CHAPTER
08
CARRYING OUR CULTURE FORWARD
Washington's waterways have kept the Filipino community connected in and around Puget Sound. The waters have also helped carry cultural traditions from the Philippines to the U.S.
As a predominantly Catholic and island nation, many Filipino traditions involve ceremonies and celebrations on, in, or near water. In Seattle, some members of the Filipino community continue to celebrate the Our Lady of Peñafrancia celebration from the city of Naga by sailing into Elliott Bay and throwing fresh flowers into the water in honor of the Virgin Mary.
Catholic Filipinos have helped provide spiritual guidance and assistance to those at sea through organizations like the Catholic Seaman's Club. These valuable services keep people connected to home and help meet basic needs of the Filipino community.
Maior life events such as the wedding pictured here have long served as important opportunities for Filipino families across Puget Sound to come together, uphold traditions, and deepen community bonds.
In the Philippines, the feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia is a widely celebrated holiday taking place in early- to mid-September. Devotees participate in processions that take place on waterways as well as on land. Filipinos throughout Puget Sound have also honored this tradition in their own way, gathering at churches to pray and celebrate in community.
Ministering to those at sea
Deacon Joey De Leon of the Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle currently serves as the senior port chaplain and "heart" of the Seattle Seafarers Center, which offers physical and spiritual assistance for international seafarers who visit Puget Sound—about half of which are from the Philippines. Deacon Joey has also provided mentorship for the center's volunteers and staff.
Water-related traditions
Lita Foster describes the Easter Sunday tradition for Catholics in the Philippines to dip themselves in the ocean and then enjoy a meal of fish or seafood together.
