Filipino community celebrates food, friendship (10 photos)

People from all walks of life came to Bellevue Park Sunday for the 6th annual FILCAN Day, in order to enjoy a few hours of food and entertainment. 

Roberto Rivera with the Filipino Canadian Community of Sault Ste. Marie says the event started as a way to get to know other Filipino people in the city.  

Rivera tells SooToday that the Filipino community is growing in the city, and that he would like to keep the annual event going for his two children, ages 10 and 13. 

“Pass it to my kids to know about our tradition, our culture - and seeing also who’s here in Sault Ste. Marie,” said Rivera. “It’s nice that they will know their heritage.”

Filipino gatherings in the Sault began as house parties, eventually growing into two organized events each year - FILCAN Day, and a traditional Filipino Christmas gathering. 

Now, Rivera says, people are relocating from both southern Ontario and the Philippines in order to live in the Sault, citing a lowered cost of living and having more time with family. 

“They love the city,” Rivera said.