Moving to Canada is an exciting phase of your life, but, even as you embrace your new life here, it’s perfectly normal to miss some things from your home country. One of the qualities that sets Canada apart from other countries is its multiculturalism. As a newcomer, you’ll never have to look too far to find cultural elements that remind you of the Philippines.
Vancouver is known for having a strong Asian influence. If you’re a newcomer from the Philippines living in Vancouver, you’ll feel right at home amidst familiar experiences that reflect your culture. You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with a growing community of Filipino newcomers that can help ease your transition into your new home.
We asked some newcomers from the Philippines already living in Vancouver about their favourite places to eat, enjoy cultural events, and find daily support to better adapt to life in Canada. Here’s what they had to say:
In this article:
- Filipino restaurants in Vancouver
- Filipino grocery stores in Vancouver
- Filipino shopping and cultural events in Vancouver
- Places to worship in Vancouver
- Find daily support across Vancouver
Filipino restaurants in Vancouver
Vancouver has a rich culinary history, and that includes some incredible Filipino restaurants. You’ll have no problems finding foods to make you feel like you’re back in the Philippines. Here are a few recommended spots:
- Pampanga’s Best Cafeteria (Try the adobo)
- Grandt Kitchen (Try the Kare Kare and Tripe)
- Zugba (Try the grilled chicken inasal)
- Kulinarya Filipino Eatery
Filipino grocery stores in Vancouver
You’ll find all of the ingredients you need to make your favourite Filipino dishes in the stores listed below. The newcomers we spoke with also mentioned that, for basic Filipino ingredients, you can try the Real Canadian Superstore.
- Tatak Pinoy Filipino Store
- Aling Mary’s Filipino Store and Bakery
- Halo Halo Sari Sari Store
Filipino shopping and cultural events in Vancouver
There are two major Filipino cultural events that happen in Vancouver. In August, the Pinoy Fiesta Vancouver takes place in Lower Vancouver and, in June, the Philippine Days Festival is celebrated in North Vancouver. Both events celebrate Filipino culture through arts, food, and outdoor events.
The best place to look for regular events and meetups is online. You’ll find several Facebook groups for Filipino newcomers in Vancouver and their members can recommend places to go for entertainment.
Places to worship in Vancouver
The Filipino churches in Vancouver host prayer services along with several community events and outreach opportunities. They’re a place you can visit not just to worship, but to connect with and be part of the broader community.
- Broadway Church, 2700 E Broadway
- Filipino Fellowship Baptist Church, 849 E, 11th Avenue
Find daily support across Vancouver
- The National Pilipino Canadian Cultural Centre (NPC3) is a hub for Filipinos to “understand their roots and heritage.” They host virtual educational workshops, which you can find on their Instagram, but the ultimate vision for NPC3 is to create a space to learn, gather for different events, engage and support families, and provide services for the Filipino community in Vancouver.
- BC Settlement and Integration Services (BCIS) provides employment services to connect you directly with employers, networking services so you can meet people in your desired profession, as well as general settlement services to ensure you have the information you need to settle into your community.
- Immigration Services Society of BC offers a variety of services, including English language services, help for entrepreneurs interested in starting a business, along with the daily support needed for youth, seniors, and families.
