Did you know that Pinoys in Winnipeg constitute nearly 10% of the city’s population? This is the highest proportion of Filipino residents in any Canadian city.
In the 2016 census, Toronto ranks #1 in total number of Filipino residents with 254,475, and Vancouver follows with 123,170. Winnipeg has 73,875 (Malek, 2019).
New immigrants from the Philippines was 19,645, which was 37.4% of total recent immigrants to Winnipeg in years 2011 to 2016 (Statistics Canada 2016 census). This is expected to continue to rise steadily in the coming years.
“Businesses in Winnipeg has targeted this growing community by hiring employees who can speak Tagalog.”
No wonder businesses in Winnipeg has targeted this growing community by hiring employees who can speak Tagalog. The number of churches offering Tagalog service has also grown.
Speaking of Tagalog, it has been reported that it is now the second most spoken language in Winnipeg after English, and outranking French, which is Canada’s other official language.
Filipino Groups
Along with the steady stream of arrivals, come an increase in the number of formal and informal groups from typical regional associations based on where people come from the Philippines (e.g. Solid Mindanaoans) to clubs based on interests (e.g. Filipino Photographers) or sports (e.g.many Filipino Basketball Leagues), and from organizations based on profession or employment (e.g. Filipino Engineers) to groups based on business affiliations (e.g. Manitoba Filipino Business Council).
There’s also the Manitoba Filipino Street Festival that brings these groups together every summer.
As a result, it has become increasingly difficult to rent community centers on desirable dates, especially during the holiday season as the above-mentioned groups get together.
Also competing for space are the many families and extended families whose numbers can no longer be accommodated in the biggest residence among their members.
Mahilig talagang magkita-kita, may okasyon man o wala, ang Pinoy. Kayo, kelan ang susunod na salu-salo?
Featured photo is courtesy of Joey Kiamco. Photo of the 2019 Manitoba Filipino Street Festival best decorative float entry from Solid Mindanaoans is courtesy of manitobafilipino.com.
