Visayan
[noun] term of endearment for a young woman who is precious and dearly loved • originally from ‘dayang’ meaning princess, lady, or noblewoman • expression of great respect for women in positions of authority and influence

Tagalog
[noun] girl / lady (informal nickname); housemaid, often from the Visayas • family nanny • domestic help • oppressive, derogatory term with negative connotations of class and place of origin

Memory. Sacrifice. Exploration. And love. Indáy is a simple word that taps into the soul and complexity of our experience as members of the Filipino-Canadian diaspora. It pays tribute to the precious relationships that anchor our evolving definition of home in a new country, while touching on the immeasurable struggles through which our parents willingly persevered to give us a future filled with opportunity. And it acknowledges the internal divisions that exist within our own community, acting as a gentle reminder that we are stronger together than we are apart.

In the central and southern Visayas and Mindanao regions, Indáy is a heartfelt term of endearment. The Visayan nickname expresses deep love for cherished female family members and romantic partners. Indáy can be a greeting between close female friends. It also articulates reverence for noteworthy, highly accomplished women who hold positions of great social stature, be they political leaders or heads of religious organizations.

These sentiments of affection and respect are completely overturned in the Luzon area, specifically in Metro Manila. The word indáy holds discriminatory classist associations for many Tagalog speakers, used to negatively reference domestic workers — nannies, maids, laundry women — who move north from the Visayas and Mindanao to find work and provide for their families.

Choosing the name Indáy is our way of conflating these disparate perspectives to move forward by leaning into our collective strength as Filipino-Canadians. In tracing our heritage to a country comprising an estimated 7,641 islands and over 180 spoken languages, we celebrate our inherent differences with a spirit of curiosity and inclusivity, nurturing broader understanding of the cuisine and culture that nourish us.

Indáy spotlights Philippine cuisine through soulful culinary collaborations by talented Filipino-Canadian chefs across the country, highlighting the beautiful nature of third-culture cooking through the lens of personal experiences.

Curated by award-winning cookbook author and Canadian Culinary Championship judge Joie Alvaro Kent and brought to life together with Lee’s Donuts co-owner Celine Bacani, Indáy officially launched its inaugural event series in Vancouver, with four rising young chefs collaborating for two memorable dinners in September, before they journeyed to Calgary in October.