Community leaders quit Filipino BC

Posted by ReyFort Media

Three prominent leaders in the community have left Filipino BC.

Antonio Ortega, Lina Vargas and Concepcion “Ching” Colobong have resigned as directors of the organization.

The departures come a few months after the April 26, 2025 tragedy that struck the Lapu-Lapu festival, a Vancouver cultural celebration organized by Filipino BC with the backing of Mable Elmore, a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) of B.C.

As a side note, Filipino BC chair RJ Aquino revealed at a recent community forum that his group has not been in contact with Elmore since June 2025.

As MLA, Elmore represents Vancouver-Kensington, where the ill-fated Lapu-Lapu festival was held. She is also the lone Filipino member of the provincial parliament.

Ortega, Vargas and Colobong have served as Filipino BC’s organic link to the broad Filipino community.

In his resignation letter, Ortega said that his membership and participation with Filipino BC “no longer align” with his “personal values and principles”.

Ortega is the president of the Cebuano Society of Canada.

Vargas wrote in her resignation letter that it’s the “right time” for her to leave the nonprofit.

Vargas heads the Diversity and Inclusion Support Group of B.C.

Colobong, for her part, is a longtime advocate of the community and has served on many grassroots organizations.

Colobong is currently active with the Seniors Intercultural Society.