New breed of Fil-Canadians

Filipinos are extremely talented people! Unfortunately, this blessed talent is often overshadowed by misdemeanors and shameful shenanigans that attract wide media coverage. As we all know, talent when not used properly can be destructive like when some Filipinos utilize their inborn creative talent to break the law, evade taxes, con people, steal money from government funds, cheat in elections, fake documents and other criminal acts. Sadly, many Filipinos would describe these Pinoys admirably as "matalino", "matinik", "maabilidad", "magaling", klever (clever) or "walastic talaga", "maulo". As can be expected, there are known Filipino con-men in British Columbia and they have a following due to their charismatic and smooth conmanship style.

Then, there are those Filipino-Canadians who are professional fund-raisers as if it is their main source of income. They are tireless in organizing endless dinner-dance fund-raising events and drives. They are continuously asking for money and donations for various causes.

There are also rich ones who are residing in the province (in expensive enclaves) but with a low profile existence because they have something to hide, a sinister past that when exposed will reveal shady deals in the Philippines. They strive for total anonymity but like to brag about influential affinity in the old country. It is similar to some Filipinos here who won’t let you forget that they are from exclusive schools for the rich (Assumption, Ateneo, La Salle, Maryknoll, St. Theresa’s, San Beda). As we all know, you can’t keep secrets from the Filipino community. They talk, mostly behind your back. There’s always the telephone, the far-reaching Internet and for those not into modern technology, there will always be the old reliable jungle drums, and lip service.

But things are changing in the Filipino community in British Columbia. The demographic difference in the Philippine community is clearly noticeable in 2006.

Here are some of my personal observations:

• There are more educated and professional, English-speaking Filipino immigrants from the middle class, with urban, city lifestyle. Many are with children who are studying and can easily adapt to the Canadian way of life.

• The younger generation are more visible, specially the second generation. They are Filipinos who are employed. You see them everywhere, supermarkets, offices, coffee shops, restaurants, hotels, doctor’s and dentist’s offices, government agencies etc., so they have more spending power.

• There’s changing of guards in the community social circles, associations, clubs, centers as the oldtimers die, retire or replaced, sometimes eradicated by younger, more democratic and transparent, focused new lions. Hopefully, they have no hidden agenda like the old ones who crave to be recognized as prominent leaders of the community with the hope of going into politics.

• The social interaction and networking is no longer limited to church activities. There are now new social venues to meet new people and friends, not restricted to just Filipinos, but multi-cultural. For a start, there’s the Internet again, theater, karaoke bars, coffee shops, bookstores, musical presentations, cruises, business meetings.

• The younger Filipino immigrants and baby boomers are more entrepreneurial. Some are daring and visionary business people. They would like to be self-employed instead of just wanting to work for someone to generate basic income.

• There’s a variety of media available to dispatch or gather news about the Philippines and Filipinos living in Vancouver. Newspapers, radio programs, television shows, Pinoy movies on TV and DVD outlets are abundant. There’s really a lot of information about the Philippines that I feel I may develop attention-deficit disorder, from data overload.

Nellie Vandt’s companies Adanac and Phil Promotions is bringing Pops Fernandez and Regine Velasquez to Vancouver, today, March 26 at The Centre for Performing Arts. Erik Santos (Star in a Million Champion 2004) is the special guest performer.