A Filipino rock scene grows in Winnipeg

Demographics have much to do with the burgeoning rock-alt music scene. Some 35% of the Filipinos in Canada are between the ages of 25 to 44. HANDOUT

Winnipeg, Manitoba’s large and still growing Filipino Canadian community is spawning an independent rock music scene that was evident in last Saturday, May 27’s Filipino rock performances at “Five Against the Wall.”

The show held at X-Cues Cafe & Lounge on Sargent Avenue featured the alt-rock trio Humous founded by Julius Cesar Eugenio; hard rock/punk/funk/blues band Velvet Blitz; Electric Boneyard; What The Funk; and Awfully Quiet.

Demographics have much to do with the burgeoning rock-alt music scene. Some 35% of the Filipinos in Canada are between the ages of 25 to 44, and Winnipeg is home to 77,305 Filipinos, making up the third largest Filipino community in the country and the most visible minority group in the city.

The band Humous performing. FACEBOOK

Global News Canada’s Sam Thompson, who surveyed the Fil-Canadian rock scene, spoke to a couple of its movers and shakers, and learned that the circle of bands has been hard at work supporting and promoting each other.

Julius Eugenio, Humous singer and bass guitarist told Thompson that Filipinos are keen to honor their heritage. “But it’s always lumpia and adobo. Why not alternative bands for a change?”

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Velvet Blitz multi-instrumentalist and singer Adrian Villanueva confirmed that Winnipeg’s large Filipino community has always drawn touring artists from the Philippines. But now, it is also becoming a favorite performance destination for Filipino rock and alt outfits from all over Manitoba.