The mayor of Surrey has declared June Filipino Heritage Month in Surrey to celebrate Filipino culture and the Philippines’ Independence Day. 

“The longtime organization of Filipinos in Surrey, the Surrey Philippine Independence Day Society (SPIDS), brings together in celebration and activities the Filipino Canadian families and communities to recognize and showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Filipino people,” read the proclamation. 

SPIDS and various community organizations will be holding events throughout the month to celebrate Philippine Independence Day (June 12). Follow SPIDS on Facebook for up-to-date information about events. 

“The contribution of the Filipino-Canadian community through the efforts of Surrey Philippine Independence Day Society (SPIDS) petitioned signatures in support of the Proclamation of June as Filipino Heritage Month in Canada, which was recognized in October 2018,” noted the proclamation. 

Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, Steven Guilbeault, noted in a press release that the Lapu Lapu tragedy in Vancouver overshadows this year’s celebrations. 

Eleven people were killed – seven women, two men, one non-binary person and a five-year-old girl – and at least two dozen more were injured, ranging in age from 22 months old to 60 years old, when a person drove an SUV through the crowd at the Vancouver festival on Saturday, April 26. 

“As we share in your sorrow and loss, we also stand in solidarity and hope. May this month continue to be a symbol of unity, resilience and strength in the face of adversity,” Guilbeault said. 

“Filipino Canadians have made lasting contributions to this country’s vibrant history and continue to shape its future. Members of the community have made their mark in diverse fields including health care, entrepreneurship, the arts, sport, science, finance, social justice and politics,” Guilbeault said. “They are integral to our country and have played a key role in building the unified, inclusive society that, today, makes us so proud to be Canadian.” 

Apart from working on the official #FilipinoHeritageMonth declaration in Canada 🇨🇦 in 2019, we also work on this every single year – our legacy of service and leadership to the #FilipinoCanadian community. 🇵🇭 Mabuhay! #SurreyBC @CityofSurrey pic.twitter.com/eTqyeRMhwb

— Surrey Filipino Canadians (@SpidsSurrey) June 1, 2025