Sulong UBC, a Filipino student group that educates and organizes students to mobilize around issues in the Philippines, hosted the third annual Anakbayan Canada Congress from November 29 to December 1.
The National congress aims to educate Filipino students, youth and allies to learn more about the current political climate in the Philippines and how it affects the Filipino diaspora, according to the Anakbayan Canada website. The conference aimed to amplify the struggle for national democracy in the Philippines.
In a statement to The Ubyssey, Sulong wrote the conference started off with an art build ahead of a demonstration taking place on the final day of the conference at Vancouver City Hall condemning Philippines Prime Minister Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s visit to Canada. Other events at the conference included a keynote presentation from Anakbayan Philippines, workshops and cultural performances.
Sulong also wrote that participants were mainly composed of UBC students and many student groups were in attendance, like Sprouts, CiTR and the Bike Kitchen.
During the congress, Sulong wrote it adopted multiple resolutions that helped solidify their goals for the next three years. This included pledging donations to Anakbayan Philippines and other relief efforts, and launching multiple campaigns to address issues faced by the Filipino diaspora in Canada and root problems of Philippine society.
“As an Anakbayan-affiliated organization at UBC, Sulong aims to understand and help resolve the issues of Filipinos on campus as they pertain to their livelihoods, welfare and rights.”
For plans moving forward, Sulong wrote they are currently conducting a community-led survey for Filipino UBC students. The survey asks students about their backgrounds, what issues they face and what changes they would like to see for the Filipino community on campus.
Sulong also wrote about continuing their Food is for Everyone campaign. The campaign seeks to reinstate AMS associate members’ access to the AMS Food Bank. Associate members include UBC and AMS staff and faculty.
- UBC staff now ineligible for AMS Food Bank due to insufficient funding
- Quorum not met at AMS special general meeting, staff food bank access remains restricted
In April, Sulong submitted a petition signed by over 500 students for the AMS to hold a special general meeting (SGM) and to vote on reinstating food bank access to AMS associate members, but quorum was not met at the SGM and the motion could not be voted on. Despite this, Sulong wrote it “plans to spare no effort in further advancing this campaign in the new year.”
“Our goal is for Filipinos here to know they are not alone in their problems, and that through educating each other, having an objective analysis of our conditions, and organizing together as a collective, we can work to overcome them.”
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