06/20/2026
Seeds of Hope International Pinakbet Ambassadors
Maria Sherry Lacson Tan
MaryEllin Villareal-Parreno Maddie
Statement on Filipino Heritage Month and the 128th Anniversary of Philippine Independence | Malaya Canada
As Filipinos in Canada join communities across the country in celebrating Filipino Heritage Month and commemorating the 128th Anniversary of Philippine Independence, we do so with both pride and purpose. We honor the rich history, culture, resilience, and achievements of the Filipino people, while remembering that the struggle for genuine freedom did not end with the declaration of independence in 1898. It continues today.
Filipino Heritage Month is more than a festival of music, dance, food, and colorful traditions. It is an opportunity to reflect on the values that define us as a people: courage in the face of adversity, solidarity with the marginalized, love of country, and an unwavering commitment to dignity and justice. It is also a time to remember the countless heroes—past and present—who have sacrificed for the dream of a Philippines where every citizen can live in freedom, security, and hope.
For Filipinos in the diaspora, celebrating our heritage carries with it a profound responsibility. Our connection to the homeland goes beyond nostalgia; it is rooted in our concern for the future of the nation we continue to call our own. Many of us left the Philippines in search of greater opportunities, yet our families, our history, and our hearts remain deeply tied to the aspirations of the Filipino people.
Today, those aspirations are challenged by the Philippines' subservience and dependence on foreign interests, by persistent poverty and inequality, the erosion of democratic institutions, attacks on human rights defenders and journalists, systemic corruption, and the entrenchment of self-serving political dynasties that place personal and family interests above the common good.
Genuine independence means freedom from foreign domination and control over our foreign policy, defense and security, economic life , culture and education, national development, and all things that make the Philippines and the people truly free. Real independence cannot flourish where fear silences dissent, where public office becomes a pathway to private enrichment, where the voices of ordinary citizens are drowned out by money and patronage and where the people are held hostage by anti-people policies and programs.
As members of the Filipino-Canadian community and of the broader global Filipino diaspora, we believe that distance does not diminish our responsibility. Rather, it gives us the freedom and the opportunity to stand in solidarity with those who continue the struggle for a free and better Philippines. We can contribute in meaningful and practical ways by:
- Supporting and amplifying the work of grassroots organizations, human rights advocates, independent media, and community leaders working for national sovereignty and democratic reform.
- Promoting historical truth and civic education, especially among younger generations, so that the lessons of our past are not forgotten or distorted.
- Encouraging transparency and accountability by speaking out against corruption, abuse of power, and the capture of public institutions by political dynasties.
- Building bridges among Filipino communities abroad to strengthen collective advocacy for human rights, social justice, environmental protection, and the rule of law.
- Exercising our rights and responsibilities as overseas Filipinos through informed civic participation and by engaging with elected representatives and institutions both in Canada and in the Philippines.
The celebration of Filipino Heritage Month should therefore not only be a remembrance of who we were, but also a reaffirmation of who we aspire to become. It should inspire us to transform cultural pride into civic engagement and our love for the Philippines into concrete acts of solidarity with those working for change.
As we mark the 128th anniversary of our nation's declaration of independence, let us renew our commitment to the unfinished task of nation-building. Let us honor our heroes not only with words, but by carrying forward their vision of a society founded on freedom, equality, integrity, and service to the people.
The struggle for true democracy, social justice, the protection of human rights, and transparent and accountable governance belongs to all Filipinos, wherever they may be. Together, as one people united across borders, we can help build a Philippines that is not only politically independent, but genuinely free—free from corruption, free from fear, and free from the grip of entrenched political dynasties.
Mabuhay ang sambayanang Pilipino! Mabuhay ang pagkakaisa at pakikibaka para sa tunay na kalayaan at demokrasya!
Photo credit: Bert Monterona, Vision and Hope for Justice and Peace, Oil on Canvas, tapestry, 128x128 cm., 1998
