Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

Filipino-Canadian Progressive Youth Organization Fundraises for the Victims of Deadly Philippine Mudslide

Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada / the Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance (UKPC/FCYA), a grassroots community organization for youth of Filipino ancestry will hold a fundraiser for the victims of the recent mudslide on the Philippine island of Leyte. The disaster has claimed an estimated 1,800 lives.

“Pinoy Poetiks” will be held on February 25, 2006 8:00 pm at El Cocal Restaurant, 1037 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC. Pinoy Poetiks will be a night of music, poetry, and spoken word, an open-mic event where Filipino youth can bring their thoughts, speak their mind, and of course, get creative. All proceeds will go the victims of the mudslide.

“Pinoy Poetiks is an opportunity for Filipino-Canadians and friends of the Filipino community to bridge artistic expression and financial relief for this tragedy”, said Carl Cortes of UKPC/FCYA.

UKPC / FCYA criticizes Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for not taking measures to prevent such tragedy. UKPC / FCYA says that the Canadian bidding for logging permits in the Philippines is one of the biggest, and the Arroyo regime defends policies of liberalization that “allows foreign big companies and their local partners all the freedom to plunder our forests and natural resources and exploit and oppress the Filipino people,” said Cortes.

“Pinoy Poetiks will feature the works of Carlos Bulosan, a Filipino migrant worker who wrote of the personal and collective experience of Filipino migrants during the 1930’s in America. The majority of Filipino youth in Canada are products of forced migration, and we relate many of our experiences as young Filipinos abroad to Bulosan’s writings,” said Cortes.

“As the progressive Filipino youth in Canada, we continue to struggle for our Motherland’s future – for its genuine development and equality.” Cortes adds.

For more information, please contact:

Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada / Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance
451 Powell Street, Vancouver, BC V6A 1G7
Tel: 604.215.1103
Email: ukpc_fcya@kalayaancentre.net