Posted by ReyFort Media
PRESS RELEASE: Mabuhay House
Vancouver, BC – September 21, 2025
In a major development for British Columbia’s Filipino community, Mabuhay House Society has publicly reaffirmed its leadership role in developing the long-envisioned Provincial Filipino Cultural Centre, calling on all Filipino-Canadians to unite behind a single, community-led effort backed by the Province of British Columbia.
This comes in response to growing confusion sparked by the recent emergence of multiple groups claiming to pursue similar cultural centre projects in Metro Vancouver. While these initiatives have led to questions among kababayans and government partners, Mabuhay House is drawing a firm line: “One Voice, One Centre.”
“This centre is a provincial institution — not just a local project — built by, with, and for Filipinos across British Columbia,” the Board of Directors stated. “We have been working closely with the provincial government since 2022 to make this a reality.”
Decades in the Making, Now Closer Than Ever
The proposed cultural centre aims to celebrate and preserve Filipino heritage, arts, language, and history for future generations. More than 80 Filipino organizations across BC have formally expressed their support for the Mabuhay House-led initiative, making it the most widely endorsed and provincially integrated cultural project for the Filipino diaspora in the region.
Mabuhay House’s leadership includes:
- Three official roundtables with Filipino community leaders and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport since 2022
- Monthly planning meetings with the provincial government
- A fourth high-level roundtable scheduled for October 2025
- A comprehensive capital project plan grounded in government timelines and community consultation
This level of provincial engagement has positioned Mabuhay House as the primary liaison of the cultural centre’s development.
More Than a Building: A Movement of Bayanihan
Beyond infrastructure, Mabuhay House is focused on building capacity within the Filipino community. Through programs such as the Hub and Spoke model, the Council of Leaders consultations, Filipino Youth Mental Health Symposium, and Hawak Kamay initiatives, the organization has laid the foundation to ensure the long-term sustainability of the centre.
“We are not just planning a building. We are building a legacy that reflects our values and our collective identity,” said Lester De Guzman, Chair of Mabuhay House Society. “This is a centre for all Filipinos — in every corner of BC.”
Call for Unity: Rejecting Fragmentation
While the statement from Mabuhay House does not directly name other groups, the timing of the announcement coincides with news that the City of Vancouver has recently endorsed a new organization, the Filipino Legacy Society, which is also seeking to establish a cultural centre. The overlap in purpose has led to public confusion and concern about duplication of efforts, resource competition, and potential division within the community.
Without naming names, Mabuhay House’s message is clear: “We do not stand alone.” Their coalition of 80+ organizations and direct government partnerships set them apart in credibility, scale, and process.
What’s Next?
The statement ends with a passionate appeal to the Filipino community:
“Stand with Mabuhay House Society. Urge the Provincial Government to carry this project forward and invest in the landmark our community has long called for. Through bayanihan, we will build not just a centre, but a true home.”
As momentum builds and government timelines move forward, the Filipino community in BC faces a pivotal choice: remain united behind a provincially integrated, community-led vision — or risk fragmentation at a historic moment of opportunity.
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For more information or to get involved, visit: mabuhayhouse.ca
ReyFort Media 
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