Little Manila Queens

Australia

Sydney

Around 85,000 Filipino-Australians reside in the jurisdiction overseen by the Blacktown City Council. Among the population of the City of Blacktown, individuals born in the Philippines make up 5.9%, constituting the largest directly born ethnic group in the area. Moreover, over fifty percent of Filipino-Australians are situated in New South Wales.

Melbourne

“Filipinos in Victoria, a website from Vicnet, a division of the State Library of Victoria, notes that Filipinos have settled in various areas of Metropolitan Melbourne, with the largest concentration choosing to reside in the western suburbs.”

Canada

Winnipeg

Winnipeg is home to 56,400 Filipinos, making it the third-largest Filipino community in Canada by total population, but the largest by percentage at 8.7%. The Filipino community in Winnipeg is the largest visible minority group in the city, surpassing Chinese-Canadians and Indo-Canadians (excluding Aboriginal Canadians, who are not considered a “visible minority” by Statistics Canada). Winnipeg boasts the most established Filipino community in Canada, with mass migration beginning in the 1950s.

Approximately 1 out of every 10 Filipinos in Canada resides in Winnipeg. The city also hosts a Filipino community center known as The Philippine Canadian Centre of Manitoba (PCCM), offering social and service support to the Filipino community and organizing events such as Folklorama. Additionally, there are several Filipino newspapers, including The Pilipino Express News Magazine, The Filipino Journal, and Ang Peryodiko, along with a radio station, CKJS, broadcasting Filipino-related news, music, lifestyle, and more.

The Filipino population in Winnipeg is primarily concentrated in the West End and North End areas of the city. For instance, the neighborhood around Sargent Avenue and Arlington Street is 45% Filipino, while the neighborhood near Sargent Avenue and Wall Street is 47% Filipino.

There have been reports of a proposal to establish a Filipino cultural district, which is currently undergoing community consultations.

Ontario

Greater Toronto Area

Toronto, located in the province of Ontario, boasts the largest Filipino community in Canada, with over 250,000 Filipinos residing in Toronto and its suburbs. Filipinos constitute approximately 5% of Toronto’s population, making them the fourth-largest visible minority group in the city. Toronto serves as the primary destination for Filipino immigrants and tourists, attracting around 9,000 individuals annually.

Downtown Toronto

Downtown Toronto is home to over 670,000 people, with over 20,000 individuals, or approximately 3%, being of Filipino origin. The majority of Filipinos residing in Downtown Toronto inhabit the neighborhoods of St. James Town, where they constitute the largest visible minority group, accounting for 22% of the population, and Parkdale, particularly around Jameson Avenue.

Compared to other areas of Toronto, Downtown Toronto has a relatively small number of Filipino businesses. In St. James Town and surrounding neighborhoods, there are a handful of businesses and offices dispersed throughout the area. These include a variety store (Philippine Variety Store), a take-out restaurant (Wow Philippines! Eat Bulaga!), a dental office (Dr. Victoria Santiago and Associates), a community center (The Filipino Centre, Toronto), and an office of The Filipino Channel.

North York

North York, the northern inner suburb of Toronto, is home to over 620,000 people, with approximately 4% or over 25,000 individuals being of Filipino origin. The Filipino community in North York is primarily concentrated around Clanton Park and Flemingdon Park.

Bathurst Street serves as the main thoroughfare in North York and is predominantly populated by Filipino residents. In Clanton Park, the intersection of Bathurst Street and Wilson Avenue is characterized by a high concentration of Filipino businesses, leading to the area being unofficially referred to as “Little Manila.” Street festivals are common during the summer season, adding to the vibrant atmosphere.

Across the Overlea Bridge from Thorncliffe Park, Flemingdon Park is another area with a significant Filipino population. Of the nearly 20,000 residents in Flemingdon Park, approximately 2,500 are of Filipino descent. Similar to other high-rise communities in Toronto, Flemingdon Park witnessed the growth of its Filipino community during the 1970s and 80s.

Scarborough

Scarborough, the eastern part of Toronto, is home to about 600,000 people, with approximately 7% or over 40,000 individuals being of Filipino origin. Filipino Canadians rank as the third largest Asian Canadian subgroup and the fourth largest visible minority group in Scarborough.

Throughout Scarborough, Filipino establishments and offices are prevalent, with nearly every mall and plaza featuring at least one Filipino establishment. Some popular restaurants include Marcy Fine Foods, Remely’s, Barrio Fiesta, Chef George, Sino Pino, Mayette’s, Jesse Jr. (with 3 branches), Golden Valley Food Outlet, Cucina Manila, Bicol Express, Esperanza’s Pancitan, Mami’s, Coffee In, and Fiesta Filipino. Additionally, FV Foods (with 3 branches), Manila Bakery, and Baker’s Best specialize in Filipino sweets and breads. Many of these establishments also serve as stores offering imported Filipino products. Scarborough also hosts numerous remittance and door-to-door service offices, including Mabini Express, PNB, Forex, UMAC Express Cargo, Gemini Express, and RemitX.

Mississauga

Mississauga, a city immediately west of Toronto and Canada’s sixth-largest city, is home to over 700,000 people, with approximately 4.6% or just over 30,000 individuals being of Filipino origin. Filipino Canadians rank as the third largest Asian Canadian subgroup and the fourth largest visible minority group in Mississauga. Tagalog, the Filipino language, is the seventh most spoken language in the city. The growth of Mississauga’s Filipino community is largely attributed to its proximity to Toronto, although specific citations for this claim are needed.

Throughout Mississauga, numerous Filipino establishments and professional offices are dispersed. Some popular establishments include Something Sweet 4 U (with 2 branches), Ellen’s Place, Minerva Studio and Restaurant, Aristokrat, Halo Halo World Cafe, and a branch of FV Foods. Additionally, several stores specialize in Filipino goods, and many Asian supermarkets carry Filipino products. The Philippine National Bank also has an office in Mississauga, along with numerous professional offices, particularly dental and law offices.

Mississauga hosts various Filipino cultural events, with two Filipino community centers, namely Kalayaan Community Centre and The Fiesta Filipina Centre for the Arts. Mississauga Valley Park serves as the venue for many community events, including the Kalayaan Independence Day Picnic and the Philippine Colleges and Universities Alumni Associations Summerfest. Furthermore, Mississauga Celebration Square at the city center hosts the annual Philippine Festival.