An appreciation for Canadian holidays
Filipino community embraces wintry Christmas
A mid-december evening and St. Theresa’s Parish Hall in Sydney is alive with laughter and merriment as it plays host to one of the many Christmas parties going on across the municipality.
But upon entering, it quickly becomes apparent this event is not exactly your traditional Cape Breton celebration.
Sure, there are tables of food and drink ready to satisfy the hungry and thirsty gathering. The room is adorned with seasonal decorations including a beautiful tree. And, there’s a buzz in the air that Santa, possibly carrying a bulging bag of gifts, may soon be making an appearance.
It’s like any other Christmas party — except the majority of the 200 or so people in attendance are from the Philippines, an archipelago nation of more than 7,000 islands in Southeast Asia, situated some 13,000 kilometres from Cape Breton. It is a tropical and mountainous land with more than a few active volcanoes.
One might think most of the 250 Filipinos living in Cape Breton would find a wintry Christmas a daunting proposition.
“Sometimes it’s cold here, but I like the snow and the different seasons,” said Annajane Dupe, a Filipina who lives in New Waterford with husband Jay, a native Cape Bretoner.
Sitting a few seats away at the same table is the husband and wife, doctor and nurse team of Dr. Jaime and Nerie Bellen. The couple has lived in Cape Breton since the mid-1970s.
“When we came here there were very few Filipinos in Nova Scotia and now it is very good to see so many of our people here – they’re happy to be here and are appreciative of the opportunities,” said Dr. Bellen, who, along with his wife, founded the Filipino Association of Cape Breton, an organization that promotes special events and celebrations, and encourages Filipinos to become more active in their local communities.
And what’s notable about this Filipino gathering is the number of non-filipinos in attendance. Some, like life-long Sydney resident Frank Abbass, have become familiar with a few members of the Filipino community.
“They’re all very nice people and I like the food,” said Abbass.
While the predominantly Catholic Filipinos respect the religious aspects of Christmas, many children at the party still enjoy a visit from the Jolly One.
Association vice- president Ruby de Loyala, a permanent Canadian resident who brought her two teenage sons to Sydney last March, said Filipino people are accustomed to either working away from home or having family members work abroad. And, she said, they are very appreciative of the opportunity to earn enough money to be able to send some home every month.
“For example, a nurse in the Philippines makes about $350 CDN per month, over here they can work a minimum-wage job, pay their rent and live and still send money home,” said de Loyola.
It’s estimated about 10 per cent of the Philippines population of 101 million people regularly work abroad, with many counted upon to send funds home.
But, de Loyola said, despite the economic problems that lead them away from their home country, most Filipinos have a positive disposition and strive to make the most of their situation.
“Filipinos aren’t rich people, but we love to have fun, we love to laugh and to socialize and spend time with our friends — we also love to eat,” she said, with a laugh.
Gee, sounds as if she was talking about Cape Breton folk.