Philippine Association of Saskatchewan holds welcome ceremony for new residents
Several different communities gathered at the Core Ritche Neighbourhood Centre on Sunday to celebrate Welcome Kabayan. ‘Kabayan’ in Filipino means, ‘welcome fellow members of our community.’
The event’s purpose was to welcome newcomers and members from different cultures to the city of Regina.
Anna Mae is the interim president of the Philippine Association of Saskatchewan, she explained that the event is important for newcomers to experience the city as well as to bring different cultures together.
“There is also a need to connect with the community and we want to feel safe,” said Mae. “The newcomers to feel safe in our community.”
Community partners including the Regina Fire and Protective Services and Regina police were in attendance.
Mae explained that this was very important for new residents, so that they feel comfortable joining the community of Regina.
“They are here today to support us because this is a great initiative and within commerce and further members of our community,” she said. “So we can access the information and communicate openly with them.”
One of the goals of this initiative was to help increase awareness and support a range of multiculturalism efforts that foster a more welcoming and inclusive community for the newcomers.
Kabayan is not only for the Filipino community, as the invite was extended to other ethnic communities in the city.
The Fabi family attended the Sunday afternoon event. Speaking to CTV News, they expressed that they were very humble to be in Regina.
"Every Sunday we go to church and say thank you for all the blessings that we get everyday we wake up still good,” said Rico Fabi, who has two daughters.
The day was filled with food and dancing, showcasing different communities in the Queen city.
"It is open to everyone, so we have members of different cultural communities,” said Mae.
Officials are hoping that new residents take advantage of what the Philippine Association is offering and make the transition of moving to Regina easier for all involved.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
TSB concludes investigation into cause of London, Ont. freight train fire
More than two weeks after a freight train with several railcars ablaze rolled through the heart of the Forest City, the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has concluded its investigation.