About PhilCAS

A window into the Philippines

Driven by a profound dedication to their Philippine heritage, the young members of PhilCAS deliver skillful performances. This cultural pride is the foundation of the professionalism and artistic excellence they bring to audiences across the Lower Mainland and beyond.

To educate, inform and enrich people residing in North America in the traditions and culture of the Philippines, in particular those people of Filipino birth, ancestry, or affiliation.

To create activities where people can participate in order to explore, learn, understand and share the values, tradition and practices and customs of the Filipino people as well as the varied cultures existent in this Canadian society.

To assist the youth in developing a sense of community and responsibility they learn to respect their own cultures, heritage and traditions.

To secure the financial support necessary to keep our cultural programming and international touring thriving.

Our Mission

Training Benefits

Our events and publications encourage sharing and networking between members on a local, regional and national basis. Members find new ways of making the most of their limited resources, of improving the quality of their work and consequently enhancing the experience of their participants.

Meet our Founders

Tonette Gatus

Nes Gatus

Our Story

Tonette and Nes Gatus arrived in Canada in 1997 with extensive expertise in traditional Filipino dance and music. Their vision was to empower young Filipino Canadian youth to discover their heritage through the performing arts. Within a year, driven by overwhelming community support, the Philippine Cultural Arts Society of BC (PhilCAS) was officially established. Today, PhilCAS stands as a premier folk dance group in British Columbia, renowned for sharing authentic cultural traditions with the broader multicultural community.

What began with a small group of students has expanded into a highly disciplined performing arts company of hundreds. Driven by rigorous training standards, the society has developed a comprehensive repertoire comprising five distinct suites. These include Mountain dances, Spanish influenced dances, Exotic dances from the South, typical Countryside dances, and variations from minority regions. This dedication to authentic storytelling and artistic excellence has made PhilCAS a highly requested act for theatres and multicultural festivals.

PhilCAS boasts a rich history of touring, making the company exceptionally prepared for major global festivals. Nationally, the group has participated in prestigious cultural exchanges with organizations in Montreal, Toronto, and Ottawa. Internationally, PhilCAS has proudly represented Canada on European stages, including festival performances in the Netherlands in 2006 and a tour of four major Sicilian festivals in Italy in 2008. The society continues to receive invitations from international impresarios across Europe and Central America, reflecting our caliber on the world stage.

The true strength of PhilCAS lies in its multigenerational structure. The society is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of both adults and youth. Seasoned performers continuously transition into vital leadership roles as mentors, tour coordinators, and dance instructors. Backed by dedicated volunteers, local governments, and cultural organizations, PhilCAS is a thriving artistic community that guarantees professionalism and vibrant energy for every performance.