Community Launch of Filipino Canadian Studies In, On, and Through British Columbia

By: NPC3

Vancouver, June 20, 2026. – The National Pilipino Canadian Cultural Centre (NPC3) successfully hosted the community launch of the special issue of the British Columbian Quarterly Studies (BC Studies), “Filipino Canadian Studies In, On, and Through British Columbia,” co-edited by Dr. JP Catungal and Dr. May Farrales. 

The special issue brings together work that centres Filipino Canadian voices exploring diaspora, belonging, and collective histories across BC.

The launch also announced that the annual 2025 BC Studies Prize was awarded to JP Catungal and May Farrales for their article “The Race to Indigeneity: Three Vexations in Filipinx Diasporic Politics,” published in the special issue of BC Studies no. 227 (Autumn 2025).

James Infante and Phebe Ferrer, Chair and Vice-Chair of NPC respectively, co-emceed the launch.

The community launch featured presentations and a discussion with contributors to the issue, including Dr. Catungal, Dr. Farrales, Karla Comanda, James Pangilinan, Clarissa  Cecilia   “Issa” Mijares, Dr. Dennis Gupa, and Alvin Erasga Tolentino. It also showcased performances by Filipinx Canadian artists, including poetry by Sol Diana, dance by Clarissa Cecilia “Issa” Mijares, and drag by Margaux Rita.  

UBC Prof. Nora Angeles congratulated the NPC3 for a very successful community launch of the BC Studies special issue on Filipinx in BC. She also added that “James and Phebe did a phenomenal job organizing the event with the rest of the board and other volunteers. The venue was packed and attendance was even more impressive considering the ongoing many events in the community!” Around 65 people attended the launch.

NPC3 is grateful to host this event with support from the David Lam Centre at Simon Fraser University (SFU) and the Centre for Asian Canadian Research and Engagement (ACRE) at the University of British Columbia (UBC).

Photos by Michael Y.C. Tseng.