Filipino Night celebrates culture with sold-out event in St. John's after 7-year hiatus
Event organized by N.L.'s Filipino association includes performances, food and games
After a seven-year hiatus, hundreds came together once again to celebrate their culture and heritage during Filipino Night 2024.
The event was organized by the Filipino Association of Newfoundland and Labrador and held in the gym of East Point Elementary in St. John's.
After months of hard work, says association director Romel Maligaya, it was great to see so many attend.
"A lot of us are excited because we have a lot more newcomers nowadays, so they have not witnessed any of this," said Maligaya.
"Most of us have seen this a few times, but a good number of us have not seen this, so they're excited also."
While the first Filipinos arrived in the province in the 1950s, said Romel, the association wasn't formed until 1967. Its annual Filipino Night was celebrated until the group's 50th anniversary in 2017 but had been on hold ever since — until now.
Featuring dances, songs, and educational short films about the Philippines, as well as food and games, it's held to coincide with Philippine Independence Day on June 12.
For Filipinos in the province, said Romel, it's crucial in providing a sense of togetherness.
"I'm pretty sure most Newfoundlanders will do the same thing also when they are away," he said.
"When the newcomers come here and then hear about this event, they're quite excited because now, they will experience, at least even for one night, how to feel at home again, with their folks, seeing people in our traditional costume, eating our own food and hearing our music."
Eric Elli has been a member of the association since 1993, when he moved to St. John's. As a former president who's still involved as an adviser today, he has seen its mission change.
"Initially, the goal of the people forming the association is just for camaraderie because … when you're away from your home, you tend to gravitate toward each other with the same culture," he said.
"And then, it became bigger and bigger. And now, it evolved into a culture where they just wanted to share it with the Newfoundlanders, our songs, our culture, our dances."
The association, said Elli, tasks itself with welcoming newcomers to the province and helping them adapt to the culture. While the association had difficulties years ago finding performers and volunteers for the event, he said, more than 5,000 Filipinos live across the province now, with about 2,000 in and around St. John's alone.
"I said, 'As long as we reach 50 years, I'm happy.' I didn't expect that we will still be here after 57 years. We just wanted the Golden Jubilee," he said. "And now 57. That's a milestone."
That milestone was also celebrated at Saturday night's event, which Maligaya said had a great turnout. While 260 tickets were sold for the event, he said, demand was much higher but couldn't be accommodated due to the building's capacity.
Those who did manage to get a ticket witnessed the result of months-long preparations and performance practices.
"Today is the culmination of it," he said.
"Once we see the smiles on the people after the party, it's all worth it."
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