A proud day for Cochrane's vibrant Filipino community

A small gathering was held to celebrate Philippines Independence Day on June 12 by Cochrane's largest minority group.

The executive of the Filipino Canadian Association of Cochrane Alberta (FCACA) held a flag ceremony, followed by a small picnic at the Cochrane Ranche to mark 123 years of independence for the Philippines.

"We are holding this simple celebration to commemorate the freedom that we won 123 years ago in the Philippines. This is a very special day for Filipinos all over the world," says FCACA vice-president Edwin Aguanta.

Later on that evening, a virtual DJ event was provided by DJ Ariel, Pinoys Cochrane, and FCACA Canada.

Paul Singh generously provided a cake for the picnic, decorated like a Philippines flag.

Cochrane's Filipino community has grown in recent years, but it wasn't always that way.

FCACA secretary Milo Prout has lived 50 years of her life outside of the Philippines, over 26 of those in Cochrane. She moved here with her husband and two young boys from Calgary.

Prout was the first Filipino in town. At first, she said was mistaken by some to be from the Stoney Nakoda Nation.

"At that time, it was kind of lonely because I felt isolated. Cochrane was very small, and there were no other Filipinos here.

"I'm so blessed to have a family like them (pointing to others in attendance) who are very, very proud of our heritage and culture and work very hard to promote it."

She's highly active in the FCACA. She coordinated their highly successful roadside cleanup in May. Now she's preparing to teach youth art this summer. Two groups of four will be learning how to paint under her tutorship.

The self-taught artist has already donated 75 of her paintings to the association to help raise funds for disaster relief in the Philippines. They're being sold at Bubble Tea Brewers, 8-122-4th Ave. 

Caroline Barclay has lived in Cochrane for five years, moved to the country in 2003, and is a proud Canadian citizen. She says Independence Day is important to all Filipinos.

"Wherever we are in every part of the world, we can say that we are recognized as a free country."

This year's event pales to those in the past because of the pandemic. Aguanta says Filipinos are a festive people and plans are already in the works for a much larger celebration next year.

"We are anticipated that, and we're hoping that the town will celebrate with us," he says.

They are hoping to be able to briefly fly the Philippines flag on the courtesy flagstaff at the Cochrane RancheHouse to mark the occasion.

Filipino celebrations are known for their live music, traditional Tinikling dancing, family games, and warm fellowship. If possible, next year's event may include a traditional Bodo Fight meal that dispenses with cutlery and dishes.