Preserving Filipino Traditions in Canada

Introduction

Raising kids in a multicultural environment like Canada presents unique opportunities and challenges for Filipino families. While embracing Canadian culture is important, maintaining Filipino traditions can help children develop a strong sense of identity, belonging, and cultural pride. Here’s a guide on how to keep those cherished traditions alive while raising your children in Canada.

What Filipino Traditions Should Be Preserved?

The heart of Filipino culture lies in its deep-rooted traditions. These practices shape the way families interact, celebrate, and create memories. Some of the most significant traditions to preserve include:

1. Filipino Holidays & Celebrations
   Filipino holidays like Pasko (Christmas), Buwan ng Wika (Language Month), and Fiestas hold great cultural value. These events, celebrated with family gatherings, food, and music, are key to maintaining a sense of Filipino identity.
2. Filipino Cuisine
   Filipino food is more than just nourishment—it’s an expression of love and connection. Dishes like adobo, sinigang, and leche flan are part of everyday life. Teaching your kids to cook these dishes will instill a love for Filipino cuisine.
3. Language
   The Filipino language, or Tagalog (along with various regional languages), is integral to preserving cultural identity. Encouraging your children to speak the language, even in small doses, will help them connect to their roots.
4. Respectful Practices
   Filipino traditions emphasize respect, especially for elders. Teaching your children how to greet elders with a respectful mano (a gesture where children take the elder’s hand to their forehead) will help them honor Filipino values.

When Should These Traditions Be Practiced?

It’s important to integrate these traditions into daily life and special occasions. While some traditions happen on specific holidays, others can be practiced throughout the year. For instance:

• During Holidays: Filipino holidays like Christmas, New Year, and Buwan ng Wika are the perfect occasions to celebrate cultural practices with extended family.
• Daily Life: Incorporating Filipino language at home or making Filipino meals regularly creates a subtle but consistent connection to heritage.
• Special Events: Filipino community gatherings, such as fiestas or charity events, offer an opportunity to engage with fellow Filipinos and share traditions.

How Can You Keep These Traditions Alive?

1. Create Cultural Routines
   Make Filipino customs a part of your child’s daily life. For example, regularly eat Filipino food together, introduce family stories, or teach them how to greet people in Filipino. These small but meaningful gestures will naturally preserve the culture.
2. Celebrate Filipino Holidays
   Even if you’re far from home, you can still celebrate Pasko with Filipino-style decorations, noche buena (a traditional Christmas feast), and other festive activities. Organize Filipino-themed events like fiestas with fellow families, where you can celebrate and share traditions.
3. Visit the Philippines or Connect Virtually
   Travel to the Philippines whenever possible to help your children connect with their extended family and immerse themselves in the culture. If travel isn’t feasible, regular virtual family gatherings can also foster a sense of community and belonging.
4. Engage with the Filipino Community in Canada
   Canada has a large Filipino diaspora. Participating in local Filipino events and connecting with Filipino community groups helps to sustain cultural traditions. Look for local barangay associations or attend Filipino festivals to keep those connections strong.
5. Teach Filipino Language and Arts
   Enroll your children in Filipino language classes or encourage self-study through online resources. Teaching them Filipino songs, dances like tinikling, or other traditional arts can be fun ways to learn and preserve culture.

Where Should These Traditions Be Practiced?

• At Home: The home is the first and most important place to pass on Filipino traditions. It is where children learn to speak the language, eat traditional foods, and develop an understanding of values such as respect for elders.
• At Filipino Community Centers or Churches: Many Filipino families gather in community centers or churches for religious services, cultural events, and social functions. These are great places for your children to bond with their cultural community.
• In Schools and Public Events: Participate in multicultural events at your child’s school or local festivals. This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase Filipino traditions, and perhaps introduce their peers to Filipino culture.

Who Can Help Keep These Traditions Alive?

1. Immediate Family: Parents and grandparents are the most influential people in preserving cultural practices. Grandparents, in particular, can pass on the values and stories of the past. Their role in teaching the language and customs is invaluable.
2. The Filipino Community: Fellow Filipino families and community leaders can offer support. They often organize events and festivals that provide a sense of belonging and connection to Filipino culture.
3. Teachers and Cultural Mentors: Local schools and cultural organizations may offer programs to introduce Filipino children to their heritage. Teachers and mentors who understand and appreciate Filipino traditions can be excellent role models.

Conclusion

Raising children in Canada while maintaining Filipino traditions requires effort, but the rewards are immeasurable. By integrating Filipino customs, food, language, and values into your family’s everyday life, you help your children grow up with a strong cultural identity. Keeping these traditions alive isn’t just about remembering the past—it’s about creating a future where your children can proudly honor their Filipino roots while embracing their Canadian surroundings.

References

• Filipino Communities and Traditions: A Canadian Perspective by Maria D. Santos (2019).
• The Importance of Cultural Heritage for Filipino Families Abroad by Francisco J. Morales (2018).