Filipino culture on full display at Winnipeg Jets heritage night

The celebration of Filipino culture at the Winnipeg Jets game Saturday – a mix of dance, music, food and tradition – was stirring for members of the community.

The Jets hosted their second annual Filipino Heritage Night during their game against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Thousands in attendance at Canada Life Centre cheered on the team while showcasing their Filipino pride.

“Hockey is for everyone, and this night is really evidence of that,” said Larissa Pagdato, a Winnipeg hockey player who represented the Philippines at an international tournament last year. “Other communities are being embraced and the game really is changing.”

“It means so much having the Filipino heritage and the Filipino community being honoured tonight.”

Larissa and teammates Jordy Wyant and Hanna Pagdato were honoured at the ceremonial puck drop Saturday, calling the experience “unforgettable.”

Together the trio won bronze with the Philippine Eagles at the Union women’s ice hockey tournament in Dubai last September.

Many elements of Filipino culture were included in the celebratory night in Winnipeg.

The national anthems were sung by members of the musical Ma-Buhay!; there were performances from dance group Magdaragat Philippines during the intermission; and Tagalog was included in the in-game presentation.

At the concessions were Filipino food favourites like pork and vegetable lumpia rolls, a hot dog topped with sweet and sour shrimp, chicken adobo skewers, a sesame soy chicken rice bowl, and turon – a caramelized banana dessert spring roll.

Animations specifically designed for Filipino Heritage Night – featuring traditional elements from the culture, including art and mythology – were displayed on the ice and the jumbotron. They were created by a team from Sisler High School’s CREATE program.

WATCH: Sisler High School’s animations on the ice at Canada Life Centre

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“When I found out that the Jets were doing the Filipino Heritage Night I was so excited because… seeing both communities together, we have such a large Filipino community here in Winnipeg and to have the Jets recognize that and celebrate it is really heartwarming for me,” said Caryl Jazz Cruz, a member of Sisler’s CREATE program.

“Seeing our culture being represented in this way during a hockey game is really cool… For someone like me who can’t speak Tagalog, this is another way of connecting with your culture.”

Avril Gragera from Sisler High School’s CREATE Program said most of the animations were done within two weeks.

“It was really fun and everyone put a lot of effort into this whole project,” the 18-year-old said.

“I think it’s really important because… it makes us feel more connected, not only to the Jets but Winnipeg entirely.”

It was also a special night for Gragera because it was her very first Jets game.

“It’s actually really overwhelming,” she said. “When I first stepped into the building there were so many people and Jets jerseys. Even the Filipino Jets jersey logo. I almost got lost, actually.”

All the efforts towards inclusion were not lost on the Philippine Eagles players.

“With Winnipeg being I think the biggest Philippine population per capita outside of the Philippines, it just means so much that the Jets, which is something that Winnipeg embraces so much, are embracing something that is such a big part of the community,” Larissa said.

Winnipeg native Wyant, who plays university hockey in the United States, called the cultural celebration a way to reconnect with her roots.

“I grew up with my lola and lolo, my grandparents, so (I’m) understanding and just getting back into the Filipino culture and just enjoying that side of my heritage more,” she said.

“I don’t remember much but they did bring me along to a lot of the cultural things. Now that I realize that those are specific to Filipino heritage and not everyone gets to do that, probably that’s the most exciting thing for me.”

WATCH: Avril Gragera from Sisler High School’s CREATE Program and Philippine Eagles team member Hanna Pagdato talk Filipino Heritage Night

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Hanna Pagdato, who’s also from Winnipeg but plays hockey in New Brunswick, arrived an hour before puck drop to celebrate with the community.

“Seeing the whole Filipino community together is really beautiful and honestly, it makes me super proud to be a Filipino-Canadian,” Hanna said.

“I think that the culture is being beautifully represented right now.”

Hanna added she loved that Filipino food was being represented.

“I think that everyone should be proud to be a Filipino tonight,” she said. “Especially right now, we’re seeing so many people being brought together. The energy here has been fantastic and I think that bringing that energy everywhere, into our community is going to make us a better Canada.”