Posted by ReyFort Media
The Filipino Legacy Society (FLS) on September 13, 2026 held a preview of the Interim Filipino Cultural Centre (FCC) as part of its long-term plan to establish a permanent FCC in the city.
Located at a City of Vancouver-owned site in the atrium of the central branch of the Vancouver Public Library (205-345 Robson Street), the more than 1,500-square-foot space will serve as a temporary centre for the Filipino community.
“While Filipino Canadians are a core part of Vancouver’s diverse fabric, until now, we have not had a cultural home in our city. For decades, we have had to gather in borrowed spaces. With this interim space at Library Square, an iconic location in Vancouver, the Filipino community will have a place we can proudly call home, for now,” FLS Chair Warren Flandez said.
Through a unanimous vote by Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and members of council on July 29, 2026, the City granted the space to FLS under a nominal lease for a period of two years, subject to renewal.
In the meantime, FLS will continue to work with municipal, provincial and federal levels of government to develop a purpose-built, permanent FCC in Vancouver.
“FLS looks forward to the operational opening of the interim space soon, allowing Filipino groups to celebrate, share and showcase our heritage with the wider community, and for community-based organizations to meet and consult about programs and services needed in a permanent Filipino Cultural Centre,” Flandez said.
The IFCC is still undergoing renovations and is not yet available for use.
An official inauguration will be announced in the weeks ahead.
The provision of the space for the Interim FCC followed the historic December 10, 2025, approval by city council of a joint motion by Mayor Sim and Councillor Lenny Zhou to advance the creation of a Filipino Cultural Centre.
The Sim-Zhou motion provided that FLS will work in coordination with organizations such as, but not limited to, the United Filipino Canadian Associations in BC (UFCABC), the Filipino Seniors Club of British Columbia (FSCBC), Cebuano Society of Canada, Diversity and Inclusion Support Group of BC, and the Seniors Intercultural Society of BC.
In addition, the FLS will also with these organizations in delivering a Filipino cultural centre: One Filipino Cooperative of BC, Fil Cooperative One Housing Society, Fil-Can Cultural Heritage Society (FCCHS), North Peace Fil-Can Community Bayanihan Association, Global Multicultural Affairs Society Canada, Philippine Bagong Pag-Asa of BC, Burnaby Filipino Cultural Society, Dimasalang III International Artist Group, and True North Hinirang Eagles Club.
Previously, in 2023, Councillor Zhou principally authored a successful motion supporting a future Filipino centre in the city.
In addition, the B.C. and federal governments have made separate commitments to help deliver the project.
“We are grateful to all three levels of government in championing the decades-long dream of the Filipino community for a cultural home,” Flandez said.
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