PH Consulate General in Calgary Holds Online Forum on “Pinay on the Prairies” Featuring Professor Glenda Tibe Bonifacio of University of Lethbridge
CALGARY 24 June 2020 – The Philippine Consulate General in Calgary held its first Online Forum Education Series featuring Dr. Glenda Tibe Bonifacio, Professor and Chair of the Department of Women and Gender Studies, University of Lethbridge, who shared her insights about her various writings about Filipinos in Alberta and in Canada, particularly her book titled “Pinay on the Prairies,” which was published in 2013.
About 36 participants from various parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan attended the online forum on 22 June 2020.
Dr. Bonifacio discussed the gender and cultural aspects of Filipino migration (particularly women), including transnationalism, Filipino womanhood and gender roles, double (work) burden for Filipino women, and variables of identities (ethnic-national-political identities). According to her, Filipinos are empowered active agents who are highly visible and engaged, grounded by volunteerism, and motivated by faith. They have contributed a lot in Canadian society through their deep involvement in community-building and their efforts to achieve social justice and promote temporary workers’ labor rights. These bridge-building activities promote as well Filipino values such as pakikisama, utang na loob, respect for elders and authority as manifested in how Filipinos build communities.
In welcoming the participants, Consul General Zaldy Patron expressed hope that “through this online forum and the succeeding Education Series to be organized this year by the Philippine Consulate General, we will all learn more about our rich history and culture, as well as honor the expertise and contributions of Filipinos in Canadian society.”
The Consulate organized the online forum as part of its celebration of the 122nd Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence and the Philippine Heritage Month held in June of every year. The event was also part of the Consulate General’s Gender and Development (GAD) Program that aims to highlight the accomplishments of Filipinos in Alberta and Saskatchewan, promote women empowerment, and discuss gender issues that are relevant to the Filipino community in Alberta and Saskatchewan. END
For more information, visit https://www.calgarypcg.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinCalgary/.