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BC's largest Filipino Festival "Pinoy Festival" returns to celebrate Filipino Heritage Month, the 128th Anniversary of Philippine Independence, and the unifying spirit of the FIFA World Cup with a free, cultural celebration in Burnaby at Swangard Stadium. About Pinoy Festival Pinoy Festival 2026 is open to all communities. Multicultural organizations are invited to join through the Solidarity Parade, cultural performances, and community booths. The festival is a volunteer-driven event organized by the Pinoy Festival Alliance, a coalition of Filipino organizations from across British Columbia, and is built on the Filipino value of Bayanihan, the spirit of collective unity and helping one another. About Kim LacanariaAs a first-generation immigrant, she is driven by a vision to create safe and welcoming spaces where young immigrants can experience a sense of “home” in Canada. At 16, Kimberly brought this vision to life by founding Palarong Pinoy, an event that united students across the Vancouver School Board to celebrate Filipino heritage, successfully running it for two consecutive years (2024, 2025). As the Co-Founder, she hopes to continue the legacy and expand it provincially.  In 2024, she joined the Sea Cadet Program, earning the rank of Petty Officer First Class and receiving the 2025 Seamanship and Leadership Award, the Strathcona Medal of Excellence, and the Perpetual Award in 2026. She is the inaugural recipient of the Benson Flores Award presented by Pinoy Festival Alliance. Kimberly exemplifies leadership, service, and cultural pride. As a SHINE recipient of the Beedie Luminary Scholarship, she continues to build bridges, inspire the next generation, and make a lasting, meaningful impact while remaining grounded in heritage and purpose.

Hello again fam! Welcome to Filipino Fridays. It's been a minute since our last episode, so tune in for an update and food for thought regarding Community (work) and community care. How do we define community? What does that mean for us? How do we want to show up for others? All that and more on our comeback episode! Follow Filipino Fridays Podcast on instagram: @filipinofridayspodcast Email us at [email protected] Music: hot Coffee by Patrick Patrikios

Welcome back to Filipino Fridays! It's been a minute fam and we're so excited to have Arthur Tiojanco on this episode. In honor of the Vancouver Street Dance Festival's 10-Year Anniversary, we have the honor of speaking with our special guest on seeing the community event grow into one of Canada's largest outdoor street dance festivals! Arthur shares how the love of hip-hop and breakdancing led to work as a community organizer. We speak about the joy of seeing our Filipino brothers and sisters thrive in the art of street dance culture and finding spaces within dance where we belong. With breakdance set to debut at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, there's exciting times ahead for street dance. ABOUT ARTHUR TIOJANCO Arthur Tiojanco began his breaking career in 2003 and has worked his way to be recognized as a leading individual in the Vancouver breaking scene. He is a member of Surrey’s oldest, active breaking crew “Floor Storm”, and has competed locally and internationally. In 2007, Arthur organized and hosted his first breaking competition with PraiseTEAM Studio. Since then, he has organized dozens of battles in the Lower Mainland. He is the current Vice Chair of the Vancouver Street Dance Association, which puts on the Vancouver Street Dance Festival at Robson Square, the largest annual outdoor Street Dance Festival in Canada! Outside of street dance, Arthur works as a program Facilitator for after school programs in the Surrey School District. He is also currently completing his Master Degree in Clinical Counseling. Follow Filipino Fridays Podcast on Instagram: @FilipinoFridaysPodcast / Email us at [email protected] / Music: Hot Coffee by Patrick Patrikios

Welcome back to Filipino Fridays! Incredible episode for you today as we present the re-broadcast of our live show! Mabuhay!

