"Canada has given us the opportunity for a better life, better education for the children." said Nene Santos, a secretary at Sir John Franklin.

She moved to Canada from the Philippines in 1978, leaving behind the oppressive dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos.

"Under the martial law regime, there was hardly freedom," said Santos, a member of Yellowknife's ever-growing Filipino community.

To celebrate their pride being in Canada, the 350-member Philippine Cultural Association dedicated their Canada Day parade float to Canadian immigration.

"We want to celebrate Canada accepting us, coming from another country," said Santos when she spoke about the float that won the award for best cultural entry.

The Filipino float came complete with a judge performing a mock citizenship swearing-in.

The same procedure was repeated later in the day, this time for real, when nine members of the community were sworn in as Canadian citizens.

It has been 50 years since the first Immigration Act came into force. It permits people to become Canadian citizens, instead of just being British subjects in the Commonwealth.

Santos, who became a Canadian in 1983, added that "Canada is my home now since I became a citizen."

People who are born in Canada tend to take its quality of life for granted. Immigrants from the Philippines tend not to.

"It is a dream come true to come to Canada," said Tina Rivera.

They do not forget about their former country either, when they make their new life here in Canada.

Violeta Lau-a said "We love it (Canada) the way we love our old country."

They also try to constantly improve the situation of the people still in the Philippines. "We help poor relatives back home," said Rivera, who was just back last year to visit.

The community sends money back home, which is worth much more there than it is here.

Here in Canada there tends to be a generation gap between the Philippine-born and their Canadian-born offspring.

"The Philippines is my country, but Canada is my home," said Gloria Reyes, who said she believes the youth don't have as many ties to the old country. "They feel Canadian more than Filipino."

Jemma Rivera, a first-generation Canadian, said she feels proud to be Canadian because of "diversity and freedom."

Association members said they were happy with Canada Day festivities because the they give them an opportunity to celebrate Canada and show Yellowknife their culture.

Next summer they plan to participate in Canada Day again, but they have another event before that. Next June 12, the Philippines celebrates 100 years of independence from Spain.