The Winnipeg Jets will host the second annual Filipino Heritage Night on Saturday, Jan. 13 when they take on the Philadelphia Flyers at 6 p.m. The game celebrates Winnipeg’s vibrant Filipino community, which is Canada's third-largest, by showcasing Filipino culture, cuisine and community collaborations.

The evening’s entertainment will feature music influenced by Filipino culture, as well as intermission performances from dance group Magdaragat Philippines, and the musical Ma-Buhay!, co-created by Joseph Sevillo and Rainbow Stage, which will feature lively pop/hip-hop music and choreography with lyrics in both English and Tagalog. Members of Ma-Buhay! will also sing the national anthems.

Game presentation will again feature digital media elements created by students of Sisler High School’s CREATE program, an entertainment arts training program.

Jets gameday hosts will be joined by local radio personalities Donna Natividad-Arenas and Tyler Magnaye, who will bring Tagalog to the in-game presentation.

Filipino food favourites featuring at concessions throughout Canada Life Centre including pork and vegetable lumpia rolls, a Filipino Jet Dog topped with sweet and sour shrimp, chicken adobo skewers, a sesame soy chicken rice bowl, and turon – a caramelized banana dessert spring roll.

The ceremonial puck drop will feature Winnipeggers Hanna Pagdato, Larissa Pagdato, and Jordy Wyant who recently represented the Philippines, winning Bronze at the Union women's ice hockey tournament in the United Arab Emirates; and Gil Buenaventura, Executive Director of Magdaragat Philippines.

During intermission, individuals enrolled in the Apna/Jets Bauer First Shift program will participate in a friendly scrimmage. As part of True North’s efforts to grow the game at a grassroots level, a collaboration with Apna Hockey launched the inaugural Apna/Jets Bauer First Shift program. The six-week introduction to hockey has provided an opportunity for more than 120 kids, many of Filipino Heritage, to be outfitted with full hockey equipment and learn from Apna Hockey instructors. Many of these new skaters will continue on with the program’s “Second Shift” in April 2024. More information is available at hockeyforallcentre.com.

Six limited edition team-issued autographed Winnipeg Jets Filipino Heritage jerseys – featuring the Jets Filipino Heritage logo designed by graphic designer Jonato Dalayoan and True North’s Creative Lead, Marc Gomez – will be available for silent auction at the game in support of various Filipino organizations.

Additional Filipino Heritage jerseys will be available through an online auction at auctions.nhl.com/WinnipegJets from Thursday, Feb. 1 to Sunday, Feb. 11.  

An expanded line of Filipino Heritage clothing and merchandise will be available at Jets Gear and online at TrueNorthShop.com leading up to the Filipino Heritage Night game.

2022-23 Highlights

THE EIGHT RAY GOLDEN SUN

A prominent symbol on the Filipino flag and of Filipino heritage. The sun has come to represent unity, freedom, democracy, and sovereignty.

THREE STARS

Also found on the Filipino flag.
These stars represent the three major island groups: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

TRI-COLOUR JET

The three colours of the Filipino flag overlaid on to the Jet. This reflects the Filipino heritage and it's integration into Lanadian culture.

PATTERN

A reference to traditional textile patterns and embodies the bold and festive spirit of the Filipino community.