Welcome back to Filipino Fridays fam! . In partnership with Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society, explorASIAN Festival and CiTR101.9FM, every week in May, Filipino Fridays Podcast will be featuring emerging Filipino artists to perform live music sessions at the CiTR lounge. Make sure to tune in every Monday to discover over a dozen up and coming Filipino/a/x artists across multiple genres. The next artist in our music series is Audder (she/they), a Filipinx-Canadian artist of multiple genres and multiple feelings. Audder’s music narrates what it’s like to know love, loss, and longing, all while trying to know yourself. She’s written lyrically driven songs across genres: R&B, pop, with hip hop and alternative influences.   Jasmine "Audder" Monton performed music and poetry across the prairies where she was born and raised. Currently, she lives in Vancouver, BC and helps produce Filipino Fridays Podcast. Listen to Audder’s first solo release, Violet Tape EP, on all streaming platforms. With more music set to release this year, Audder aims to grow herself and the community of artists around her. Our other artist feature comes from the vocal powerhouse, Argel MDR - a Filipino-Canadian singer, songwriter, and actor from Surrey, Canada. He was one of the Top 10 finalists of CBC's Toyota Searchlight 2021. When he was 15 years old, he moved to Canada from the Philippines with his family to seek a better life and opportunities. With Sam Smith, One Republic, and Original Pinoy Music (OPM) as his music influences, Argel wants to use the power of storytelling to inspire Filipino youth and other immigrants through his music and theatrical performances. In addition, he is an advocate of representation, anti-racism work, and inclusion. Argel's most recent single, 'Sail Away' was featured in Spotify editorial playlists, including Fresh Finds Philippines. Thank you to our partner CiTR 101.9 FM for supporting this podcast. Follow Filipino Fridays Podcast on Instagram: @FilipinoFridaysPodcast Email us at [email protected]. Music: Hot Coffee by Patrick Patrikios

We're back with a new episode!  "It's essential to create spaces and capital to invest in our own kapwa." - S.Bondoc On this episode, Simon Bondoc, Director of Outreach from Pinoys on Parliament joins us to talk about the yearly national conference focused on youth leadership for young Filipino Canadians. In this compelling conversation we discuss:  - Discovering and celebrating Filipino joy in a safe community that empowers and uplifts Filipino youth.  - The theme for this year's conference 'Pagitan' - which describes the two worlds we stand in. From where we came from (the Philippines) and the intricacies that we face as we navigate life in Canada. - Finding our space in between and exploring our intersections because our identity is not monolithic. - Building a space where the young Filipino generation feels supported in their journey of healing and liberation for themselves. - Why its significant to see Filipino representation in Parliament and how crucial it is that we take up space in society without losing who we are. - Lastly, reclaiming our power as a Filipino/a/x and channeling our energy in making a difference for our people  ABOUT SIMON BONDOC Simon Bondoc is a new university graduate, community leader, activist and the Director of Outreach for the 2022 Pinoys on Parliament conference. He is Kapampangan and Hiligaynon, living on Moh’kins’tsis in Treaty 7 territory, colonially known as Calgary. The first POP in 2019 made the things he is passionate about now come to life: politics, social justice, community building, culture and spirituality. He has been involved in different organizations, projects and election campaigns ever since. In the future, he hopes to be ordained as a minister in the United Church of Canada and be the loving, queer, justice-seeking Filipino minister he wished he knew growing up. Thank you to our partner CiTR 101.9 FM for supporting this podcast. Follow Filipino Fridays Podcast on Instagram: @FilipinoFridaysPodcast Email us at [email protected]. Music: Hot Coffee by Patrick Patrikios

Welcome back to Filipino Fridays fam! We are so glad to be back and bring you something special for this month. In partnership with Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society, explorASIAN Festival and CiTR101.9FM, every week in May, Filipino Fridays Podcast will be featuring emerging Filipino artists to perform live music sessions at the CiTR lounge. Make sure to tune in every Monday to discover over a dozen up and coming Filipino/a/x artists across multiple genres. The first artist in our music series is a contributing soul to Vancouver’s music culture for nearly a decade. Filipino/Canadian artist Kardias Quing offers a message of love and sovereignty to her community. Through her collaborations with producer and long time friend Withinroots, they have cultivated and continue to create a repertoire that uplifts and empowers. Influenced by Indie R&B and Alternative Pop, her creative efforts cut through the woes of modern distraction, and bring us all back to our infinite possibility. The second artist feature comes from the incredibly talented R&B vocalist, Amber Bayani. Whether it's a deep understanding of harmony or an acute ear for rhythm, Filipino Canadian songbird Amber Bayani has a gift for coupling the technical aspects of singing with the modern approach to popular songwriting. She has been able to build a strong rapport with her listeners purely based off of her honesty and her self awareness. Thank you to our partner CiTR 101.9 FM for supporting this podcast. Follow Filipino Fridays Podcast on Instagram: @FilipinoFridaysPodcast Email us at [email protected]. Music: Hot Coffee by Patrick Patrikios

