Philippines flag flies high in Yellowknife to mark Philippines Independence Day

The Philippines national flag was unfurled Monday at Yellowknife City Hall to commemorate Philippines Independence Day.

It was the first time the flag has flown at city hall and it attracted a crowd of about 25 to witness the moment.

Philippines Independence Day marks the end of Spanish rule 119 years ago on June 12, 1898. In the Philippines the day is a national holiday.

There are about 800 Filipinos living in the N.W.T., according to the latest Statistics Canada calculations, a small part of the more than 650,000 that call Canada home.

Lea Barbosa Leclerc is president of the Philippine Cultural Association of Yellowknife. She said Filipinos come to Canada for many reasons, but mainly to make a better life for themselves and their families.

She shares a refrain often heard from those who describe their foray North as something meant to be temporary.

"My goal … after I graduated from the University of Calgary [was] just to stay in the North for five years. I thought I could stay and then move away somewhere that's not cold — but I'm still here, after 17 years."

Barbosa Leclerc said there's something about the North that defies a person's expectations.

"It's the sense of belonging, the fresh air. People here are very welcoming," she said. "Northern people are … very accepting and supporting of us."

Barbosa Leclerc said the Philippine Cultural Association now counts almost 450 as members, up from 200 members just recently.

She said the organization tries to schedule monthly events, and the cultural association Facebook page is the best place to keep up with what is going on in the community.