Moira and Filipino representation

set up. It is, in short, one of the centres of “mainstream” culture in Winnipeg. Mainstream is a tricky term most of the time, but in this case, I just mean for the entire Winnipeg community. Events such as superstar bands and singers, events like Monster Jam, as well as a host of sports events bring thousands of Winnipeggers downtown to the venue. And, while the majority of those at the Moira concert were Filipino, it speaks to how “mainstream” the Filipino community has become. It represents, as I see it, a growing recognition of the Filipino community and its cultural richness.

Now, to those already in the Filipino community, this is no surprise, and one would be right to ask why it took so long. In many ways, Filipino culture gets a lot of time in the spotlight in Winnipeg. It has been a constant at the world renowned Folklorama since its inception in 1970 and every June, various community groups take to the parks of Winnipeg and celebrate Philippine independence. But Filipinos have yet to find representation outside of these special events. I think it is very important that the Canada

Life Centre is now a venue associated with the Filipino community. It is the site of what many view as quintessential to Canada’s cultural life – hockey – and has seen numerous big acts take to the stage within its walls. Now, Moira has claimed the site for the Filipino community.

As an aside, I think it’s also important to point out and celebrate that this was the first time a female Filipino took to the stage in Canada Life Centre. The arena could easily be seen as a site of masculinity in the city, as male dominated sports are played here and events such as Monster Jam drip with testosterone. For one night, Filipinas took over the stage with the help of their fellow male musicians.

As an immigration historian, the representation that the Moira concert represents is very important. Despite the fact that Canada’s population is incredibly diverse with people from around the world, it tends to present itself culturally in a way that doesn’t reflect the depth of its population. Take hockey as an example. It is indeed a sport with an intimate history with Canada’s people, but at the same time there are many who do not identify with it as being a cultural icon. There are Filipinos who enjoy the sport, but maybe not to the extent as do other segments of Winnipeg’s population. The point is that emphasizing hockey as something integral to Canadian identity, and recent narratives that not liking hockey is un-Canadian, are damaging to the inclusion of people in our country whose cultures may not value the sport quite the same.

While I would love to see Filipino cultural events like the Moira concert drawing crowds from outside the Filipino community, the growth of such events over the past few years in Winnipeg represent the strength of Filipino culture in the city. And hosting the Moira concert at Canada Life Centre was a way of the Filipino community staking a claim in Winnipeg’s cultural scene, of including itself in that “mainstream” group. The building, which is a site of major cultural events in the city, became the site of a major cultural event in the Filipino community.

In terms of representation, this means that Winnipeg as a whole should now be seeing the Filipino community as a part of the mosaic of the city’s culture. Many Filipinos have expressed that they do not feel included in Canada’s representations of itself. Years ago, when ANAK was designing its exhibit celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of Filipinos in Winnipeg, it was stated that the event was in part a response to the fact that this history was not included in wider narratives of Canadian history. Other cultural groups have found such inclusion in Winnipeg and Manitoban history, such as Ukrainians; Filipinos are not a new group in Canada, and have had innumerable contributions to Canadian society, so why the community is still excluded is a hard question to answer.

Representation is important because it tells people that they are welcome and appreciated in Canada, that they are seen, and that their voices contribute to the country’s society. Often, Filipinos are celebrated as being great workers, but this cannot be the only reason Filipinos are valued in Canada – it has to be more than the work they give, but their very presence as individuals with a unique culture. This is representation and while a concert at Canada Life Centre will not make this happen over night, it is a sign that things are moving in the right direction. Jon Malek received his PhD from Western University and currently teaches history at the University of Manitoba. He is working on a book manuscript on the history of the Winnipeg Filipino community.

Daniel Padilla is making a huge comeback on the big screen

Daniel Padilla is set to star in two new movies from ABSCBN Films to finally end his film hiatus.

The announcement came a month after his girlfriend Kathryn Bernardo revealed her upcoming projects.

Just in time for his birthday, Padilla said he will be doing a buddy comedy and a dark-themed

thriller that will redefine his image as a leading man.

“The beauty of DJ is niredefine niya who a true leading man is – the definition of a leading man. Kami sa ABS-CBN Films, and the audience, we admire DJ because of his box-office and cinematic excellence. Kasi si DJ ‘yung great combination nun e,” ABS-CBN Films head Kriz Gazmen said during the New

Media Alert press conference.

Padilla assured that the upcoming projects are different from his previous characters.

“It’s been a while. Itong mga proyektong gagawin natin ngayon ay handpicked. Na-feel nila ‘yung gusto kong gawin ngayon e. Now is the perfect time,” the ABSCBN heartthrob said.

The Guest Padilla will be leading the psychological suspense-thriller movie The Guest which they described as mind-blowing.

According to director Jerrold Tarog, the film features many twists and turns.

“Kind of imagining it na nasa modern-themed war. Marami siyang twists and turns bilang nasa puso ko ‘yung kadiliman. Medyo mindf**k na pelikula siya,” the director said.

Padilla will be working with award-winning actor John Arcilla in the Black Sheep movie, which also serves as the latter’s reunion film with Tarog after the hit biopic Heneral Luna.

The movie is set to be shot this year but will be aired next year.

Nang Mapagod si Kamatayan

Padilla was also excited to share that he will be making a

Daniel Padilla

GMA Pinoy TV’s new series – The Seed of Love

It is an intense and gripping tale of love and revenge starring Glaiza de Castro and highlytalented leading man Mike Tan. Playing important roles are dramatic actress Valerie Concepcion and well-rounded actor Boy2 Quizon.

“The Seed of Love” follows the story of Bobby (Mike) who decides to have his sperm frozen due to cancer scare. He has been in a long, tedious relationship with a bratty socialite Alexa (Valerie) until Bobby finally breaks up with her.

Later on, Bobby meets the optimistic and doting Eileen (Glaiza). Their love blossoms and soon, the two get married. Bobby

See SEED p13