Kapwa walk connects Montreal’s Filipino community

Explore, connect and move are the motivations behind the Kapwa walk, a monthly meet up for members of the Filipino community in Montreal.

The walk takes place in a new neighbourhood every month and this weekend it was in Chinatown.

“I’ve noticed as a Filipino newcomer here in Montreal that we’re always stuck in neighbourhoods such as Côte–des–Neiges or uptown,” said Jon Marvin Reyes, one of the walk’s organizers and director of projects for the Kapwa Centre. “Here in Kapwa walk, our goal is to really explore different neighbourhoods, to allow other Filipino to see different neighbourhoods in Montreal.”

Making connections is also an important aspect of the Kapwa walk says Lei Lopez, one of the participants who moved to Montreal from Calgary.

“It’s been a great opportunity to meet a lot of people and so it really has built this sense of community. And I enjoy discovering new parts of Montreal with this lens of the same background kind of people. And then just learning more about the Filipino community here in Montreal,” said Lopez.

The walk started during the pandemic and participants have already discovered Pointe-Saint-Charles, the Mile End and Shaughnessy Village.

Organizers say that the Kapwa walk is also aimed at building relationships with the LGBTQ youth and their families, as well as helping people maintain better mental health.

“For this month, particularly in May, because it is Asian Heritage Month, we’re here also to commemorate for the 100 year of Chinese Exclusion Act,”  said Reyes.

Saturday’s walk was led by Andre Ho, one of the community leaders of the LGBTQ+ Community Center of Montreal. He gave a tour of Chinatown and its history.

The next Kapwa walk will be recognizing Filipino Heritage Month.

“Next month it is June,” said Reyes. “I mentioned it’s a summer monthly walk and we’ll be going to our own uptown or Côte–des–Neiges area where we’ll be learning more about the Filipino neighbourhood here in Montreal.”

Lopez, who is relatively new to the Montreal Filipino community, has participated in every Kapwa walk so far.

“It’s just very welcoming,” she said. “And I really feel that it contributes to here feeling like home.

“It was just a great opportunity to connect with the community on a monthly basis in a free way, like a very accessible way, and explore more of Montreal.”