Welcome back to Filipino Fridays~! Tune in to Part 2 of this episode featuring transgender advocate, Romeo Reyes.

Welcome back to Filipino Fridays~! In honor of the International Day of Transgender Visibility, joining us on this episode is actor, model, tattoo artist and Transgender advocate, Romeo Reyes.

Welcome back to Filipino Fridays! On this episode, we analyzed how intergenerational trauma was covered in the Disney movie, Encanto. From Abuela's pressure to preserve the family miracle to burdens on the children, we unpack it all. The traumatic experience and grief that comes from immigrating to coming to terms on how to understand our elders, we hope that you even find this episode therapeutic!

Welcome back to Filipino Fridays! It's been a minute since the last episode and we have some announcements! On this episode we are joined by Byron Cadano, a half-Filipino live-streamer who shares some wild stories on what is was like growing up "Filipino". He shares with us on:  - Growing up with his Nanay and Tatay and how his dad became a major influence in learning about his Filipino identity - Visiting his Dad's hometown in Tacloban - waaaayy up in the "Bukid" (Mountain) - Immersing himself in the culture by living like one of the locals - plowing the rice fields, disrupting the "barangay" (village) and being treated like family despite being "the white kid" - We talk about how mixed Filipinos get treated differently when they visit the Philippines, the take on being "overcharged" and having compassion for your own people. - On being told to leverage his privilege as a white-passing half-Filipino and challenging that narrative - The misconception about him as a "white dude" but embracing the humble, simple and carefree way of life found on the islands of the Philippines. - Our struggle with Bisaya words getting lost in translation Follow Filipino Fridays Podcast on Instagram: @FilipinoFridaysPodcast / Email us at [email protected] / Music: Hot Coffee by Patrick Patrikios

Welcome back fam! Tune in along with the hosts of the upcoming Filipino Fridays spin-off, Dats Bastos! Podcast. If they sound familiar, it's because they were the special guest on EP.04 "Halika Dito Right Quick" Dating Episode. Sel and Matt join us to sound off on the following: - What is 'toxic masculinity' and how is it perpetuated in Filipino culture? - The history of colonialism embedding a patriarchal culture among Filipinos - The consequence of cultural toxic masculinity traits impacting families - The mental health impact on Filipino men due to cultural pressure and expectations - Do Filipino men have fragile egos? - On doing self-work to unlearn bad behaviors with a history rooted in culture - Sel and Matt shares some tips on how to get on a healthy headspace, healthy ego and healthy heart (Doubles as a January reset tip!) Follow Filipino Fridays Podcast on Instagram: @FilipinoFridaysPodcast / Email us at [email protected] / Music: Hot Coffee by Patrick Patrikios

