I had NO IDEA Filipinos love to play basketball.

When I visited Toronto’s Little Manila, I met up with my new friends, Aia and Patty, who helped me understand just how important basketball is to our history both in the Motherland and across the diaspora.

When I decided to visit Toronto, Canada and learn about Filipino history there, I had no idea what to expect.

I assumed it was like the Little Manila communities I've visited across the U.S. But I was shocked to hear that Filipinos had only recently established this area in the early 1990s.

After spending a week in Toronto, Canada, I was schooled about the history, culture and ways of Filipino-Canadians.

While there are many similarities between Filipinos in Canada and the U.S., there are very distinctive differences in their approach to Filipino identity that make them very special in the Philippine Diaspora.

During my time in the Philippines, I had so many mind blowing breakthroughs, not only about the country, but also about myself.

I have never felt so welcome and so cared for than during my time with the T’Boli community. And I am forever grateful that she allowed me to reconnect to our Motherland in this very special way.