WESTLOCK — In recognition of Filipino Heritage Month — an annual celebration of Canada’s third-largest Asian community — the Westlock Library is hosting a series of displays until June 26 containing information about the culture, history and wildlife of the Philippines.
Westlock Library director Michelle Albrecht said the displays were prepared by the same group of volunteers that put on their monthly Filipino storytime.
Scattered throughout the library are examples of regional fashions worn by Filipinos, as well as displays on the languages, cuisine, architecture, recreation and beliefs of the Philippines, as well as a diorama on the country’s native animals.
Some of the displays include a QR code that people can scan with their mobile phones that will take them to a Youtube video with more information about that display’s subject.
“It’s a very interactive display. It’s really quite impressive,” said Albrecht.
Incidentally, the library’s monthly Filipino storytime program will take place on Saturday, June 15 at 11 a.m.
Noting that she began her position at the library in December, Albrecht said the program had been ongoing since before she got here and was “quite well-established.”
The program is much like a regular storytime at the library except that it blends English and Tagalog. Tagalog is the native language of the Philippines, but a formalized version of it is one of the country’s two official languages.
Albrecht said the monthly program was established to give the children of local Filipinos who have immigrated to Canada a chance to learn about their native language.
“For them to acquire their language along with English ... it can be a challenge at home,” she said.
“My understanding is that the intention was to give these young kids in these Filipino families an opportunity to engage in the language.”
Noting that their limited staff doesn’t really have the capacity to offer services in the native language to local Filipinos, Albrecht said, “We are very lucky to have this group of volunteers that are so dedicated about the work that they are doing.”
Filipino Heritage Month has been celebrated in Canada for several years now. It was first observed by Toronto in June 2018 and was officially recognized by the Government of Canada three years ago, with a private member’s bill recognizing the month receiving royal assent in May 2021.
Of special significance is the date of June 12, which marks the 126th anniversary of Philippine independence from Spain.
kberger@greatwest.ca
