An invitation to share our Filipino heritage story

by Dr. Rey D. Pagtakhan

Filipino Heritage Month, a pan-Canadian event, has naturally become a prelude to Canada Day. Although this was not by design, it is a beautiful happenstance.

Three years ago, during Canada Day 2021, I shared my reflections as a Canadian Filipino with our community. I drew from my life experiences in medicine, politics, and community volunteerism.

Last month, on Monday the 17th, I shared my Filipino Heritage story, drawing once again from my lifetime of experience, on the invitation of the Honourable Minister for Small Business, Rechie Valdez, and the manager for Outreach, Diversity, and Inclusion at the Ottawa Liberal Research Bureau, Jerica Gelle Mariano. Both are members of our heritage community. They hosted the 2024 Filipino Heritage Month Celebration on Parliament Hill and invited me to be the keynote speaker in person. When I conveyed my regret, Minister Valdez requested a video message, and Jerica added that I include reflections on my life experiences. I understood immediately, given the theme of their celebration was “Building Bridges Across Generations, Honouring Heritage and Stories.”

What is heritage and why honour and preserve it?

“Heritage,” as defined by the Concise Oxford English Dictionary, is “anything that is or may be inherited; valued things that have been passed down from previous generations; or relating to things of historic or cultural value that are worthy of preservation.” Heritage can be viewed as multidimensional, tangible, or intangible, such as cultural values or traditions, which are valuable tools for any family and society.

Who would argue against the importance of “a love for education, participation in community life, a strong work ethic, or religious devotion”? Or “passing on to future generations a country’s rich musical heritage, a person’s ethnic or cultural background”? Or “cherishing family traditions that provide unity and a sense of belonging, peace, security, and safety”? Or “telling and sharing family stories that help instil confidence, self-esteem, and pride in youth”? Or “honouring cultural values and traditions that provide a strong sense of self-identity and make for a self-assured and happy child”?

One’s heritage may also reflect struggles and triumphs, achievements and accomplishments, within or beyond one’s dreams. Alone or joined with others, I am confident these stories would inform and inspire. From the viewpoint of the Multiculturalism Branch of the Canadian Heritage Department, they “reflect historical and cultural milestones that help define the rich and significant history” of Canada’s multicultural communities.

Indeed, preserving our cultural heritage offers broad perspectives and many benefits. Many more can harvest these benefits when we share them with others in the community.

Why share our Filipino heritage story

I recalled the history, significance, and observance of June as a dedicated pan-Canadian Filipino Heritage Month. This year’s celebration is the sixth since the House of Commons of the Parliament of Canada adopted Motion No. 155 on October 30, 2018, unanimously and with the full concurrence of the government of Canada. The motion states: “That, in the opinion of the House, the government should recognize (1) the contributions that Filipino-Canadians have made to Canadian society; (2) the richness of the Filipino language and culture; and (3) the importance of reflecting upon Filipino heritage for future generations by declaring June, every year, Filipino Heritage Month.” The third element focuses on the importance of Filipino heritage.

Multicultural heritage of Canadians

The 1982 patriated Canadian Constitution includes a new part – the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Section 27 states: “The Charter shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the preservation and enhancement of the multicultural heritage of Canadians.”

This specific charter provision not only reaffirms Canada’s multiculturalism policy first announced in 1971 by the Government of Canada under Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, but also makes it difficult for any future Canadian government to change this provision by a simple majority vote in parliament. Any future change will require a constitutional amendment, which is a very difficult process. Thus, the preservation of the “multicultural heritage of Canadians” is virtually guaranteed a permanent fixture of our national fabric.

Moreover, during the patriation process, Canada resolved that the “multicultural heritage” of its people shall not only be preserved but also enhanced. Enhancement is a natural and welcome outcome of immigrants to Canada, who, by choice or necessity, contribute to nation-building, as will their future generations by birth. We can only be assured of their achievements and accomplishments, making Canada a better place.

The Filipino community and its heritage

It has occurred to me that sharing our individual heritage stories is one of the best ways to preserve our collective Filipino cultural heritage for posterity, thereby ensuring its preservation and enhancement for the well-being of Canadians’ continually evolving multicultural heritage.

Since the patriation of the Canadian Constitution in 1982, Canada has become increasingly diverse and mosaic-like. Our Canadian Filipino community alone is approaching the million mark. In the years ahead, our Filipino heritage will be a more significant part of the continually evolving Canadian multicultural heritage.

Indeed, our community has already become a significant part of the Canadian thumbprint, including two elected to the House of Commons and two appointed to the Senate. Beyond politicians, we have far more in the healthcare and caregiver fields and other service sectors. Our presence is increasingly felt in all facets of national life. More than mere statistical numbers, we have brought with us exceptional talents and skills, and a jewel box of cultural values and traditions, which we apply to whatever work we do.

Invitation to all to share our Filipino heritage story

Thus, I thought I should share my Filipino heritage story more fully starting in my next column/commentary, in the hope you, our readers, would also send in your own in the months to come to Pilipino Express and CFNet, or directly to reypagtakhan@gmail.com for subsequent sharing with our greater Canadian Filipino community. Thereby, we can all harvest the many benefits alluded to above.

Everyone, I am sure, has a unique heritage story to tell and share. Our Filipino heritage stories may reflect our struggles and triumphs, our achievements and accomplishments, within or beyond our dreams. Whatever the case, alone or joined with others, I am confident these stories would inform, inspire, entertain, and enhance a positive Filipino image – or, from the viewpoint of the Multiculturalism Branch of the Canadian Heritage Department, “reflect historical and cultural milestones that help define the rich and significant history” of Canada’s multicultural communities.

Begin to tell and share your own Filipino Heritage story!

Dr. Rey Pagtakhan is a retired Canadian Filipino physician, professor, and parliamentarian.