Growing up in the Philippines, the first thing that stood out to me in Canada was how intertwined life and nature is here. I noticed how camping, hiking, fishing, and any activities out in nature are quite common with Canadians. By doing these activities with my family every summer, it made me fall in love with nature in Ontario.
While nature is not absent in Filipino life, there is a considerable difference between how it is perceived in both cultures. The Philippines is prized for its biodiversity and the diverse natural landscapes that provide for its people and all the creatures that inhabit it. Filipinos generally see nature as a source of livelihood and a place to commune. This way of thinking is present within Filipinos here in Canada. Often, parks such as Earl Bales near Little Manila in Toronto or G. Ross Lord are places where Filipinos have large community gatherings. These gatherings are centered around sharing food with the people you love, connection with community and fun party games like pabitin and egg relay.
Filipino youth birdwatching at G. Ross Lord Park © Erin Kobayashi
Filipino newcomers can find adapting to the Canadian climate challenging, especially winters. Moving from a warm tropical environment with relatively stable temperatures to a climate with drastic temperature changes throughout the year (even throughout a single day!) can be hard. Struggles such as trudging through knee-high snow and heavy jackets are few of the many novel struggles many newcomers might find difficult. Furthermore, immigrants face many barriers with outdoor spaces and programming. These barriers include but are not limited to transportation, language, and limited knowledge of opportunities and the local nature.
Ontario Nature and Kababayan Multicultural Centre’s event “Lakbay Kalikasan: A Journey in Nature” during Filipino Heritage Month (June) hoped to bridge the gaps that Filipinos might face with their connection to nature in Canada. Filipino youth learned the basics of birding, the importance of wetlands and the local history of the land. Birds like tagak (great egret) and maya (sparrow) were observed at G. Ross Lord Park bridging connections between local wildlife in Toronto and the Philippines. The event showcased that everyone’s journey in nature starts somewhere: fostering an appreciation of the outdoors through introductory, culturally relevant programming for all who enjoy natural spaces is one way to do that.
Binocular practice, Earl Bales Park © Rome Lim
Lakbay Kalikasan – A Journey in Nature for Filipino Youth is generously supported by the Government of Canada, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, Marjorie and Joseph Wright Memorial Foundation and Jackman Foundation.