Why representation matters for Filipinos

these communities. And by logic, we should be an influential demographic in the countries where we settled down. Millions of Filipinos now populate North America, specifically the US and Canada. We are all over Europe, the Australian continent, South and Central America, and just about any other country in between.

Bing J. Jaleco

bingjaleco@yahoo.com

Raleigh “Bing” Jaleco was a veteran journalist and public relations consultant in the Philippines. He started out as a correspondent for Ang Pahayagang Malaya and then moved on to be a reporter, and then an editor, of The Manila Chronicle. He also served as news editor of The Manila Standard, business editor of The Manila Times, and sub-editor at the Manila Bulletin. He landed as a permanent resident in Canada in 2016.

IT has often been said that you will find a Filipino in every nook and cranny of this world. Many of us decided to leave the motherland and settle where the grass appears greener. And in doing so, we help promote the impression that we are modern-day nomads and seafarers who seek new shores in search of a better life.

This is why we have been able to build communities in so many countries. The result of our migrations, and proof of our presence in our adopted societies, is the creation of

Our social character flaws notwithstanding (unfortunately, “crab mentality” is still a thing among overseas Filipinos), many of us have taken roots, or have decided to take roots, in our adopted countries. We try our best to acclimatize and blend in, and to adopt the ways of our new home. Work has never been much of an issue for us, and we accept the new paradigm and practices as a small sacrifice to make in exchange for the conveniences and the rewards we receive for our labours.

Yet if there is one thing that continues to hamper our growth as an immigrant class, it is that we shun political participation as a negative rather than a positive. I blame decades of political repression (the Martial Law years) that resulted in a collective indifference towards our very own identity as a people (the post-Marcos era). We seem to have resigned ourselves to this indifference and cynicism, but it really does stick out like a sore thumb when you try to settle down in a different country where society is more politically robust and participatory.

We have been accepted by our adopted country as productive members of society, this much is true. But we will never be taken seriously, as society takes seriously other migrant races, unless we start conducting ourselves as a people of principles and integrity. We must “relearn” national pride and embrace the idea that the so-called Filipino culture is built on the values of our elders, not on the vices of our politicians.

The provincial general elections will be held next month. There are three Filipinos running for MLA in Alberta, one in Edmonton and two in Calgary, namely: Attorney Joseph Angeles for Edmonton-South under the UCP; public school teacher Rosman Valencia for Calgary-East under the NDP; and a former CBC TV host Astrid Kuhn for Calgary-Buffalo under the UCP. Although they are running under different political parties, that is a matter of political belief and personal persuasion. The big picture here is that Filipinos in Alberta are badly in need of representation. We are now the third biggest ethnic group in the province, and the projection is that the Filipino population is expected to grow tremendously in the next three to five years.

Given the growth projections and taking into account the viability of a migration wave to Alberta, Filipinos must understand the urgency of having representation in the Alberta legislature. I believe that voting for representation is a way to earn the respect of Albertans— and Canadians for that matter—for our capacity to not only be productive members of society but to be leaders who can contribute to the growth and well-being of Alberta.

Joseph Angeles was born in the Philippines. His educational background includes a high school scholarship at the Philippine Science High School, a degree in Special Education from the University of the Philippines— Diliman and a Juris Doctor degree from the Ateneo School of Law (a Jesuit School).

He chose to immigrate to Edmonton in 2010 as he and his wife, Katrina, were seeking a better future for their family. He worked fulltime for the Law Society of Alberta while successfully completing his law accreditation. He was called to the Alberta bar in 2014 and worked for both a large and medium-sized firm before joining his wife Katrina at Angeles Law.

Joseph volunteers for various organizations. He was Grand Knight of his Knights of Columbus chapter and a member of the Couples for Christ. He acts as volunteer legal advisor to the Philippine Business Society of Alberta and is an active conservative at both provincial and federal levels.

Joseph enjoys spending his free time with his wife and daughters.

Rosman Valencia believes Albertans deserve a strong, public education system. Starting his teaching career in Forest Lawn where he currently lives, Rosman now teaches a split class of grades 3 and 4.

Rosman moved to Canada from the Philippines in 2015 where he became involved with his neighbourhood associations and brought his community together through the organization of the local Pride events. Before moving to Canada, Rosman was elected as a Barangay Youth Alderman in Caloocan City, ran youth leadership training programs, and is now the Vice President of the End of the Rainbow Foundation in Calgary.

UCP candidate for Calgary-Buffalo

Astrid Kuhn is a proud Albertan is Calgary-Buffalo’s candidate for the May 2023 election.

Dr. Astrid Kuhn is a sessional lecturer at Mount Royal University (MRU), where she grows entrepreneurial minds in the faculty of business and communication. Kuhn designs and delivers courses to facilitate collaborative and creative problem solving towards innovative solutions. As an entrepreneur and business consultant, she’s experienced first hand the challenges and

Radio Canada, she stresses the need for clearly and She’s been an active volunteer serving as VP and Treasurer for Women and Film in Television:Alberta (WIFTA), MRU Advocacy Committee, community youth mentor, Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, Mustard Seed and Avenue‘s Top 40 Under 40 alumni. She has been married to her high school sweetheart, Ken Kuhn, for over 30 years. She enjoys her children and even more, her grandchildren and dog who fondly