Across Winnipeg this month, families, community organizations, businesses, and cultural groups are coming together to celebrate Filipino Heritage Month and Philippine Independence Day. From community gatherings and cultural performances to events at the Filipino Cultural Center of Manitoba, June is a time to celebrate a rich history, honour the generations who came before us, and recognize the contributions that continue to shape our city today.
June 12 marks Philippine Independence Day, commemorating the country’s declaration of independence from Spain in 1898. For many, it is a celebration of freedom, resilience, identity, and pride. Here in Manitoba, it is also an opportunity to recognize a community that has become an essential part of our province’s social, cultural, and economic success.
Winnipeg is home to one of the largest Filipino populations outside the Philippines and one of the largest concentrations anywhere in Canada. Over the years, families have helped strengthen our healthcare system, educate our children, build successful businesses, serve in public institutions, and contribute to virtually every sector of our economy. Their contributions have helped shape the Winnipeg we know today.
When we talk about heritage, we often think of food, music, dance, festivals, and traditions. Those things are certainly important, but heritage is also preserved through education. Language, history, stories, and values are passed from one generation to the next through teaching and learning. Without those connections, culture can fade over time. With them, it continues to grow and thrive.
That is one reason why a milestone taking place at Maples Collegiate deserves recognition during Heritage Month. For the first time in Manitoba’s history, Grade 9 and Grade 10 students can enroll in a Filipino Studies elective at the high school level. The course introduces students to language, culture, history, and traditions while creating an opportunity to continue learning beyond the elementary years.
The new elective builds upon the foundation already established at Arthur E. Wright Community School, where students can study the language throughout their elementary education. Together, the programs create a pathway that allows young people to continue exploring their heritage and cultural identity throughout their school journey.
This achievement would not have been possible without the support and leadership of Seven Oaks School Division. New educational opportunities require vision, planning, and a willingness to invest in the future. By embracing the idea and helping bring it to life, the division has created a lasting opportunity for students and families that many hoped would one day become a reality.
Leading the inaugural class is Juan Jay Jimenez, who was born in Cavite, Philippines, and now proudly calls Manitoba home. Manitoba is fortunate to have many talented educators, and being selected to teach the province’s first high school course of its kind speaks to the confidence placed in his abilities, knowledge, and leadership.
While much attention has been given to the significance of the course itself, Jimenez is quick to focus on the students who have embraced the opportunity.
“The students have been incredible,” said Jimenez. “They come to class eager to learn, willing to participate, and genuinely interested in understanding both the language and culture. Watching their confidence grow and seeing them connect with the material has been the most rewarding part of this experience.”
Interest in the course was strong from the beginning. Twenty-four students secured spots in the inaugural intake, while many others expressed interest in joining. That level of demand demonstrates that students and families see real value in opportunities that connect learning with culture, language, and identity.
One of the strengths of the course is that it is open to everyone. While it offers students with Filipino roots an opportunity to strengthen their connection to their heritage, it also welcomes those interested in learning a new language and gaining a deeper understanding of a community that plays a major role in Winnipeg’s story. In that sense, the classroom reflects the broader purpose of Heritage Month itself, which is to encourage learning, understanding, and appreciation across cultures.
As someone who has spent decades working alongside Winnipeg’s Filipino community, I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the tremendous contributions families have made to our city. Their impact can be found everywhere, from hospitals and schools to businesses, community organizations, and public institutions. The success of this community is very much part of Winnipeg’s success.
One of the unexpected privileges of being on a journey to become Winnipeg’s next mayor is the opportunity to see stories like this unfolding throughout our city. You meet educators who inspire young people, community leaders who preserve culture and history, and families who work tirelessly to create opportunities for the next generation. Programs like the one at Maples Collegiate remind us that some of the most important investments we make are not measured in dollars, but in the knowledge, pride, and opportunities we pass on to our youth.
As celebrations continue across Winnipeg and at the Filipino Cultural Center of Manitoba, there is much to be proud of. Heritage is not simply about remembering the past. It is about ensuring that language, traditions, stories, and values continue to be shared with future generations. The inaugural Filipino Studies class at Maples Collegiate is a powerful example of that commitment in action.
As we celebrate Filipino Heritage Month and Philippine Independence Day, congratulations to the students, educators, families, Seven Oaks School Division, and community leaders who helped make this milestone possible. Their efforts are helping preserve a rich cultural legacy while building a stronger and more connected future for generations to come.
Happy Filipino Heritage Month.
