A New Film Gives Filipino Mountaineers Their Moment in the Rockies

When director Trixie Pacis first heard about the K8 Mountaineering Club of Alberta, she didn’t expect their story to hit so close to home. What began as a film about Filipino Canadians in the mountains became something deeper, a reflection on belonging, identity, and the uphill climb that every immigrant faces.

Using climbing as a metaphor for resilience, Ahon (which means “to rise” in Filipino) follows the members of K8 as they navigate not only the steep slopes of the Canadian Rockies but also the challenges of building a new life in a foreign land.

“I realized I hadn’t spent much time outdoors with fellow Filipinos,” Pacis said. “When I joined K8, I found a deeper connection to my culture and language. I knew I could give back by sharing their story.”

Building a New Kind of Ascent

Founded in Calgary by a small group of Filipino immigrants, K8 Mountaineering Club began as a way to make the outdoors more accessible to their community. Today, it’s a nonprofit that offers training, mentorship, and equipment to newcomers who might otherwise find the mountains intimidating or out of reach.

For many, the climb begins long before the trailhead.

“When I first moved to Canada, I was starting fresh,” said Leonard Maglalang, President of K8 and one of the climbers featured in the film. “I saw K8 as an opportunity to build relationships and be part of a community that shares my passion for the outdoors.”

K8’s mission goes beyond summits. “Our mantra is simple,” Maglalang said. “‘If you have knowledge, you also have the responsibility to share it.’ That’s what keeps our community growing.”

The Meaning of Ahon

The word Ahon captures the emotional and physical effort behind both immigration and mountaineering, rising one step at a time. Pacis didn’t know the term until it was suggested by K8 co-founder Levi Ramos, but it instantly clicked.

“It symbolizes the uphill journey immigrants face when they start over,” she said. “It’s also about lifting others up. No one reaches the top alone.”

That theme runs through every frame of the film, from prayers whispered before a climb to moments of laughter over shared Filipino food in the backcountry. “Those moments perfectly embody the purpose of making Ahon,” Pacis said. “They show how culture connects people, even in the harshest environments.”

Climbing Together

In one of the film’s most memorable sequences, the team attempts Howse Peak, one of the most challenging climbs in the Rockies. The conditions are harsh, the weather unpredictable, and time is short. Yet the camaraderie keeps them going.

“As a leader, making decisions that affect the group can be challenging,” Maglalang said. “We plan for safety, but the mountains are unpredictable. When a climb doesn’t go as planned, we learn from it and come back stronger.”

That mindset defines both the club and the film. “For K8, the true summit isn’t just reaching the top,” he said. “It’s returning safely and sharing that experience with others.”

Representation in the Mountains

Filipino Canadians are rarely represented in outdoor or adventure films, something Pacis was determined to change. Ahon was produced with an entirely Filipino-Canadian cast and crew, a first for a mountain film of this scale.

“I didn’t see myself represented in the film industry or in the outdoors,” Pacis said. “From the beginning, it was my vision to create a film that might inspire other Filipino Canadians to embrace the mountains or filmmaking because they see that it’s possible.”

That representation extends beyond the screen. K8’s members bring their own culture into every climb, sharing traditional food, jokes, and songs along the trail. “We bring our joy, our resilience, and our spirit to everything we do,” Maglalang said. “The mountains feel different when you’re surrounded by that energy.”

A Story Rooted in Gratitude

Pacis describes the experience of making Ahon as both creative and personal. “Each film teaches you something new, but this one truly hit home,” she said. “It gave me a chance to connect more deeply with my culture, to speak my language, and to learn a different way of being in the mountains.”

That different way values connection over conquest. “With K8, community takes priority over completing an ascent,” she said. “It’s about learning and giving back, not sending hard.”

For Maglalang, the film’s release marks both a milestone and a reminder. “It’s a dream come true to see our story told,” he said. “But more than that, I hope people understand that Ahon isn’t just about Filipino immigrants climbing. It’s about culture, resilience, and community.”

Why the Banff Premiere Matters

For Pacis and K8, premiering Ahon at the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival feels like coming full circle. The film was shot across Alberta’s peaks, made by locals, and will now debut in front of the very community that inspired it.

“It’s an absolute honour,” Pacis said. “And even more special to do so in the mountains we call home.”

For those who have ever felt the pull of the Rockies or the push to find belonging in a new place, Ahon offers both a window and a mirror. It’s a film about climbing, yes, but also about rising together.

Catch the Film

Ahon will premiere Sunday, November 9 at 10 AM at the Max Bell Auditorium during the Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival. The film will also be available to stream online from November 12 to November 23.

Also premiering at this year’s Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival, Will Gadd’s “Wall of Walls” follows the 58-year-old ice climber as he discovers and ascends a wild, hidden ice wall just 50 kilometres from Canmore. Read more here.