Our Mission

To unite and empower the Filipino community in Kingston by promoting cultural heritage, delivering community programs, supporting newcomers and families, and fostering collaboration, civic engagement, and intercultural understanding.

Our background

Since our beginnings as part of the longstanding Filipino community efforts in Kingston, we at PIC‑KO have worked to build visibility and presence through cultural celebrations, community gatherings, and civic engagement.

We organize and participate in local events that bring Filipino culture into the Kingston spotlight, such as Philippine Independence Day celebrations and community prayer vigils, fostering solidarity, pride, and mutual support among Filipino Canadians and the broader community. We also champion leadership and engagement opportunities for Filipino‑Canadian youth, helping young people connect with their heritage, build confidence, and become active contributors to Kingston’s diverse cultural fabric.

Through these efforts, we contribute to Kingston’s cultural richness and social cohesion, making Filipino traditions, voices, and values more visible and celebrated in public life.

Part of write-up of Queen’s Journal: https://www.queensjournal.ca/kingston-celebrates-its-21st-annual-santa-parade/

Philippine history and heritage

The Filipino story is one of resilience, bayanihan (communal unity), and kapwa-tao (shared humanity). From Spanish rule beginning in 1521 to American governance until 1946, Filipinos have preserved a rich culture and strong sense of identity. Today, nearly 1 million Canadians identify as Filipino, including many migrants, immigrants, and students who bring their heritage and spirit to Kingston. Celebrate our history, cultural traditions, and the events that bring our community together.