Leaving a family and career in The Phillipines to work as a housekeeper in Canada is a reality many Jasper women have chosen. But it’s a decision many local residents don’t fully understand.

That dilemma and others will be examined on next Wednesday evening, as an exploration of the lives of Filipino women will highlight Jasper’s International Women’s Day celebrations on March 10.

Edna Lising, a Filipino Canadian who has been living in Jasper for 18 years, is organizing the entertainment for the evening, which will include traditional Filipino song and dance performance. It will also include a talk by Lising, who will explain the dances, and the choice Filipino women make when coming to Canada.

“Many of these women leave a good career and a family to come here and work as housekeepers,” Lising said. “Many Canadians wonder why we leave.”

Jasperites have seen many of the Filipino dances, but Lising said she isn’t sure if they understand the cultural significance.

“I think the community knows about the singing, but no one has explained it to them,” she said.

Lising is taking a great amount of pride in the event, and said she will be able to draw upon years of experience for her talk.

Ginnette Marcoux, executive director of the Adult Learning Centre has been involved with International Women’s Day in Jasper for some time. This is the first time a volunteer group has been tasked with organizing the content for the day, Marcoux said, which is a departure from other celebrations.

“Our idea in choosing to celebrate the Filipino culture is trying to engage them in the community. Giving them full reign is one way of doing that,” Marcoux said.
The Adult Learning Centre is attempting to engage Jasper’s immigrant population.

“We feel this is a community building exercise,” Marcoux said.

While International Women’s Day falls on March 8, the dinner will occur on March 10 at the Sawridge Inn at 6 p.m.

In other Women’s Day news, The final dates for the local production of The Vagina Monologues have been set. Three performances have been booked for late April.