Statement of Unity for a Provincial Filipino Cultural Centre and Mabuhay House Society
We, the undersigned representatives of the Filipino community in British Columbia, reaffirm our united call for a provincial Filipino cultural centre and our support for Mabuhay House Society as the provincial government’s partner in this historic effort.
Like many other immigrant communities, ours is a diverse one. There are almost 175,000 Filipinos across BC and we are among the fastest growing communities in Canada. We speak more than one hundred languages, we occupy a range of professions, we hail from different parts of the Philippines and are interested in a broad range of issues and sports activities. The many community organizations we formed over the decades reflect this. But after hard lessons from previous attempts, there is one effort that truly unites us: the work to create a provincial Filipino cultural centre.
We recognize this is a monumental task requiring one dedicated organization with the capacity and skills needed to manage and move the project forward to completion and beyond.
As such, we welcomed the announcement about the provincial government’s commitment to a Filipino cultural centre that will be developed in coordination with the Mabuhay House Society.
We have a generational opportunity before us. We know it is the result of the hard work of the many, many leaders and organizations that previously advocated for it.
We fully support Mabuhay House Society as they navigate the work ahead with all of us as their community partners. We know the goal is as important as the journey. And the dream is not simply the opening of a building - it is the opening of a home. A place that anchors us and that can serve to empower and build connections with the many other cultural and indigenous communities that form the tapestry of our province. And that has the capacity to continue to operate and flourish for generations to come.
In closing, we the undersigned represent members of our community with deep roots and extensive experience in organizing and advocating for our community. We reiterate our unified clamor for a Filipino cultural centre and support for Mabuhay House Society.
Together with our community, all orders of government and various stakeholders - we know this long-standing dream will be achieved so that a legacy for all is realized.
Signatories
Adamson University Alumni Association | Rudy Antonio, President
Alpha Kappa Rho Vancouver Council | Mark Jayson Rivera, Grand Skeptron
Alpha Phi Omega Alumni Association of BC | Gene Generoso, President
ANCOP Canada | Chris Canilanza, Area Governance
Association of Basistans in Metro Vancouver | Alfredo Frias, President
Ateneo Alumni Association of BC | Ricky Cruz, President
Barangay Burnaby | Carlos Morales, Barangay Captain
Barangay Fort St. John Society | Alan Yu, Founder and Chairman
Batangas Club of BC | Fe Brucal, President
BCPinoyMD | Roxanne Cecilia, Founder; Joyce Navarro
Benguet Society of British Columbia| Bruce Ganase, President
BIBAK | Meredith Tayaban, President
Bike For Life, Filipino in Richmond Support Team | Zenia Grace Simeros, Member / Vice-President
Burnaby Filipino Cultural Society | Iane Penala, President
CIASI-Samahang Ilokano 61892 Community Society | Edilberto Abenojar, President
Circulo Pampangueno Association of British Columbia | Salve Dayao, President;' Arman Arellano, Past President; Jo Ann Belen, Marketing Director; Renato Nicolas, Assistant Auditor
Enkanto Explorers | Vinzent Po, Administrator
Fil Co-operative One Housing Society | Jody Flores, President
Filipino Canadian Construction Society | Diosdado Mendoza, President; Amado Mercado, Founding President
Filipino International Student Association (UCW) | Orsa Lia Sanuco, President
Filipino K-pop Community in Vancouver Mainland | Carlawynji Daquigan, Co-organizer
