RISE Tribe Celebrates Filipino Heritage Month with Youth Empowerment & Collective Healing at Second Annual RISE UP: TULAYAN

TORONTO, ON — To mark Filipino Heritage Month, RISE Tribe brought together the Filipino community for the second annual RISE UP: TULAYAN, a youth-centred day of empowerment, healing, and cultural connection. Held at Bevyon June 7th, the sold-out event welcomed Filipino youth from across the Greater Toronto Area to celebrate their heritage, build community, and explore new pathways for their futures.

With the theme “Tulayan” a word meaning “to bridge” in several Philippine languages, this year’s gathering focused on bridging gaps between generations, between youth and elders, and between identity and belonging. The full-day program featured mentorship sessions, immersive workshops, and open conversations designed to reconnect young Filipinos to their roots and to each other.

“In light of the recent tragedy in Vancouver, we reflected on the even stronger need to co-create a space for healing and community,” said Dee de Lara, Co-Director of RISE UP: TULAYAN. “This event is about more than heritage—it’s about collective care, exploring identity, disrupting expectations and shaping the future we want to see.”

RISE Tribe continues to serve as a platform for Filipino-Canadian youth to discover alternative career paths, challenge stereotypes, and build networks of support. Co-Founder Abby Albino shared, “RISE Tribe is rooted in our desire to expand what’s possible for young Filipinos in Canada. Events like RISE UP help break down barriers—not just professionally, but culturally and emotionally.”