Filipino-Canadian Youth Alliance/Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada-British Columbia
Media release

ROOT DOWN, RISE UP:
Filipino Youth Address Settlement and Integration Issues Through the Arts

May 20 , 2009

 
VANCOUVER - On Friday, May 29 2009, Filipino-Canadian youth in Vancouver will once again speak out on issues that concern them in the 12th Annual Roots, Rhymes and Resistance (RRR), presented by the BC chapter of Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada/ The Filipino-Canadian Youth Alliance (FCYA).

Themed this year as “Root down, Rise up!” RRR addresses the need for settlement and integration of Filipinos in Canada, and calling for meaningful participation and genuine equality for the community, especially Filipino youth.

The group says that there is a need to publicly bring out the issues of racism, forced migration, family separation, barriers to education and employment, gender oppression and more as they are faced by Filipino youth in the schools, community, workplace and within their families.

This year, FCYA has been working hard to bring out the issues not only on the night of RRR. Throughout March, April and May, the group has been conducting a series of cultural arts and skills building workshops around the theme of Root Down Rise Up. Leading up to the cultural event on May 29, youth have been engaged in topics such as Tagalog lessons, hip hop writing, creative writing, theatre and performance, media writing, graphics design, Anti Racism Education, and Filipino migration.

“We need to rise up and bring out our concerns as Filipino youth more and more” says Eliezer Moreno, a member of FCYA. “The workshops allow us to do that in a creative, engaging way.”

The need to support Filipino youth and the community is crucial now that Filipinos are the 3rd largest visible minority group in Canada. The lack of settlement and integration programs in Canada forces Filipino youth to engage in anti-social activities. The group says that their workshops and ongoing program fill this gap.

The need to organize, mobilize and educate the community, and dig deep into the roots of forced migration is important in order to rise up and overcome challenges youth are facing. FCYA asserts that RRR is empowering not just the Filipino youth and their families, but is part of addressing Canadian issues and the needs of other marginalized communities.

“Filipino youth have a high drop out rate in this city. Many of us are having to work to support our families, and are now becoming the next generation of Canada’s cheap labour. This is the reality!” exclaims Moreno. He says that since 1999, RRR has been a venue for Filipino youth to express themselves, and is a positive force in getting Filipino youth to be engaged and active in their community.

Roots, Rhymes, and Resistance will take place this Friday, May 29, 2009
Venue: Sir Charles Tupper Secondary at 419 East 24th Avenue, Vancouver
Featuring performances by Toxic Slime Clique, Sinag Bayan Cultural Arts Collective, Kuyas United in Solidarity, Renovation Under, Fresh Groove and more!

For more Info call Carlo or Ayex: 604 215 1103 or email <ukpc_fcya@kalayaancentre.net>
Door open 7:00 pm Please arrive early. Tickets are sliding scale $10-$20, $5 for low income and students with ID. you can find more information and a full list of performers at <RootsRhymes.wordpress.com>

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