Yukoners celebrate 120 years of Philippine independence

More than a hundredpeople in Whitehorse turned out forFilipino Independence Day celebrations in Whitehorse on Tuesday.

It was the second year festivities were held outside Whitehorse City Hall, which included flying the Phillipine flag.

The day commemorates the Philippines' declaration of independence in 1898, ending400 years of Spanish rule. It's a national holiday in the Philippines.

According to the 2016 census, more than 1,300 people ofFilipino originlive in Yukon.

"I got goosebumps," said one Filipino woman, after the singing of the Philippines' national anthem.

Canadian Filipino Association of Yukon president Yvonne Clarke says the celebration isa chance to share their culture with fellow Canadians and their children.

"Our children were born and raised here they're first-generation immigrants. They may not necessarily know where we come from and why we celebrate it. This is an opportunity to tell a story," said Clarke.

The festivities continued with food, like pork adobo and Filipino bread rolls,or pandesal.

"It's our history. What you see today is made up from the history we've gone through. Independence Day is when we became free to share that history and culture with the world. That's what Independence Day means for me," said Jocelyn Curteanu, a Whitehorse city councillor.

People also wore traditional clothing made from the fibres of the leaves of pineapple plants. Whitehorse Mayor Dan Curtis worea barong tagalog, a traditional embroidered men's shirt.

"I feel very special to be wearing it," said Curtis.

"I don't feel like we have a Filipino community in Whitehorse and Yukon I feel like we have a community," he said.

"I feel like I've been welcomed into and I feel we've all been welcomed into it, and that's something we can all learn as a community of Yukon to embrace everyone."