Featured image: An illustrative Filipino-Canadian family Thanksgiving gathering (AI-generated).
A Season to Give Thanks
October brings golden autumn leaves, cooler days, and a special opportunity for families across Canada to reflect on what matters most. On Monday, October 12, 2026, Canadians observe Thanksgiving—a time to appreciate family, friendship, community, and the many blessings of everyday life.
For Filipino-Canadians in Surrey and throughout British Columbia, the holiday can also be a celebration of the Filipino values of pasasalamat (gratitude), pagmamalasakit (care for others), and bayanihan (community cooperation). At the Surrey Filipino Canadian Society of BC (SFCSBC), these values remind us that belonging grows when we come together and support one another.
Thanksgiving with a Filipino Touch
Every family observes Thanksgiving in its own way. In Filipino-Canadian homes, a traditional turkey dinner might sit alongside pancit, lumpia, adobo, rice, or a favourite family dessert. The combination reflects our lives in Canada: we embrace new traditions while honouring the flavours and memories of home.
More important than the menu is the chance to reconnect. Sharing a meal, telling stories, and welcoming friends or neighbours can turn a holiday gathering into a meaningful expression of gratitude.
The Spirit of Bayanihan
In Filipino culture, bayanihan describes people working together for the good of others. That spirit is especially meaningful during Thanksgiving, when gratitude can be expressed through action—not just words.
A friendly check-in with an older neighbour, a warm welcome for a newcomer, a shared meal with someone far from family, or a few volunteer hours can make a real difference. These gestures strengthen our community and remind us that nobody should feel alone.
Supporting Newcomers and Building Connections
For newcomers to Canada, the autumn season can bring excitement as well as challenges. Adjusting to a new environment, finding community connections, and navigating the first Canadian holidays may feel unfamiliar.
Established Filipino-Canadian residents can help by sharing practical advice, introducing newcomers to community activities, or simply inviting them into conversations and gatherings. A small act of inclusion can become the beginning of a lasting friendship.
Teaching Gratitude to the Next Generation
Thanksgiving is also a chance to show children that gratitude includes appreciation for family, teachers, volunteers, elders, and the broader community. We can encourage young people to ask grandparents about their stories, learn Filipino words of thanks, or participate in family and neighbourhood acts of kindness.
When children see gratitude practiced through generosity and respect, they carry those values into their schools, friendships, and future communities.
Simple Ways to Celebrate This October
This October, consider sharing a Filipino-Canadian potluck with friends, reaching out to someone celebrating away from family, donating to a local food bank, or thanking a community volunteer. You can also make time for a family conversation about what everyone is grateful for this year.
Whether the celebration is large or small, the goal is the same: to create connection, share blessings, and make others feel welcome.
A Message of Thanksgiving from SFCSBC
As October unfolds, the Surrey Filipino Canadian Society of BC extends warm Thanksgiving wishes to Filipino-Canadian families, neighbours, volunteers, and friends across the community.
May this season remind us to be thankful for our roots, proud of our shared journey, and generous toward those around us. Together, we can keep the spirit of bayanihan alive in Surrey and beyond.
Maligayang Thanksgiving! Maraming salamat, at mabuhay ang ating komunidad!