CULTURAL MAPPING COMMUNITY STORIES Barter and Trade festival of native inhabitants and Asian traders; “Ang Bayan Ko (My County)” Despite centuries of foreign rule and cultural influences, Diverse Filipino Culture some Malay traditions have withstood the test of time. The Filipinos in Windsor-Essex are presence in the south had work of Filipino artists, writers the same as their counterparts earlier influences on the Malay and musicians are filled with in many parts of the world: a inhabitants of the islands these varied themes and people whose very essence before they became the cultural elements that have is multi-faceted - their Philippines. helped shaped a very rich genetic make up, their food, national identity. and especially their arts The most extensive cultural and traditions. While being influence is likely from Spain The first recorded Filipino indigenously Filipino means being whose occupation of the settlers in Windsor-Essex arrived Malay (brown), it is unusual to country lasted three centuries in the 1950’s, many of whom find a Filipino whose ancestry beginning in the 1500’s. were medical professionals. All does not include one or more Spanish rule was founded in were equipped with education other nationalities such as Catholicism and most people and skills, a strong work ethic Chinese, Japanese, East Indian, in the lowlands converted and a burning aspiration to Spanish or American. and adopted the traditions. achieve a better life for their Muslims in the deep south and families. Although adaptable This generational diversity has tribes up north were more to any new home, Filipinos’ greatly influenced the evolution resistant to the changes. Early love for their cultural identity is of Filipino society to what it is in the 20th century, Americans further enhanced when they now, and is reflected in Filipino came to the Philippines, for leave their homeland. Older literature as well as in performing one of three reasons: military, Filipino-Canadians try to instil and visual arts. It is also what business, or religious missions, this same love in Filipino youth. immigrants have brought with and their presence eventually them to Canada. led to the declaration of Today, although there are Philippine Independence in more Filipinos in the county, The arrival of traders from 1946. they account for less than 2% China and India and Islamic of the total population. Natives and waves of earlier migration to the islands Phillipine Jota .