Philippine Women Centre of B.C.
Press Release

Overseas Filipinos in Canada gather to pay tribute to Filipina mothers

May 17, 2008

Around 100 people came together last May 11, at the Kalayaan (Freedom) Centre in Vancouver, to celebrate Mothers’ Day under the theme, “Ina, Abante! Kumilos, makibaka para sa hustisya, karapatan, at dignidad!” (Mothers, move forward to struggle for justice, our rights and dignity!) 

“Through this annual celebration, we hope not only to acknowledge the hard work of our mothers, but also raise awareness about the current situation of Filipina women here in Canada and in the Philippines,” said Niki Silva of the Philippine Women Centre of BC (PWC of BC).  “It was quite an emotional morning of smiles, laughter, and tears as we recognized and showed our appreciation to all the mothers in the room and all over the world making sacrifices for their families,” said Silva.

After sharing a breakfast meal prepared by members of the Filipino-Canadian Youth Alliance/Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada (UKPC-FCYA) and other food donated by community members, the program began with a cultural performance lead by SIKLAB, (Advance and Uphold the Rights of Overseas Filipino Workers).  An interpretative dance to the song, “Awit ng Isang Ina” (Song of a Mother) touched on the hardships and sacrifices of Filipino working women whose, “hands that rock the cradle, now learn to fight for the nation.” SIKLAB members then sang a Tagalog song called, “Inay” (Mother) written from the perspective of a child whose mother is a migrant worker that has gone abroad.  She tells about her wishes to have her mother home, begging her to return.  As the performers began to cry, it was difficult for the audience to hold in their tears. Many of them could relate, or have witnessed first hand, the same struggles that women face as part of Canada’s Live-In Caregiver Program (LCP).

Since the early 1980’s nearly 100,000 Filipino women have come to Canada under the LCP and its predecessor the Foreign Domestic Movement to work and live in the homes of wealthy Canadians taking care of children, the sick and elderly.

Their moving performance was then followed by speakers from each organization expressing how the LCP directly affects different sectors of the community and calling for the scrapping of the LCP and the Philippines’ Labor Export Policy.

“As the prices of rice and other commodities rise in the Philippines, it is no wonder that more families are unable to pay for their basic expenses such as water, electricity and food,” read Leah Diana, Vice-Chairperson of the PWC of BC from a statement.  “Many mothers are forced to migrate abroad leaving their families behind. The years of separation leave both mothers and children traumatized, and the Canadian government fails to see the long term effects on these families,” said Diana.  Participants also commemorated the women and children all over Canada that have recently died or were victims of racism because of the LCP. 

May Farrales, Chairperson for the BC Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines, also acknowledged women in the Philippines who have disappeared or lost their lives or whose children have been killed or disappeared fighting for rights such as human rights workers Eden Marcellana and Beng Hernandez. Farrales also paid tribute to the mother of Beng Hernandez and the mothers of the disappeared students Karen Empeno and Sherlyn Cadapan who continue to campaign for their children’s surfacing and against all violations of human rights.  She said the number of human rights violations in the Philippines has already risen to over 900 under the current corrupt and puppet president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s regime.

The program ended off with a greeting and cultural performance by members of UKPC-FCYA.  Mildred German of UKPC-FCYA cited the issues of newly-arrived youth, particularly the children of former live-in caregivers who face the trauma of family separation, migration and reunification. She paid tribute to all mothers on behalf the youth. Carlo Sayo, Chairperson of UKPC-FCYA-National, closed the program with a poem about observing a migrant woman, hard at work cleaning tables and floors, wondering what her story was. The poet then challenges himself to approach her and points to the need to organize overseas Filipino for their rights and welfare in Canada and connect their issues back to the root problems in the Philippines. 

To close the day, children presented their mothers with roses and carnations generously donated by Pat Cocco and Pacific Florist.  Women whose children were not there to celebrate the special occasion were also presented with flowers by other members of the centre. 

The day raised many questions such as, “Why is there the lack of universal childcare for all women?” and “Why are these Filipinas suffering, serving as nannies to Canadian families because of it?” 

The morning ended with a strong sense of community and support, paying tribute to the strength of Filipina mothers, particularly those in Canada under the LCP all over the world.

Participants then joined the annual Mothers’ Day march and rally lead by local women’s advocacy group Grassroots Women – B.C. calling for mothers to resist imperialism as the system that exploits and oppresses women and justice for all mothers in Canada.

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For photos of the Philippine Women Centre of B.C.'s Annual Mother's Day Celebration, please visit: http://kalayaancentre.net/assets/images/photos/2008/11may08_mothersday.htm

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