The Opening of the Edmonton Philippine International Centre (EPIC)

For the past three years, the Edmonton Philippine International Centre (EPIC) has been fundraising towards the goal of having a centre in Edmonton where Filipinos’ values, traditions and way of living are honoured. Now, we are excited to announce that we are opening the doors to our own Philippine Centre in May 2023!

This 12,000 sq. ft facility located in the southside of Edmonton will be a vibrant space for learning, sharing experiences and celebrating Filipino achievements. It features a main banquet hall, a second floor with a function room, a boardroom, two offices and a parking lot that can accommodate up to 100 vehicles. In the same building is a Bistro and two industrial kitchens, managed and operated by Umbrella Kitchen. The facility is very visible from the much travelled Gateway Boulevard.

Filipinos are one of the fastest growing ethnic populations in Canada with a 7% annual growth outpacing the national growth rate of 1.1%. Since 2001, we have consistently been the top three new immigrants in Canada despite the lower immigration levels in 2020-2021 due to the travel restrictions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Edmonton is one of the many Canadian cities enjoying the accelerated growth of the Filipino community. Filipinos in the city have contributed to the economic and social vibrancy of Edmonton through flourishing local businesses, unravelling Filipino art and culture, and most importantly recognizing many talents and skills in the professional, not-for-profit and sports sector. The proliferation of Filipino organizations demonstrate their capacity for self-development and potential to highly enrich the civic life of the city. Thus, the time is right for a cultural and social hub hosted by the Filipino community for all Edmontonians - a centre that represents our new home in Canada and expresses the bayanihan spirit of communal sharing and unity.

The Edmonton Philippine International Centre is an aspiration of Filipino-Canadians in Edmonton to share their culture and heritage with Canadians and to be part of a robust intercultural city. It is envisioned to be: a gathering place to make personal and social connections; a vibrant space for learning languages, heritage, arts, and sharing of common experiences; a knowledge hub for activities that inform community members about