Philippine Women Centre of B.C.
Press Release

Young Filipino women in Canada to define their roles in historic gathering

June 13, 2008

VANCOUVER, B.C. – While Filipinos across BC hold traditional celebrations this weekend to mark Philippine Independence Day against Spanish colonization, around 40 young Filipino women will mark the occasion in a different way by gathering for a historic one-day conference: "Kabataang Babae Sulong para sa Kinabukasan!" (Young Filipino women struggle forward for our future!). The conference aims to better understand the situation of young Filipino women within the community and Canadian society. It is the first of its kind.

The conference will be held tomorrow, Saturday, June 14, 2008 at Vancouver Community College, Room 112, 250 West Pender Street, in Vancouver. Media are cordially invited to cover the morning session from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon.

"Traditionally, Filipino communities gather this weekend to express culturally, what it means to be a Filipino, through festivals, exchanging food, song, and dance," says Niki Silva, conference organizer and member of the Philippine Women Centre of BC. "We have chosen to go beyond these traditional events, by gathering to share our personal experiences and define our collective voice for the betterment of our community," says Silva.

In an updated Statistics Canada report, Filipino women comprise 57 percent of the overall Filipino community, 62 percent are between the ages of 25-44. Their average annual income is $22,500, approximately $8000 less than the average Canadian. According to the 2006 Statistics Canada census, Filipinos are the third largest visible minority in BC, numbering 88,100. There are approximately 500,000 Filipinos across Canada.

"I feel it is important to be proud of the role women have played throughout our history of resistance, and to keep that spirit alive by continuing to define our roles here as young, Filipino women in Canada," says Silva. She cites the example of Gabriela Silang, a young Filipina widow who stood at the forefront of the Filipino revolution against Spanish colonization.

"By bringing together the young women of our community, identifying our issues and working together to find solutions, we too can carry on the legacy of women leading the way to true independence," says Silva.

She says the Philippines has never been an independent nation due to U.S. colonization, immediately following the Filipino people's victory against Spain in 1898 and neo-colonization which exists until today. She says June 12 however still marks the 110th anniversary of the Filipino people's victory against Spanish colonization.

"Currently, Filipinos are still fighting the presence of U.S. economic and military interests in the Philippines," says Silva. "Regardless, Filipinos around the world are celebrating their independence in various ways, bringing together a people whose rich and vibrant history of struggle and resistance is as alive today as it was over a century ago," she says.

The conference is being organized by the Philippine Women Centre of BC-Young Women's Committee.

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"Kabataang Babae Sulong para sa Kinabukasan" (Young Filipino women struggle forward for our future!)
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Vancouver Community College, Room 112
250 West Pender Street,
Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, BC

For more information and media interviews, please contact Denise Valdecantos or Niki Silva at 604-215-1103, pwc@kalayaancentre.net

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