ABOUT US
Filipino BC is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering the Filipino diaspora and strengthening connections with the wider community. Rooted in the values of kapwa (shared humanity) and bayanihan (mutual support), we celebrate Filipino culture while delivering programs that fill service gaps, advocate for equity, and care for families.
At the heart of our work is the dream of building the Filipino Community and Cultural Centre—a lasting home where traditions are preserved, culture is celebrated, and care extends beyond our own community.
We are more than an organization; we are a collective shaped by heritage, resilience, and a deep commitment to one another. Guided by cultural pride and a spirit of solidarity, we bring people together, uplift those in need, and build bridges across communities. In doing so, we honour the legacy of those who came before us while creating new pathways for future generations to flourish with dignity, belonging, and pride.
OUR MISSION
Filipino BC strengthens Filipino-Canadian identity by celebrating our culture, practising the values of kapwa (shared humanity) and bayanihan (mutual support), and responding to the needs of our community. We deliver programs and services that bridge gaps, advocate for equity, and extend care to the Filipino and wider communities we live in.
OUR VISION
To create inclusive and enriching programs, services, and spaces that preserve Filipino heritage, celebrate culture, and nurture community. Through building a Filipino Community and Cultural Centre, we are laying a foundation of resilience, belonging, and pride that will carry forward for generations.
PILLARS OF WORK
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EDUCATION
Education is a bridge—connecting Filipinos to our heritage while also inviting others to learn and engage with our culture. Through workshops, storytelling, and accessible resources, we foster understanding and pride. We also gather research and data that reveal the needs of our community, providing a strong foundation for advocacy and future programs.
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ADVOCACY
We stand alongside our community by raising issues that matter and pushing for fairness in the places where decisions are made. Guided by lived experience, our advocacy ensures Filipino-Canadians are seen, heard, and valued.
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CARE
Care is not just what we do, it is who we are. From practical supports to moments of solidarity, we respond to the needs of individuals and families with compassion. In extending care, we cultivate resilience and belonging for all.
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CULTURE
Culture gives us roots and direction. Through the arts, traditions, and collective expression, we sustain Filipino identity while sharing its richness with others. These practices deepen pride in our heritage and keep it alive for generations to come.
Why Are We Doing This Work?
Prior to Lapu Lapu Day, Filipino BC already had been working in the frontlines providing community programming to support racialized communities who are too often left to navigate complex, unresponsive systems on their own.
We are doing this work because we know our community—intimately, deeply, and with care.
The events of April 26 only deepened these long-standing gaps. The crisis disproportionately impacted Filipino, Latino, and other communities of colour—many of whom continue to echo the same concerns: they were not seen, not heard, and not adequately supported. These are not new problems.
There is a dire need for an ecosystem of care grounded in cultural understanding, trauma-informed practices, and community trust. Many community leaders and organizations have long been building this kind of support. Filipino BC is committed to standing with them to strengthen and sustain these culturally rooted systems together.
Our Values
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We value the wisdom of our elders and the stories of our past, knowing they guide the path forward. We empower and encourage the next generation to lead with confidence while staying rooted in our shared heritage. We welcome Filipinos from all walks of life—those born and raised in Canada, those who have immigrated, and those with diverse experiences in the diaspora—because we know every story is Filipino enough.
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The Filipino community is rich with diversity, shaped by many cultures and experiences. We also recognize that our work is connected to the broader struggles and successes of other communities of colour. We rise by rising together—building genuine partnerships, working alongside non-Filipino allies, and standing in solidarity with those who share our vision for justice and equity. At the heart of this work, we ensure that Filipinos are not only present but leading, representing our voices in decision-making spaces, and contributing to collective change that benefits everyone.
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Kapwa is about recognizing our shared humanity and the ways our lives are connected. It guides us to work with empathy, respect, and care, knowing that what we do for others also shapes our own wellbeing. By valuing kapwa, we create spaces where dignity and understanding are at the heart of community.
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Bayanihan is the spirit of working together so that no challenge is carried alone. It’s about unity, cooperation, and stepping in to support one another when it’s needed most. By living out bayanihan, we show that our strength as a community comes from collective action and shared responsibility.
BY FILIPINOS,
FOR EVERYONE
WHAT DO WE MEAN BY FILIPINOS, FOR EVERYONE?
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Too often, public programs and institutions meant to support communities of colour are built with little to no involvement from the very people they’re meant to serve.
When communities are excluded—or barely included—the realities of their needs go unmet.
Representation isn’t a checkbox. It’s essential for building systems that work.
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Filipinos are the third largest immigrant community in British Columbia, with over 250,000 people—and expected to grow to over 1 million in the next decade. We are deeply embedded in the care economy, showing up in healthcare, education, and front-line services.
Yet despite our presence, there is barely any social infrastructure or institutional capacity that supports our community in BC.
We care for others—but have long been left out of systems of care for ourselves.
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At Filipino BC, we are a group of professionals with deep community roots and cross-sector expertise—from healthcare and education to policy, organizing, and frontline care.
Each member brings lived experience, leadership, and a commitment to our communities’ strength and success.
Guided by a shared vision, we work in coalition with other Filipino organizations to ensure our community is not only included—but shaping the solutions.
Working together to foster integrity, innovation, and cultural responsiveness in community programs.
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Our work begins with Filipinos—but it doesn’t end there. We must be grounded in solidarity and shared progress.
The systems we challenge and the solutions we build are designed with all racialized and equity-deserving communities in mind.
Because the work isn’t just for some of us—it’s for all of us. We cannot rise without us all rising.
We are committed to transparency and accountability.
Filipino BC will provide all financial disclosures as required by law. The fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31, which means audited financial statements for the 2025 and 2026 fiscal years are not yet available.