Welcome back to Filipino Fridays! We're about to light it up with today's feature episode (if you know what I mean...) Our special guest is Abi Sampson, Professor of Cannabis Regulations at Centennial College. Abi takes us through her experience leading up to a thriving career in cannabis education and advocacy. She shares with us on the personal relationship between Filipinos and cannabis - how Filipinos are uniquely positioned to succeed in the cannabis industry. She takes us through how to have the "weed talk" with our families, providing data and insight on how we can help them understand the use of cannabis today. We discuss the history of Filipinos with the use of plant medicine and its connection to decolonial work. We also speak at length about how Filipinos and BIPOC folks have been targeted for the use of cannabis due to a history of cannabis criminalization rooted in racism. As published in the Globe and Mail, Abi teaches us "Cannabis 101" and gives advice on how to deal with navigating the sensitive conversation around cannabis. "Cannabis embodies the same tenets of community, compassion and care - that is the spirit of kapwa and of our Filipino culture (in the same way our people's ability to nurture communities)."  "Filipinos are no strangers to revolutions - as people who are activists, fighters of resistance and our resiliency."  (Quotes by Abi Sampson) ABOUT ABI SAMPSON Abi Sampson is a first generation Pinay-Canadian residing on the Native Lands of the Anishnabewaki, the Haudenosaunee, the Mississauga and the Wendake-Nionwentsïo people, colonially known as Colborne, ON. She began her cannabis career as a volunteer at NORML Canada, the longest running cannabis advocacy group in Canada, where she sat as the Ontario Regional Coordinator and eventually the Executive Director. Abi has provided expert delegations at the House of Commons before the Standing Committee on Health regarding Bill C-45/the Cannabis Act, at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario regarding exemptions to social cannabis consumption spaces under the Smoke Free Ontario Act and at Pickering City Council, where she presented as both a cannabis industry professional and a city resident. Abi is currently a Professor at Centennial College, teaching the Cannabis Regulations course through the Cannabis Cultivation and Processing Program. She is committed to cultivating a just and equitable cannabis industry, with a focus on cannabis patient advocacy, social justice issues and righting the harms of the War on Drugs, through education, community engagement and de-stigmatization. Follow Filipino Fridays Podcast on Instagram: @FilipinoFridaysPodcast / Email us at [email protected] / Music: Hot Coffee by Patrick Patrikios

It's been a banner year y'all! Thank you so much for joining us on the show. Tune in as Archie and Chia sound off on looking back on this year's memories with Filipino Fridays. A love letter to our listeners, our community who continue to uplift and amplify our work in the podcast space. Thankful to celebrate each milestone with you. Maraming maraming salamat! Listen to the end for some special announcements along with updates for Filipino Fridays in the new year. Mabuhay! Follow Filipino Fridays Podcast on Instagram: @FilipinoFridaysPodcast / Email us at [email protected] / Music: Hot Coffee by Patrick Patrikios

Happy Filipino Fridays Fam! We're back with another episode featuring emerging musical artist, Babylon the Babel (also known as Jarnel Gamalinda). We chat with Jarnel about the journey into learning more about his Filipino heritage. Just like many of us whose lives were disrupted by the pandemic, we entered the state of deep reflection into our cultural identity. Many of us started the journey of being in touch with our Filipino roots, putting in the work to learn more about who we are. As Jarnel shares with us - the journey can be lonely, isolating even...especially when we may have first rejected or neglected the "Filipino" part of who we are. In the process of creating his album, Jarnel was inspired by how the stories of our ancestors has survived through time - from the legendary story of Lapu-Lapu to our mythology and folklore with the tales of the Bakunawa, and our very own "pimp" mythical creature, the Kapre (listen more for that hilarious context). He takes us through the process of answering the ancestral calling by expressing himself in different mediums of art while simultaneously diving deeper into the study of his culture. We discuss the next generation expressing their culture in the aim to see more Filipino representation. He takes us through the most transformative part of his cultural and musical journey so far, as well as shares what it was like growing up as a kid with the Filipino parents in the Navy. Relate much? Make sure to catch his music on all streaming platforms! "The deepest truth that one could really come to know is the sense of who they are. Part of that journey is discovering who you are as a Filipino - We're in this together, we're probably all at different stages of learning about who we are in our cultural identity, but that doesn't mean one is more Filipino than the other - "there's no such thing as less or more Filipino". Follow Filipino Fridays Podcast on Instagram: @FilipinoFridaysPodcast / Email us at [email protected] / Music: Hot Coffee by Patrick Patrikios