Filipino Seniors Club of BC | Carlos Castro Aguasin, President; Angelita Helen Dela Rosa, Past President; Marius Alparaque, 1st Vice President
Foliage Filipino | Maycko Macapugas, Founder
Forever Young Seniors Society | Merlina Fayusal, President
GABRIELA BC | Maki Cairns
Goldenaires Friendship Association of BC | Nelia Asutilla, President
Grupo Ilocano Association of BC | Ana Napieralski, President
Himig Kabataan Cultural Society | Bea Correa, Founder and Director
Inarte Society | Lita Cabal, Director
Inter City Sports Association | Genaro Tambogon, President
International Heritage Cultural Center Society | Catalina Arguzon, President; Marius Alparaque, Vice President
Kalinga Families Group | Roselyn Garcia, Group Chair Representative
Kalinga-Ilocano Seniors Advocate | Maria Mercedes Estella, Group Representative
KALIPI South Peace Filipino-Canadian Association In Dawson Creek / Dawson Creek | Gregorio Apolonio, President / Councillor
Kathara Pilipino Indigenous Arts Society Collective | Sobey Wing, President
Knights of Columbus BC & Yukon State Council | Herbert Yang, State Deputy
Knights of Columbus Council #4680 | Gregorio Apolonio, Grand Knight
Kwantlen Polytechnic University Pinoy Community | Dennis Saavedra, Interim President
National Association of Mapua Alumni of Canada (BC Chapter) | Lissa Bentley, President; Dexter Tarampi
National Pilipino Canadian Cultural Centre | Leonora Angeles, Founder & President
New Westminster Philippine Festival Society | Salvacion Dayao, President
One Filipino Cooperative of BC | Vivian Paule, President
Pamilyang Bikolnon | Don Vasquez, Founder
Philippine Bagong Pag-Asa Society of BC | Mary Joy Neri, President
Philippine Bicol Association of BC | Robert Azana, President
Philippine Cultural Arts Society of BC (PhilCAS) | Rachel Tara Ambrosio, President; Gillian Lamoly, Executive Director
Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants - Vancouver Chapter | Ernesto Ong, Treasurer
Philippine Nurses Association of British Columbia (PNABC) | Clifford Belgica, President
Philippines Historama Society of BC | Carmelita Tapia, Chairman
Pi Sigma/Delta Vancouver Paragons | Jah Palibino
Pinoy 4X4 BC | Marissa Joy Doria, Moderator; Tim Toledo; Michael Gorospe, Moderator / Administrator
Pinoy Canada BC | Carmela Del Rosario, President
Pinoy Festival Alliance | Ellen Raquepo, Director
Pinoy Pride Vancouver Society | Virgil Hilario, Co-Chairperson
Pinoy Velo Racing | Rob Cordero, President
PSON (Pinoy Softroading Overland Nation) | Andy Rodriguez, Administrator; Neila Melchor; Henry Rocapor; Michael Gorospe
Rotary Club of Vancouver Mountainview | Bert Parungao, President
Sambayanang Pilipino | Peter Siglos, President / Director
San Fabian Group Society of BC | Ester Cheer, President
Sanchez Miranians of BC, Canada | Roseller Abad, Adviser
Seniors Brigade Society of BC | Carmencita Orquiola, Founder / Adviser
Simon Fraser University - Filipino Students Association | Jazmin Erice, President
Sinaitenians of BC | Darwin Ines, President
Sliced Mango Collective | Anne Claire Baguio, Co-Founder
Society of Filipino Engineers | Alvin Aggari, President
South East Asian Cultural Heritage Society | William Canero, President
Surrey Philippine Independence Day Society | Narima dela Cruz, Founder & President
Triskelions Grand Fraternity and Sorority (BCRC) | Belindo Ablaza, Director of Membership
United Architects of the Philippines-British Columbia Chapter | Reynold Orogo
United Filipino Canadian Associations of BC | Anicia Miles, President; Joel Castillo, Founding President
University of Victoria Philippine Community (UPC) | Michael Angelo Caparas, Chairman
Vancouver Hinirang Eagles Club Socio-Civic Organization of BC | James Mark Villamayor, Club President; Chito Vasquez, Club Vice President
Victoria Filipino Canadian Association | Teena Santiago, 1st Vice President
Victoria Filipino Canadian Caregivers Association | Annette Beech, President
Zambales Society in BC | Chona Tomelden, President