Too many youth are unaware of the Filipino culture, history and language. This is the message from youth who gathered in Slocan Park on Philippine Independence Day. It was a hot afternoon on June 6 when they rallied outdoors, prompting the community to take action by integrating the Filipina language into the school system.
“As our community marks the Philippines’ 117th Independence Day, it’s important to both celebrate how far we’ve come – and recognize how much we still need to do,” says Filipino-born Canadian James Infante, executive member of University of British Columbia’s Filipino Students Association.
[I]n the coming weeks and months, we will introduce a campaign calling on school boards to include the Filipino language as a course offer[ed] in the school system.” – James Infante, University of British Columbia’s Filipino Students Association
“And one of the things we need to address is the youth’s increasing lack of awareness about the Filipino culture, history and language. So in the coming weeks and months, we will introduce a campaign calling on school boards to include the Filipino language as a course offer[ed] in the school system,” he added.
Infante wanted the day’s events to also remind the community about the Philippine revolution of 1896, when over a century ago, sacrifices were made so freedom could be gained for the Filipino people of today.
In British Columbia high schools, French is compulsory until grade 10. Other languages such as Spanish are available at some schools.
Published in Partnership with The Filipino Post.
