Filipino restaurants in Metro Vancouver face uncertain Christmas amid flood aftermath, COVID-19 restrictions

For many Filipinos, celebrating Christmasmeans attending Catholic mass as a familyand having large gatherings with treats like lechon, or whole roast pig, often the centrepiece in a holiday feast.

"They need to have that on their table,"said Mary Loa, ownerof Kumare Restaurant and Bakery in Richmond, B.C."It's our tradition, it's [our] custom, passed from one generation to another."

Loawas fielding many requests for lechon ahead of the holidays, but problems arose afterfloods in November killed thousands of animals in the Fraser Valley.

"My heart just sank," she said. "All those pigs have been ordered. The customers fully paid. We have to do e-transfer, to give them back their money."

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Loais one of several Filipinorestaurant ownersthat had been anticipating a busy season during a significant holiday for the Filipino community,but now facea challenging December, following devastating floods and new COVID-19 restrictions.

With supply chaindisruptions, Filipino ingredients have been hard to come by, and increasing food prices have driven up costs by 40 per cent over the past few months, Loasays.

She says Kumare, which has been running for 12 years, can absorb some cost increases but the future is uncertain.

"If it's long-term, I just don't know what lies ahead," she said. "... If we have to really have a huge loss, then I don't know. Sad to say."

New gatheringrestrictions dampen demand

"Christmas is one of the biggest events, if not the biggest event of the Filipino families back home, especially to the Catholics," said Joel Castillo, president of the United Filipino Canadian Associations in B.C. (UFCABC).

He says festivities typicallybegin withSimbang Gabi, which translates to 'night mass' and involves going to church for nine days leading up to Dec. 24, when families prepare alarge feastto celebrateChristmas eve with loved ones.

"If it is a Filipino event, there is food, not just enough for the people who are joining the event, but [for] what we call the 'doggie bag' after," he added.

On Monday, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry limited indoorgatherings tohousehold members plus 10 visitors, or one other household, with everyone over 12 fully vaccinated.

The smaller gatherings mean smaller feasts. Since the restrictionswere announced, Loa has received calls from customers cancelling their large orders.

The same has happened to Bennet Miemban-Ganata, who ownsPlato Filipino restaurant in New Westminster.

"We're sad about it but we need to follow the rules," she said.

Restaurants a pillar in theFilipino community

Miemban-Ganata, who immigrated to Canada in 2016, saysshe was forced to find a new location for Plato Filipino this year when plans were announced to revelop its original locationon Joyce Street in Vancouver.

Now,she's pushing to keep Plato Filipino going.

"[It's] the sense of keeping our culture alive," she said. "My part now ... it's for me to still continue the culture, the food culture of the Philippines."

Loa feelssimilarly.

"I know the Filipinos here sometimes have twojobs, three jobs, I can hear them calling from SkyTrain to pick up [their food]and rush to their next job," she said.

"We don't want to keep on increasing the price [of food], I know they have to send money back home. I know how hard it is," she added.

"These business people are trying to maintain the traditions and culture they can bring to Vancouver," said Castillo.

He says he hopes the Filipino community can adaptto the new challenges and keepthe holiday spirit as they mark this significant season in their culture.

"Let's be patient, let's celebrate,whatever we can do to make ourselves happy," he said.

"Lechon isn't the end of everything. Let's ... celebrate Christmas regardless of the effect of the pandemic."

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