Winnipeg Jets Celebrate Filipino Heritage Night at Home Game

The Winnipeg Jets hosted their second annual Filipino Heritage Night at the Canada Life Centre during their home game against the Philadelphia Flyers. The event was a celebration of Filipino culture and was well-received by the community in attendance.

Larissa Pagdato, a hockey player from Winnipeg who represented the Philippines in an international tournament, expressed her excitement about the event. She mentioned that the night showcased the inclusiveness of hockey and how it is changing to embrace different communities.

Larissa, alongside teammates Jordy Wyant and Hanna Pagdato, received the honor of participating in the ceremonial puck drop. The trio had previously won bronze with the Philippine Eagles at a women’s ice hockey tournament in Dubai.

The Filipino Heritage Night in Winnipeg featured various elements of Filipino culture. The national anthems were sung by the musical group Ma-Buhay!, and dance performances by Magdaragat Philippines took place during intermission. Tagalog was also incorporated into the in-game presentation.

Concessions at the game offered Filipino food favorites such as pork and vegetable lumpia rolls, sweet and sour shrimp hot dogs, chicken adobo skewers, sesame soy chicken rice bowls, and turon, a caramelized banana dessert spring roll.

The event featured animations designed specifically for Filipino Heritage Night, showcasing traditional elements of Filipino culture, including art and mythology. The animations were created by a team from Sisler High School’s CREATE program.

Caryl Jazz Cruz, a member of the CREATE program, expressed her excitement about the Jets’ recognition of the Filipino community and how it allows individuals, even those who don’t speak Tagalog, to connect with their culture in a unique way.

Avril Gragera, another student from Sisler High School’s CREATE program, highlighted the importance of feeling connected not only to the Jets but to the entire city of Winnipeg. She mentioned that the animations were completed within a short timeframe, but the effort put into the project was significant.

For Winnipeg native Jordy Wyant, the Filipino Heritage Night was an opportunity to reconnect with her roots and appreciate her Filipino heritage. She fondly recalled attending cultural events with her grandparents and how she now realizes the value of those experiences.

Hanna Pagdato, who plays hockey in New Brunswick, expressed her pride as a Filipino-Canadian and admired how the whole Filipino community came together for the event. She emphasized the beauty of the cultural representation and the energy present in the arena.

The Philippine Eagles players, including Larissa Pagdato, appreciated the Jets’ recognition of the large Filipino community in Winnipeg. Larissa also mentioned how growing up with her grandparents allowed her to appreciate her Filipino heritage even more.

The celebration of Filipino culture during the game left a positive impact, reminding everyone in attendance to be proud of their Filipino heritage and promoting unity in the community. The event further solidified the Jets’ commitment to inclusivity and honoring different cultures.