Sault’s Filipino community given special gift during holiday celebration (10 photos)

Sunday marked an extra special Christmas celebration for the Sault’s Filipino community.

Jason Gauthier, Missanabie Cree First Nation chief, a guest at the 8th Annual Filipino Canadian Christmas Party held at the Marconi Multicultural Event Centre, announced the First Nation is donating $1,000 toward hoisting the flag of the Philippines among those of many other nations outside the Sault’s Civic Centre.

“Missanabie Cree will make sure the flag goes up... we’ll make sure that happens,” Gauthier said to a round of applause.

Roberto Rivera, of the Filipino Canadian Community of Sault Ste. Marie and organizer of Sunday’s party, told SooToday he estimates it will cost at least $2,000 to have a flagpole erected and the flag of the Philippines unfurled at the Civic Centre site, adding he and his community have desired to see the Philippines flag flying at the Civic Centre for some time. 

Rivera said there are over 100 people living in Sault Ste. Marie who come from the Philippines or are of Filipino descent.

“The Sault is home to me now,” smiled Rivera, a Sault Area Hospital employee who has lived in the community for 15 years.

The event, attended by over 150 people, was open to all cultures to enjoy and included music, traditional Filipino singing and dancing along with Filipino food.

“Every year we try to hold the party at a different venue, but the Local Immigration Partnership is trying to make the Marconi an officially multicultural event centre, so this is the first time we’re serving Filipino food to the community with the help of the Marconi,” Rivera said, describing Filipino food as a mix of sweet and spicy dishes.

“We’re working together to make it (the Marconi) a multicultural event centre, for everyone to enjoy...it’s everybody’s club,” said Rod Duhaime, Marconi Multicultural Event Centre food and beverage manager, speaking to the audience before a mixed meal of Italian and Filipino food was served.

“I used to live in Toronto after moving from the Philippines 10 years ago, but then I moved here in 2012 because I don’t want to raise my son in a big city. It’s chaos,” said Divina Bateman. 

“Canada is the most beautiful country I’ve ever been to. I’ve been to Dubai, to Europe, but this is the best country I’ve ever been to in terms of healthcare...I’m so very grateful,” said Bateman, who works as a personal support worker (PSW) at the FJ Davey Home.

“This is my home,” Bateman said, adding she never gets homesick because she communicates with her family regularly online.