The Winnipeg Chapter of the Knights of Rizal (KoR) and the Manitoba Association of Filipino Teachers Inc. (MAFTI) held a forum on family and culture at the Philippine Canadian Cultural Centre (PCCM) on Saturday, May 29. Representatives from various Asian seniors organizations discussed their respective cultures and traditions in this first in a series of three forums organized as part of the Innovative Cultural Approaches in the Prevention of Elder Abuse or ICAPEA project. The initiative is designed to raise awareness of elder abuse in the public, especially among seniors from the Asian communities who may not be fully aware of their rights in Canadian society.

The Honourable Dr. Rey Pagtakhan moderated the forum, which included presentations from Art Miki, Debbie Guo, Dr. Won Kyum Kim, Harry Lee, Hien Tran, Esther Tran, Bounloy Vongrathsavay and Gemma Dalayoan.

Organizers Dr. Tom Colina and Jean Guiang opened the forum after the invocation by Rev. Dr. Neil Parado. All three levels of government also addressed the forum with greetings from Joy Smith (MP for Kildonan-St. Paul), the Honourable Flor Marcelino (Manitoba Minister of Culture, Heritage and Tourism) and Councillor Mike Pagtakhan (Point Douglas).

Two more forums will be held in August and October.

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