Sadya: Filipino Conversation Circles (February to December 2025)
About
Planted in June 2024, Sadya (pronounced sad-YAH, meaning “happy” in Ilonggo and Cebuano, and “intentional” in Tagalog) is a once-a-month Filipino conversation circle to learn and engage in Filipino languages. From beginners to fluent speakers, Sadya: Filipino Conversation Circles is volunteer-led, collaborating with community and framed through knowledge-sharing.
In partnership with Hamilton Public Library (Central and Terryberry).
Sadya: Filipino Conversation Circles Events 2025
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National Symbols and Numbers
June 12, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Hamilton Public Library Terryberry)
On Philippine Independence Day, learn about National Symbols and learn numbers/how to count in Tagalog.
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Pamilya/Family
May 8, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Hamilton Public Library Terryberry)
How are we connected? Learn how to address your family based on their positions (youngest, mother-in-law, older brother).
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How to give and respond to Direksyon/Directions
April 10, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Hamilton Public Library Central)
Learn how to say and respond to directions in Tagalog facilitated by Jennie Hamilton.
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How to introduce yourself in Bisaya (Bisaya Basics)
March 13, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Hamilton Public Library Central)
Learn the history, where Bisaya is spoken in the Philippines and key terms to practice introducing yourself.
Sadya: Filipino Conversation Circles Events 2024
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Introductions, Tracing Roots and Creating Connections
June 12, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Hamilton Public Library Central)
Participants will learn how heritage language learning intersects with decolonization, activism and self-care, phrases to introduce themselves through songs and identify or trace their roots on a map of the Philippines.
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How to order, cultural food and snacks and community gathering
July 10, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Hamilton Public Library Central)
Participants will learn how food and heritage language learning intersect with decolonization activism and community spaces through gathering around food.
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Identity, Feelings and Emotions
August 14, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Hamilton Public Library Central)
Participants will explore how heritage language learning intersects with decolonization, activism and self-care by identifying their emotions, pronouns and learning phrases to express these feelings and deepen their emotional connection with their identity and community.
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Everyday Expressions
September 11, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Hamilton Public Library Central)
Participants will use everyday expressions in their daily conversations to connect with Filipino speakers in a more authentic way.
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Sports as Resistence and Celebration
October 9, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Hamilton Public Library Central)
Participants will learn how sports is resistance through storytelling and phrases in Tagalog to join a game such as basketball.
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Freedom Hymns/Songs
November 13, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Hamilton Public Library Central)
Participants will learn three folk and protest songs from the Philippines known for their resistance to oppression and community organizing power.
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Pamaskong Kantahan at Kuwentuhan Holiday Singing & Storytelling
December 11, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Hamilton Public Library Central)
Participants will learn common words and phrases, Magkuwentuhan Tayo (we will share stories) and practice dialogue that can be used during the holidays.
Meet our facilitators
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Karen Ancheta
Multifaceted Filipina Canadian artist
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Joseph Arevalo
Enjoys both Sciences and the Arts
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Mohamad Bsat
Staff lawyer (Hamilton Community Legal Clinic)
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Julia Espinosa
Community Engagement Coordinator (Filipinas of HamOnt)
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Dion Flores
Founder (KW Sentro)
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Jennie Hamilton
Librarian - Digital Technology, (Hamilton Public Library)
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Lani Lirio
Organizational Effectiveness Consultant
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Rev de Ocampo
General Manager (Club Pilates) and Lead Administrator (National Energy Inc.)
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Angelica Pangilinan
Program Content Strategist (Filipinas of HamOnt)
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Anabelle Ragsag
Co-Executive Director, Co-Founder (Filipinas of HamOnt)
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Josephine Ruiz MA ATR-BC, RP
Registered Psychotherapist
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Criselda Vil
Non-profit organization
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Jessica Vinluan
Co-Executive Director, Co-Founder (Filipinas of HamOnt)
Testimonials from a participant feedback form:
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"Sadya has helped foster a sense of community." - Participant, 2024
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"Sadya is an essential program that serves a long-standing desire of our elders for young people to speak their native language." - Participant, 2024
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"Feeling proud and connecting with our culture in a meaningful and positive way." - Participant, 2024
We are celebrating heritage and connecting with ancestral wisdom
This Conversation Circle is designed for those in the Filipino/a/x diaspora seeking to connect with their ancestral wisdom and build community through language. We approach this journey as peers learning together, committed to language equity rather than as experts.
We invite anyone interested in joining the conversation, connecting with others or volunteering to facilitate future sessions. Our focus is on mutual aid and the empowerment of our collective and individual identities as racialized individuals, aiming to create new, equitable storytelling frameworks (See Kertman 2021, Do What I Say, Not What I Do: Decolonizing Language in International Development).
In an informal environment, participants will practice speaking through flexible, pre-determined topics tailored to the group's needs. Each session will introduce at least five new words or phrases, offering opportunities to learn alongside fellow language learners and native Filipino speakers.
Open to all levels, this free beginner-friendly session welcomes anyone with Philippine heritage, from those with no Filipino language skills to those actively learning one or more Filipino languages, including Tagalog.
The program team leads for Sadya are:
Anabelle Ragsag, concept development, grant writer & point of contact with McMaster OCE, recruiter of facilitators, and facilitator of June Sadya (McMaster University and Filipinas of HamOnt)
Jennie Hamilton, concept co-development and library liaison, facilitator of June & September Sadya (Hamilton Public Library)
Jessica Vinluan, web designer & developer, digital community relations, facilitator of July Sadya, and Sadya sessions leader (Filipinas of HamOnt)
Angelica Pangilinan, social media coordinator and facilitator of July Sadya (Filipinas of HamOnt)
Julia Espinosa, social media contributor and facilitator of July Sadya (Filipinas of HamOnt)