Filipino food, dance, music and other festivities were featured at the Winnipeg Sea Bears' home game against the Edmonton Stingers on Monday in honour of Philippine Independence Day.
June 12 marks the declaration of Philippines' independence from Spain in 1898. Another independence day in July celebrates the country's independence from the United States.
D.J. Kilusan, a Tagalog Visayan Filipinx artist born and raised in Winnipeg, headlined Monday's basketball game. Canada Life Centre also sold Filipino cuisine, and the game included a half-time performance by Magdaragat Philippines Inc., a non-profit organization devoted to championing Filipino culture through dance. "I think it's really cool," Caleb Espiritu, 11, told CBC News before heading into Canada Life Centre for the game. "We're Filipino and we're proud about our heritage and culture." He said he loves basketball and that Winnipeg now has its own team.
Espiritu's uncle, Eman Almeda, said it's about time the city had its own basketball team. "Basketball is a big sport in the Philippines, so it's nice to finally have a basketball team here in Winnipeg," he told CBC News.