a talk prepared for the Transnational Filipinx Research Workshop York University Toronto ON November 14, 2016

1. Fritz Pino, OISE/University of Toronto
Monica Batac, McGill University
Mary Ann San Juan, Filipino Centre Toronto
Transnational Filipinx Studies, York U
November 14, 2016
Filipino Elderly Well-being (FEW) Project

2. In Memoriam
community researchers, volunteers, and participants
2011-2016

3. Agenda
Introduction
Context of Filipino Seniors in Canada
History of FEW Project
Project Revival
Current Projects
Reflections

4. Filipino Elderly Well-being (FEW) Project
Mary Ann San Juan
Toronto Seniors’ Forum Representative
Frank Villanueva
Board of Directors, Filipino Centre Toronto
Fritz Luther Pino, Ph.D. Candidate
University of Toronto
Monica Batac, Ph.D. Student
McGill University
Advisor: Dr. Roland Sintos Coloma
Northern Kentucky University
(formerly OISE/UT)
CORE TEAM

5. Context
PHILIPPINES Largest source of immigrants to Canada since 2006
FILIPINOS 4th largest visible minority group in the country
ELDERLY FILIPINOS (65+) Largest concentration is in Toronto
CMA = 44% of elderly Filipino in Canada
Filipinos are the fastest growing elderly racialized minority.
(Stats Can 2011)
18, 285 38, 275 53, 950
aged 55 to 64
In 2011
Filipino seniors (65+)
2001
Filipino seniors (65+)
2011

6. Community Partner: Filipino Centre Toronto
(FCT)
SURVEY
250 Filipinos aged 65 and above in the GTA
INTERVIEWS
20 participants (10 men and 10 women)
THEMES
Migration History, Housing, Income, Food,
Health, Medical and Social Services, Mobility
and Social Support
Participating Organizations:
Blessed John XXIII Parish (Don Mills) Brampton
Filipino Seniors Club
Circulo Ilonggo
Eglinton Square Walking Club (Scarborough)
Filipino Canadian Association
Filipino Parents Association
First Filipino Baptist Church Toronto
Knights of Columbus - San Lorenzo Ruiz 8808
Markham Federation of Filipino Canadians
Milton Filipino Seniors (Halton Multicultural Council)
Silayan Filipino Volunteer Seniors of Mississauga
St. Patrick’s Parish (Toronto)
Tahanan Non-Profit Homes
The Pillars Association
True Davidson Acres Long-Term Care Centre
FEW Research Project (2011 – 2013)

7. “It is difficult to address policy, funding, medical and social services,
and family issues without data. Our research will be thorough and
inclusive, so that our findings can have a positive impact on the lives of
our elderlies.”
– Dr. Roland Sintos Coloma
“The time has come for Filipinos to face the reality that we have an
increasing greying population. So that we can properly support them,
we need to ask, what are their needs? And that is where we will begin.”
– Frank Villanueva

8. 70%Of elderly Filipinos
in the GTA live in
poverty
11.4%
National statistic
compared to
City of Toronto statistic
17 – 23 %
They have individual yearly incomes of $24,000 or less.
Factors: Deprofessionalization and de-skilling of Filipinos during pre-retirement.
Impact: Poverty is more pronounced to those who migrated to Canada from 1991 onwards.
They have a median individual yearly income between $6,001 and $12,000.
Key Findings

9. Citations
Coloma, R. S. & Pino, F. L. (2016). “There’s hardly anything left”: Poverty and the
economic insecurity of elderly Filipinos in Toronto. Canadian Ethnic Studies
48(2), 71-97.
Coloma, R.S., Pino, F.L., & Villanueva, F. (2013, April 29). “Life is really hard here”:
The living conditions and needs of Filipino elderlies in the Greater Toronto
Area. A Community Report with Filipino Centre Toronto. Retrieved at:
http://media.wix.com/ugd/cec29b_8db4dd6f1e3a63d8dbb931a7c178e4c4.pdf

10. 1. A task force on Filipino elderlies for policy direction, advocacy strategy,
and program development.
2. Organizational capacity for Filipino seniors organization.
3. Collaboration and joint partnerships with other ethno-racial seniors.
4. Politicians with sizable Filipino constituencies need to take consistent
leadership and coalition building roles to advocate for the best interests of
Filipino elderlies.
5. The hiring, retention, and advancement of Filipino medical , social service,
and mental health providers.
Recommendations (selected)

11. what happened next?

12. & then a (brief) halt

13. Revival (starting November 2015)
ABOVE: November 24/25 deputations for
Toronto Seniors’ Strategy
RIGHT: Revival Meeting, January 2016

14. Filipino Representation on the Toronto Seniors Forum (TSF)
Photo: Philippine Reporter
Key Issues for TSF include:
• Advocacy: Provide ongoing input into the
implementation of the Toronto Seniors’ Strategy.
• Outreach: Lead the formation of a network of seniors’
organizations in Toronto to collaborate on joint
advocacy initiatives.
• Leadership and Operations: Develop and implement
initiatives that will strengthen, renew and enhance the
ability of TSF and its members to carry out its mandate.
• Policy: Develop policy positions on issues that are
relevant to seniors. - including, but not limited to,
those being addressed by Council and municipal
committees.
Mary Ann San Juan

15. Attending Toronto Council on Aging’s Age Friendly Forum
March 2016

16. Participation at
Toronto Seniors’ Summit
(June 2016)

17. Website Development
filipinoseniors.ca
Funded by Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat
Focus groups to determine content
Senior volunteers for outreach
Spring 2017
Community launch of Filipinoseniors.ca

18. Wychwood Library Project
Meeting with Councillor Joe Mihevc
re: a dedicated space for Filipino
seniors’ programs and services
Survey for Filipino Seniors in Ward 21
Led by Mary Ann San Juan
Community partner: Holy Rosary
Catholic Church

19. Reflections
Recognizing varying needs between researchers and community
• As Social Work Ph.D. students, what does it mean to engage in
research and practice?
• Short and long-term needs (policy and programs)
“Walking alongside” community members and organizations
• bridging between groups
From community members to advocates

20. Thank you
Fritz | fritz.pino@utoronto.ca
Monica | monica.batac@mail.mcgill.ca
Mary Ann | masj0515@gmail.com
www.filipinoseniors.ca