UKPC/FCYA-ON
Press Release
August 20, 2008

Filipino Community’s Issues and Challenges Expressed by Youth at Successful Cultural Night

On August 7, 2008, Ugnayan Ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada/Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance of Ontario (UKPC/FCYA-ON) hosted its first cultural and open mic night, “Pinoy Poetiks”, at the University of Toronto’s historic Hart House.

Nearly 100 youth of Filipino descent ranging from different backgrounds and age groups attended, with over 20 different performers. The event was held to fundraise for the organization’s upcoming “Balik Ugat Balik Komunidad” (Reclaiming our Roots, Back to the Community) capacity-building workshop series, as well as the “Filipino Community and Beyond: Towards Full Participation in a Multicultural and Multi-ethnic Canada” national research conference held by the National Alliance of Philippine Women in Canada with Heritage and Multiculturalism Canada, commencing this upcoming November at the University of Toronto.

The evening was opened by members of UKPC, including some well-known artists, R. Scribe, Dagamuffin and UGN Son, and FenaxiZ. Pinoy Poetiks showcased the rich talent of young Filipinos and expressed the diversity of their voices through spoken word, poetry, song and dance, while highlighting the themes in the “Balik Ugat Balik Komunidad” workshop series, such as systemic racism, the women’s question, Filipino migration and Philippine history. Initiated by UKPC’s Cultural Committee, the event’s objective was to explore these issues through the arts and to express empowerment, as well as the youth’s activism to these causes for the community. “Expression of activism and resistance through different artistic media is an effective tool for consciousness-raising and community empowerment” stated Qara Clemente, one of the night’s emcees. “The significant role culture plays in our society extends to all sectors of the community, not just within the youth.”

The event allowed the attendees to see the growing talent within Filipino youth, as well as the issues that surround them on a daily basis. “I was able to hear youth express frankly on their experiences of racism, family separation, and of being young women and young immigrants”, stated Bryan Taguba a UKPC member. “It’s clear that cultural expression of our issues is needed among us”.

UKPC/FCYA-ON is the result of dynamism of Filipino youth and our desire to build a strong and united Filipino community that reflects the vision of a genuinely just and free society where marginalized people are no longer exploited and oppressed.

For more information, contact Ian Nillas at 416-519-2553 or email ukpc-on@magkaisacentre.org.