The Filipino community celebrated Philippines Independence Day on Thursday (June 12) with a flag raising as they reflected on the challenges of the past year.

Hosted by the Jasper Filipino-Canadian Society, the second Filipino Flag Raising Ceremony took place in Commemoration Park where attendees took shelter from the rain on the CN Stage.

“Today, we raise the Philippine flag in honour of those who have sacrificed so much, giving their time, energy and presence, often far from their families, to work, serve and support life in this community,” said Charlene Tio-tio Manguera during remarks at the event.

Observed on June 12, Philippines Independence Day commemorates the declaration of Philippine independence from Spain in 1898. As well, Filipino Heritage Month is observed in Canada during the month of June.

The program began with a land acknowledgment from Virginila Cerezo and a prayer of thanksgiving from Ruby Tio-tio, who paid special mention to those affected by the Jasper wildfire and the recent car attack at the Lapu-Lapu Day festival in Vancouver.

Ti-tio Manguera noted how nearly a million Filipinos now call Canada home, and according to 2021 statistics, the Philippines is the third largest source of immigrants to Canada, following India and China.

Across the country, Filipinos contribute to health care, hospitality, retail trades and various other sectors. Ti-tio Manguera described how many worked multiple jobs and made significant sacrifices, often living far from loved ones, to help build a better future in Jasper.

“The Filipino story spans several decades,” she said. “The first Filipinos arrived in the 1980s with more joining through the 1990s, including myself and my family, who nearly moved in Jasper 30 years ago, and over the years, the community has grown and become a familiar and valued part of a life in this town.”

Prior to the wildfire, there were roughly 450 Filipinos living in Jasper, but many have been forced to leave due to the housing shortage.

“It was a deeply difficult time for all of us as families navigated the loss of their homes and worked to rebuild their lives,” Ti-tio Manguera said. “Yet despite these challenges, Filipinos continue to play important roles and uplift Jasper. You will see many smiling faces working in grocery stores, restaurants, hotels, retail shops, hospitals, senior homes, banks and many more places.”

Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland said he was honoured to participate in the raising of the Philippine flag for the second consecutive year.

“Each one of us, regardless of nationality, can recognize the irreplaceable value of flags as symbols and in particular symbols of home, and such a symbol is all the more powerful when seen by someone who, like so many of you, are so far away from home,” Ireland said.

Ireland acknowledged how the local Filipino community, like other residents, had “suffered unexpected, unfathomable loss, heartbreak and displacement.”

“Yet despite that loss, they – again, like so many others – continue to contribute to this community, to rebuild it, to enrich it, economically, socially and culturally,” he said. “And our community is so honoured, so grateful that so many of the Filipino diaspora have settled here.”

After the singing of “O Canada,” attendees sang the Philippine National Anthem as the Philippine flag was raised.

“As Jasper moves forward in recovery, let us remember true strength lies in unity, in working together as neighbours, colleagues and community,” Ti-tio Manguera added. “As we raise our flag, we celebrate not only our heritage, independence and culture, but also our resilience, unity and shared hope for the future of our beloved Jasper.”