so. ( Tony A. San Juan, OCT).
-------------------------------------------
See related article:
The Filipino Heritage Month: Celebrating Towards a Proud and Progressive Filipino Canadian Community (Part 1)
-------------------------------------------