Edmonton, AB, 1 June 2025. In celebration of Philippine Heritage Month in Alberta, the Philippine Arts Council officially launched “Echoes of Identity: Tracking Filipino Cultural Landscapes in Edmonton” on 1 June 2025 in Edmonton. The cultural mapping project captures the stories, spaces, and shared heritage of Filipinos in Edmonton, marking a significant step in documenting and celebrating the Filipino community’s presence in the city.
With support from the Alberta Ministry of Arts, Culture and Status of Women, the City of Edmonton, and the Edmonton Heritage Council, and undertaken by the Philippine Arts Council, Echoes of Identity is the first of its kind in Edmonton, offering a people – centered approach to understanding Filipino migration. Through interviews, surveys, community dialogues, and archival research, the project maps out meaningful places – from churches and community halls to small businesses and gathering spaces – that shape the Filipino – Canadian experience in Edmonton.
The well-attended launch brought together community leaders, cultural workers, and government leaders, highlighting the importance of cultural mapping as both a tool for preservation and promotion of culture, and a platform for visibility.
At the event, Philippine Consul General in Calgary, Emma Sarne, delivered a speech emphasizing the role of cultural diplomacy in strengthening the Filipino diaspora communities in Alberta and deepening cross-cultural understanding. Also in attendance were Alberta National Democratic Party (NDP) members of the Legislative Assembly, Edmonton city councillors, Filipino cultural groups, and former Calgary Mayor and now Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi.
“This project is a testament to the rich contributions of Filipinos in Edmonton, and the importance of telling our own stories,” said Consul General Sarne. “Cultural mapping not only preserves Filipino history in the city of Edmonton, it also builds pride and visibility,” she added. “It is also an invitation for other Filipino communities in Alberta to do the same,” she emphasized.
More than a record of locations, the interactive map captures lived experiences and intergenerational narratives of Filipino migration into the city of Edmonton.
Ms. Ida Beltran-Lucilla, project proponent, and founder and Executive Director of the Philippine Arts Council (PAC), expressed hope that the Echoes of Identity cultural mapping project will inspire other Filipino communities across Canada to undertake similar initiatives, with support from local arts councils and municipal cultural organizations. The interactive map is available at the Philippine Arts Council website: https://www.philippineartscouncil.com. (END)
