* The following words mean “Let’s go!” or “Come on!” – “Halina!” (Tagalog – halika + na); “Kadto kamo!” (Hiligaynon); “Sung na!” (Sinug).

Halina at magsama-sama tayo para ipagdiwang ang ating mga wika! Dali kamo mag inistoryahanay kita! Agtitimpuyog ken agkaykaysa tayo nga mangrambak ti nadumaduma nga kultura!

Let our languages come alive, be heard, and echo through the room! This event highlights the diversity of our languages, with more than 150 languages hailing from the islands of the Philippines.

Take the stage to read a captivating poem, a mesmerizing story, or sing a heartwarming song in any of the languages from the Philippines. Whether it’s your own creation or a piece by your favourite Filipina/x/o writer, we encourage you to share the magic of our linguistic heritage. Don’t forget to provide credit to the original writer of the piece you choose, or to let us know if it is an original creation.

Performers

Only 12 slots available for performers — secure your spot today! https://forms.gle/JusQjm1ryiEThAUK9 We will have a couple of spots available for sign up in person. Please note that we will be exclusively featuring performers who are Pinxy/Pinay/Pinoy or mixed race Pinxy/Pinay/Pinoy.

Register here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/363262ae-2b62-4d2b-9d87-c56425b8cd1d

While everyone is welcome, we prioritize Pinxy/a/o attendees, or that you have been invited to join by a Pinxy/a/o person. 

Admission is free, but please register in advance to help us manage the event smoothly. We can admit approximately 30 people. Snacks and refreshments will be available. 

Kamaya’ daran! Pag-amping!  

This event is presented by NPC3, the National Pilipino Canadian Cultural Centre, a registered non-profit society.

Accessibility considerations 

This event and venue requires attendees to wear a face mask as an extra precaution against COVID-19. Please bring your own mask, or we can provide you one onsite. 

Massy Arts Gallery is accessible to folks who use wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and strollers. For detailed information about venue accessibility, visit https://massyarts.com/accessibility/. 

Statement of solidarity, and resistance

It is incredible that while we take pride that many languages remain alive and well-used across the islands of the Philippines despite colonization, we also mourn the loss and the threats of losing many languages and their communicators as Indigenous and other ethnic groups continue to be displaced, targeted for defending their lands, and neglected in the Philippines. By highlighting the languages available and staying away from the framing of minimizing certain languages to “dialects”) we are able to keep cultures alive and encourage pride in diversity. Staying connected to our languages is one of the privileges we have, while also recognizing that languages and cultural knowledge were one of the colonial tactics used by Canada to oppress and subjugate Indigenous peoples on their lands. Speaking our languages while on stolen lands is one way we can resist global colonial projects, sending a message that no matter where we are due to colonization and ongoing imperialism, we will keep practicing our cultures and keep our ancestors’ ways of knowing and living alive. 

We are on the ancestral, unceded, and stolen territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, and we are in solidarity with them and all Indigenous and oppressed peoples across the world to resist against white supremacy, capitalism, the patriarchy, caste oppression and their products such as ableism, transphobia, homophobia, classism, and more.