City’s Filipino community welcomes newcomers
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.00 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.00 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
The Westman Filipino Community welcomed newcomers during its annual Thanksgiving Celebration Day at the North End Community Centre on Saturday.
The all-day event was dedicated to gratitude, connection and support for both longtime members and newcomers, the group’s president, Joseph Mamuric, told the Sun.
He said that about 10 newcomers attended the celebration, with more expected to join throughout the day.
Westman Filipino Community members and guests pose for a group shot during their annual Thanksgiving Celebration Day at the North End Community Centre on Saturday. (Abiola Odutola/The Brandon Sun)
“It’s nice to see new faces,” he said. “Events like this help them meet people, learn about important topics like housing and start to feel at home.”
Although it’s for the Filipino community, he said, it’s open to whoever wants to come. “It’s a day to give thanks to our volunteers for what they’ve done so far this year and to share updates on what’s ahead.”
He said the day’s program blended fitness, education and fellowship, adding the morning began with a Zumba session for seniors and others eager to stay active, followed by informative presentations on real estate — one from local Royal LePage agents explaining how to navigate Canada’s housing market, and another from Ayala Land, a Philippine developer, outlining opportunities for those considering property investments or retirement back home.
The afternoon’s potluck meal — highlighted by a traditional lechon (whole roasted pig) — brought the community together in true Filipino fashion, followed by a trivia night for lighthearted fun, Mamuric said.
Looking ahead, the Westman Filipino Community is planning a Halloween party, Christmas celebration and preparations for February’s winter multicultural festival. But beyond social gatherings, Mamuric emphasized the group’s growing focus on education and newcomer support.
“We’re planning to do more seminars like this — not just on real estate, but also estate planning and financial literacy,” he said. “We want to make it more formalized in the future, and we’re also looking into offering language classes to help newcomers settle in better.”
The Thanksgiving event, Mamuric added, reflects the community’s spirit — one of gratitude, inclusion and shared progress.
“It’s about celebrating how far we’ve come, helping each other and giving thanks together as one community.”
» aodutola@brandonsun.com
» X: @AbiolaOdutola