Kakain Na!
Time to Eat and Talk about Filipino Canadians in Healthcare
The Philippines is a country in Southeast Asia composed of over 7,600 islands. A tourism oasis known for its tropical beauty, the Philippines also has a history marked by colonialism and political corruption. As of 2023, approximately 15.5% of the population lives in poverty, facing challenges such as housing and food insecurity. These economic hardships drive millions of Filipinos to seek employment overseas, sending home billions in remittances each year. In Canada, the Filipino community is one of the fastest-growing populations, with over 900,000 people, making up approximately 2.6% of the national population. Filipino healthcare professionals, particularly nurses and healthcare aides, play a significant role in strengthening Canada's healthcare system and supporting the well-being of Canadian families.
Elsa, June, and Carmela represent two generations of Filipino-Canadian women working in Canada's healthcare sector. Elsa and June are first-generation Canadian immigrants, while Carmela is second-generation. Their identities as Filipinas connect them, while their realities as immigrants shape their lived experiences in completely different ways. Before we eat, the mother-daughter trio will share personal stories and reflect on their contributions to Canada's healthcare system and their lives as Filipino-Canadians.
Growing up, food was always a source of joy, a reason for gathering, and a space for sharing knowledge, emotions, and stories within their family. Food is art. For June and Carmela, a home-cooked Filipino meal evokes a sense of belonging, connecting them to their mother, their childhood, and their life journeys. Using food as their medium, we will learn and they will demonstrate how to prepare some of their favourite Filipino dishes.
Learning Objectives
- Gain deeper understanding about the experiences of immigrants and their struggle with cultural identity
- Appreciate the role of immigrants working in the healthcare system
- Reflect on the power of food in culture and connection
Lessons
RECOMMENDED FORMAT: Self-directed, Small Group, Classroom Course
Go to Facilitation Guides
CURRICULUM DETAILS:
Each Lesson has 2 background videos and 1 Instructional Cooking video
Total watching length per Lesson: ~25 minutes
Total time per Lesson (without cooking): 50 minutes
INSTRUCTIONS for Videos only (no cooking):
- Start with Lesson One - read the Reflection Questions on the Recipe Card.
- Watch Videos 1-3 of the series and have discussion based on reflection questions.
- Move to Lesson Two and repeat the process of reviewing the reflection questions, watching the videos then having a discussion.
INSTRUCTIONS for Cooking Recipes:
There are three recipes to make overall - one per Lesson. It is recommended to watch all the videos within the lesson before attempting the recipe.
- Session lead should read through the Recipe Card and watch Cooking Instruction Video ahead of the planned small group session to prepare and gather ingredients and supplies for the session.
- At the learning session, as a group, watch all the videos from the Lesson you are focusing on at this session.
- Have a discussion based on reflection questions on the Recipe Card.
- Get together and prepare the meal. Watch the Cooking Instruction Video again if needed. Encourage discussion and reflection as you cook.
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Additional Resources
Click above link to view Additional Resources.
Canadian Heritage. (2024, June 1). Statement by Minister Khera on Filipino Heritage Month. Government of Canada.
Philippine Embassy in Ottawa. (2021). The Filipino Diaspora in Canada. Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines.
Canadian Race Relations Foundation. (2021). The Healthcare Divide – Episode 5.
Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). List of islands of the Philippines. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved February 9, 2025.
National Economic and Development Authority. (2023). Statement on the 2023 full-year official poverty statistics. NEDA Region 7.
International Organization for Migration. (2023). Beyond remittances: Overseas Filipino workers support climate resilience in the Philippines. IOM Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.
Contributors
Elsa Ballesteros
June Ballesteros
Carmela de Gracia-Patten
