Asian Heritage Month
Story Tools: PRINT | Text Size: S M L XL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACK

The Early Edition: Under the Radar: From Manila to Metro Vancouver: Interviews

Monday, May 12, 2008 | 08:01 PM ET
top-gallagher.jpg
Host: Margaret Gallagher

On Monday May 12 The Early Edition launched its weeklong series Under the Radar: From Manila to Metro Vancouver. We celebrated Filipinos in the Lower Mainland - from challenges to change.

Here's what we covered:

Monday May 12

Margaret Gallagher goes to Goldilocks. To Filipinos, Goldilocks is more than just a fairytale - it's an extremely popular bakery chain in the Philippines. We talk to Maj Yee Watch audio (runs 7:01), whose family started the business and who owns the flagship shop in Vancouver.


The Filipino-Canadians are a well established thriving community here in Vancouver. But how long have they been here? And why did many of them come? We'll get the bigger picture from Aprodicio Laquian Watch audio (runs 7:39), a UBC professor who's about to launch a book about the history of Filipino-Canadians in Canada.

The book launch for Seeking a Better Life Abroad: A Study of Filipinos in Canada is on May 20 at 5:00 p.m. at the UBC Centre for Asian Research.

The big question we're trying to answer this week is why we don't hear more from the Filipino community in Vancouver. We'll talk to Carmelita Tapia Watch audio (runs 5:17), a businesswoman and the president of the Southeast Asia Canada Business Council. She's trying to forge stronger ties between Vancouver and the Philippines - while encouraging others in the community to get involved.

Continue reading Under the Radar: From Manila to Metro Vancouver

RickCluff1.jpg
Host: Rick Cluff



R1_690_4c.jpg


Tuesday May 13

Rick heads up the road to the Catholic Church at Main and 12th Watch audio (runs 5:14). It's a hub for many Filipinos, who make up about 75 per cent of the congregation. He'll get a tour with Claudia Sisson and learn about how the church has changed and what it means to Filipinos searching for belonging.

Wednesday May 14

Many Filipinos come to Canada as live-in caregivers - with hopes of a better life for their family. But how fairly are they treated? We'll talk to Lotis Caluza, a nanny, and Lorina Serafico, a former nanny Watch audio (runs 7:19) who's now an advocate for domestic workers.

On Flavour of the Week , Margaret gets a glimpse and a taste of some Filipino delicacies when she visits the Grand Food Mart. Watch audio (runs 5:35)

Thursday May 15

One high school teacher is trying to reconnect youth to their culture - through choral music. We'll hear why Filipino-Canadian Chris Trinidad got inspired to reach for his roots by putting together a choir featuring music from Filipino composers and arrangers. Watch audio (runs 5:54)

Friday May 16

Rice shortages and the rising price of food mean that Filipino balikbayan boxes are more popular Watch audio (runs 5:41) - and important - than ever. Margaret Gallagher follows one of the companies that ships packages from workers in Vancouver to their families in the Philippines.

Rick talks to youth about the issues and challenges facing Filipinos in Vancouver. Watch audio (runs 7:07) Ayex Bathan, Chris Clamonte and Carlie David are helping to coordinate Roots Rhymes and Resistance - one of the year's biggest cultural showcases for the Filipino youth.

Roots Rhymes and Resistance is Friday May 23rd at Sir Charles Tupper Secondary from 6:30 to 10 p.m. For more information you can call 604-215-1103.



All this month we'll bring you stories from the Asian communities for Asian Heritage Month. Look for Margaret Gallagher's Flavour of the Week coming up. We'll learn the secrets of the leyshon - the Filipino pig roast. That's on the Early Edition, CBC Radio One, 690 A-M in Vancouver.

« Previous Post | Main | Next Post »

This entry is now Open. Submit your comment.

Story Tools: PRINT | Text Size: S M L XL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACK

Comments: (1)

Thelma Valle-Serrano (Vancouver) wrote:

A letter to TEE regarding their Under The Radar special for Asian Heritage Month.

I have listened to your show and wanted to give you feedback for a long while now, and being in character as other Filipino immigrants, I stayed under the radar. Another way of looking at how many of us respond to life is being as pliant as the bamboo. I have been here for almost three decades and I find that listening first and then speaking when one really has something to say usually works.

Maybe staying under the radar, being pliant as the bamboo, is a means of integrating, blending, yet keeping an essence of one's identity.

Thank you for giving us the limelight and giving us visibility, even for a moment. I love your show.

Thelma Valle-Serrano

Posted May 21, 2008 02:13 PM

Post a Comment

Disclaimer:

Note: By submitting your comments you acknowledge that CBC has the right to reproduce, broadcast and publicize those comments or any part thereof in any manner whatsoever. Please note that due to the volume of e-mails we receive, not all comments will be published, and those that are published will not be edited. But all will be carefully read, considered and appreciated.

Privacy Policy | Submissions Policy