Posted by ReyFort Media
The community is lining up in support of a motion by Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim to expedite the delivery of a Filipino cultural city in the city.
Sim has indicated that he is bringing forward a motion before city council for the creation of a Filipino centre on Main Street.
The Vancouver mayor’s plan has been warmly received by the community.
Various organizations have issued statements of support, including the United Filipino Canadian Associations in BC (UFCABC).
The UFCABC represents the broadest coalition of associations in the community across British Columbia.
“This is something our community has long hoped for and discussed — and seeing it come forward means so much to us,” UFCABC president Christian Cununan said in a statement on behalf of the alliance.
The Fil-Can Cultural Heritage Society (FCCHS) has also expressed support.
“We extend our sincere thanks to Hon. Mayor Ken Sim for his thoughtful leadership, understanding, and commitment to cultural inclusivity. Your recognition of the Filipino community’s contributions and your efforts to ensure that Vancouver continues to thrive as a city of diversity and unity mean more to us than words can express,” president Dax Camarsi wrote in a letter to city council on behalf of FCCHS.
Mayor Sim’s motion also seeks to allow the community to work in coordination with project proponent Filipino Legacy Society (FLS).
The True North Hinirang Eagles Club (THEC) has also manifested support for the Vancouver mayor’s motion.
“This proposal represents a timely and meaningful recognition of the Filipino community’s longstanding contributions to the cultural, economic, and social vitality of our city,” Eagles Club president James Mark Montemayor stated in a letter to city council.
Two organizations have earlier jumpstarted the letter-writing drive to city council. These are the One Filipino Cooperative of BC and sister association, the FilCooperative One Housing Society.
In a letter to city council, OneFil Coop and One Housing recalled that they have supported previous initiatives for a Filipino cultural centre and are now doing the same with FLS plan.
“The Cultural Centre will serve as a dynamic hub for artistic expression, cultural exchange, and community engagement, enriching the lives of both residents and visitors. It will provide a dedicated space to nurture, preserve, and showcase Filipino culture while highlighting our community’s valuable contributions to Canadian society,” the groups wrote.
The Diversity and Inclusion Support Group (DSIG) led by president Lina Vargas has also expressed support for Mayor Sim’s motion.
“We believe that this Filipino cultural center will be a welcoming place for all communities, thereby helping build an inclusive city that fosters a sense of belonging for everyone,” Vargas told city council in a letter.
Mayor Sim is co-presenting his motion with Councillor Lenny Zhou.
It may be recalled that Zhou principally authored a motion more than two years ago, which expressed council’s wish to have Vancouver serve as the home of a future Filipino cultural centre.
City council approved the said motion by Zhou in a unanimous vote on June 14, 2023.
The B.C. provincial government as well as the federal government have previously pledged to help the Filipino community get its long-awaited cultural centre.
In a September 26, 2025 letter, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport (TACS) stated that the provincial government “remains committed to building a provincial Filipino Cultural Centre”.
“We understand that some local organizations are pursuing their own initiatives with local governments. These are independent efforts, and they do not change our commitment to working closely with Filipino Canadians across B.C. to shape the direction of a provincial cultural centre,” TACS also wrote, in apparent reference to the FLS project that is the subject of Mayor Sim’s motion.
The ministry also acknowledged the role of Mable Elmore, who is the only Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in B.C. of Filipino heritage.
“Mable Elmore is an important MLA representing the Filipino community. She has advocated for a Filipino cultural centre for a long time and will continue to do so in her capacity as an MLA,” TACS stated.
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