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New Brunswick’s Filipino-Canadian Community gives back

Jesabel Amora, the coordinator for the Filipino-Canadian Community of New Brunswick, moved to Fredericton in 2016 and values giving back to the community that welcomed her. For Filipino Heritage Month, she organized events to serve her new hometown. Her group volunteered to cook for Fredericton Community Kitchens, preparing traditional Filipino dishes and cake for dessert. The Filipino-Canadian Community of New Brunswick promotes Filipino culture and supports newcomers from the Philippines.

Amora and her group of volunteers want to give back to the community by sharing their culture and traditions and expressing gratitude for the warm welcome that they have received, Amora explained. Alexander Paelma, owner of a Filipino restaurant in Fredericton, volunteered to cook in the kitchen last Saturday. He prepared chicken adobo, a classic Filipino dish marinated in vinegar and soy sauce, along with stir-fried noodles. Chicken adobo holds a significant place in Filipino culinary history, dating back to pre-colonial times.

During Filipino Heritage Month, members of the Filipino-Canadian Community of New Brunswick spent a Saturday preparing traditional Filipino dishes for patrons at Fredericton Community Kitchens. Amora expressed appreciation for the opportunity to assist others. They also served pancit, a popular Filipino noodle dish featuring a mix of vegetables, meat, seafood, and flavorful sauces, receiving positive feedback on the food.

More than 10 volunteers from the group helped serve around 200 people, shared Robert Lapointe, a chef in the kitchen. Fredericton Community Kitchens provide three free meals daily, each serving about 200 people, with breakfast being lighter. Lapointe praised the group’s organization and leadership, allowing him a day off to supervise.

In 2018, Ottawa designated June as Filipino Heritage Month to honour Filipino Canadians’ contributions. This month, the Filipino-Canadian Community of New Brunswick has also been active in volunteer efforts. They organized a cleanup along a downtown Fredericton riverfront trail, alongside cultural workshops and live performances.