Since arriving in Canada, I've been on a quest to connect with the unique aspects of Filipino culture. The Philippines' music, handicrafts, and food, each with their distinct charm, bring back memories of the melody, touch, and taste several thousand miles from home.
To celebrate our shared Filipino culture and cuisine, we're fortunate to be part of Canada's first-ever Filipino Restaurant Month. This initiative was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Philippine Department of Tourism, the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa, and the Philippine Consulates in Calgary, Toronto, and Vancouver, uniting us all in this cultural celebration.
It's a celebration of Filipino touch, taste, and sound in a month-long food festival style participated by 40 Filipino restaurants across Canada.
After our afternoon walk in the park, we visited a Filipino restaurant in Surrey, British Columbia. We had a sumptuous dinner in Grandt Kitchen, where they served a platter of various Filipino dishes.
What made it festive was when the restaurant was full of Filipino diners and the presence of a live band playing a selection of romantic OPM songs that gave a nostalgic feel.
Celebrating Filipino Restaurant Month in Canada is a great way to level up our cuisine and put it in the mainstream where other competing Asian cuisine seems to dominate.
It's our duty to support our food and take pride in being Filipino. By doing so, we contribute to the elevation of our Filipino cuisine to the global stage, a responsibility we should all be proud to uphold.
The inaugural Filipino Restaurant Month in Canada was a resounding success, thanks to the enthusiastic participation of the Filipino community. With such strong support, we can look forward to even larger and more widespread celebrations in the future.
We have to offer the best of our Filipino cuisine to the world. We must showcase our culture, live on with our traditions, and pass them from generation to generation. Our Filipino spirit will always be alive wherever we are in the world.
©️ 2022 Del Cusay