Concordia students’ documentary highlights four unique perspectives on ‘what makes a Filipino-Montrealer’

Concordia University students are attempting to find the answer to the question, “What makes a Filipino-Montrealer?” in a documentary called ‘SHOWPAO’ — where four individuals share their stories of being Filipino in the city.

The group which is part of the Filipino Organization of Concordia University Students (FOCUS) spent six months making the 40-minute film. And about two to three weeks getting to know the individuals within the documentary.

Despite having stark differences in their journeys, there are some similarities in their lives in Canada.

“They were different from everyone. They all had insecurities which was also cool to see how they overcame it and embrace their Filipino identity,” said Dennise Ann Del Mundo, director and lead editor of ‘SHOWPAO: THE FILIPINX-MONTREALER EXPERIENCE.’

Del Mundo adds that every person they spoke with described their story as unique and stood out, almost with a negative connotation to it.

“I have a cousin who went here, she was deported,” said one of the four in the documentary.

Another adding, “Automatically in the 90s, cuz you’re Asian, you’re Chinese.”

WATCH: SHOWPAO: the Filipinx-Montrealer Experience | Official Documentary Trailer

But in the end, these individuals did feel closer to their Filipino identity.

“As we got to talk to them, everyone realized they learned to embrace themselves and that standing out was nothing really, just being Filipino. That’s what made them stand out.”

The documentary is named ‘SHOWPAO,’ a wordplay based on the story of a Cantonese immigrant street vendor, who introduced steamed buns called “Siopao” in Manila.

“We saw that we can relate in a sense of, ok we bring our culture here, and we’ll share it to the world.”

This film also shows how the Filipino-Montrealer experience shifted over the past decades and how the four individuals found a home away from home.

So what makes a Filipinx-Montrealer? “I don’t wanna spoil anything but someone does say it and put it so simply,” responded Del Mundo.

“We tend to complicate things. We feel we don’t fit in. You’re Filipino, you say that you are, and you live in Montreal, you deserve to call yourself Filipino-Montrealer 100 per cent.”

‘SHOWPAO: THE FILIPINX-MONTREALER EXPERIENCE’ can be watched through FOCUS Concordia’s YouTube channel.