The night air carries the scent of sampaguita flowers and the sound of excited conversation as families stream into the Newton Cultural Centre in Surrey. Tonight marks a rare celebration in Metro Vancouver – a Balagtasan performance that connects the vibrant local Filipino community to cultural traditions dating back a century.
“My grandmother used to tell me stories about watching Balagtasan in Manila when she was young,” says Maricel Santos, 43, a Surrey resident who brought her teenage daughter to experience the poetic debate format for the first time. “It’s like watching history come alive, but with jokes that make you laugh today.”
The Balagtasan, a form of verbal jousting through poetry, was named after Francisco Balagtas, one of the Philippines’ most celebrated poets. Developed during the American colonial period of the 1920s, it became a creative outlet for Filipinos to debate social issues through artistic expression when direct political speech was restricted.
In Surrey’s version, organized by the Pinoy Pride Society of BC, two poets verbally spar over whether traditional values or modern approaches better serve the Filipino-Canadian community. The audience erupts in laughter and applause as the poets deliver clever rhymes in Tagalog, with English translations projected onto a screen.
“This is cultural preservation in action,” explains Dr. Eleanor Guerrero, a cultural studies professor at the University of British Columbia who documents Filipino-Canadian cultural practices. “Communities that maintain these traditions create a stronger sense of identity for younger generations, which research shows improves mental health outcomes for immigrant youth.”
The Surrey event represents a resurgence of interest in Filipino cultural arts that’s being seen across Canada. According to Statistics Canada, Filipinos represent one of the fastest-growing immigrant communities in British Columbia, with approximately 837,130 people of Filipino descent now living across Canada.
The performance hall at the Newton Cultural Centre has been transformed with handmade decorations – intricate paper cutouts called “pabalat” hanging from the ceiling and a backdrop painted with scenes of rural Philippine life. Volunteers in traditional Barong Tagalog shirts and butterfly-sleeved Filipiniana dresses welcome guests.
“We wanted to create an immersive experience,” says Ramon Bandong, event organizer and president of the Pinoy Pride Society of BC. “When children walk in and see their culture celebrated so beautifully, it sends a powerful message that their heritage matters in Canada.”
Between poetry performances, the program includes traditional music played on kulintang gongs and demonstrations of the tinikling bamboo dance. Local vendors sell Filipino snacks like bibingka rice cakes and halo-halo desserts, their tables crowded with hungry attendees.
For many in the audience, the evening provides more than entertainment – it offers connection. Eliza Moreno, who immigrated to Surrey five years ago, wipes tears as she watches her 8-year-old son perform a short poem in Tagalog.
“When we moved here, I was afraid he would lose his language, his roots,” she confides. “Events like this help him see that being Filipino-Canadian means he can carry both worlds proudly.”
The cultural resurgence isn’t happening in isolation. The BC Arts Council has recently expanded its Cultural Equity Program, which aims to support artistic traditions from diverse communities. Filipino-Canadian arts organizations received $187,000 in grants last year to support cultural programming across the province.
“There’s growing recognition that cultural arts aren’t just entertainment – they’re essential for community wellbeing,” says Carmela Rodriguez, a community health worker who serves Surrey’s Filipino population. She points to research from the Public Health Agency of Canada showing that cultural connection is a social determinant of health, particularly for immigrant communities.
As the evening concludes with a community singalong of “Bahay Kubo,” a beloved Filipino folk song, the intergenerational impact of the event becomes clear. Teenagers who arrived reluctantly are now excitedly filming portions to share on social media, while elders beam with pride.
“This is just the beginning,” says Bandong as he surveys the full house. “We’re planning a series of cultural nights focusing on different Philippine traditions – from epic storytelling to indigenous weaving demonstrations.”
The Surrey Balagtasan night represents a broader movement of cultural reclamation happening in immigrant communities across Canada. As Dr. Guerrero puts it, “These aren’t just nostalgic exercises – they’re active negotiations of identity in a multicultural society. When communities celebrate their heritage publicly, it enriches Canada’s cultural landscape for everyone.”
As the crowd disperses into the cool evening, many linger in conversation, reluctant to break the spell of connection. Children practice the tongue-twisting rhymes they’ve heard, while parents exchange contact information and plans for carpooling to the next cultural event.
For one night in Surrey, an ancient art form has bridged generations and continents, proving that cultural traditions don’t just survive immigration – with community support, they can thrive and evolve in new soil.
