WORKSHOP #2:
HOW WE USE SPACE
Learning from How We Use Space
What makes a space feel welcoming, comfortable, and easy to navigate?
For our second Building Bayanihan workshop, we’ll visit the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver and explore the building together - from how we arrive and find our way, to how different rooms, gathering spaces, lighting, accessibility, and indoor and outdoor spaces shape our experience.
Along the way, we’ll share what works, what could work better, and what we would want to carry forward when imagining a future Provincial Filipino Cultural Centre.
No design experience needed. Bring your own perspective on what makes a space work for you.
In Collaboration with: Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver
📍 Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver
📅 Saturday, September 19 | 2–4 PM
🎟️ Free and open to all ages, experiences and backgrounds
SAVE THE DATE
Saturday, August 8, 2026
2-4 PM
Vancouver Public Library - Renfrew
Saturday, Sep 19, 2026
2-4 PM
Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver
OCTOBER 8, 2026
TBD
NOVEMBER 28, 2026
TBD
WHAT IS BUILDING BAYANIHAN?
Participatory design is a collaborative, iterative approach that brings the people who will actually use a space into the work of shaping it. Rather than leaving decisions to outside designers and architects, it treats community members as co-designers — sharing their lived experiences, naming the barriers and opportunities they see, and helping define what a space should be and do.
Building Bayahihan is our participatory design project for the PFCC. The community isn't just consulted — everyone is invited to be a co-designer, helping shape what this future space should be and do. Together, we’re working toward four goals:
📌 Goal #1 — Raise awareness about the PFCC project
📌 Goal #2 — Host culturally-sensitive gatherings that explore the Filipino-Canadian experience, past and present
📌 Goal #3 — Initiate and enable community archiving and documentation
📌 Goal #4 — Build channels for responsibly collecting and sharing information with the public
WORKSHOP #1:
HOW WE GATHER
Step into the role of architect and design how overlapping uses Together, we’ll explore the spaces we share (kitchens, church basements, schools, libraries, restaurants, backyards) and learn how they have made you feel like you do or don’t belong.
How do we move through a space when we gather — where do people naturally cluster, cook, dance, pray, or linger?What everyday practices and traditions should shape the design of a shared space?
Guided by the principle of participatory design, this conversation puts the people who will actually use the space at the centre of designing it — so the PFCC reflects the lived experiences of Filipino-Canadians living in BC.
📍 Vancouver Public Library – Renfrew Meeting Room
📅 Saturday, August 8 | 2–4 PM
🎟️ Free and open to all ages, experiences and backgrounds
Walk-ins welcome (RSVP is encouraged, but not required) — 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗶𝗼.https://forms.gle/BTxWCAscAuY1ZCWF9
BE PART OF…
Banig Talks
Banig Talks is a recurring series of art workshops, community conversations, and gatherings that amplify our community engagement and coming together — through conversation, gathering, art-making, and workshops. These are all explorations of our Filipino-Canadian identities. Banig Talks will be offered through both online and in-person engagement.
more info soon email bayanihan@mabuhayhouse.ca
Community Archiving
We're building an archive of Filipino-Canadian life in BC. We invite you to bring your photos and documents — whether they're photos from Filipino events, your family's immigration photos, or community photos. If you have documents or paper files related to Filipino-Canadian history, let's archive them together so we can build a Filipino-Canadian Records collection that champions our presence in BC and across Canada.
more info soon email bayanihan@mabuhayhouse.ca
JOIN US — SALI KA SA BAYANIHAN
Help us shape the future of the Provincial Filipino Cultural Centre! If you're passionate about community engagement, gathering community input, sparking conversation, or interpreting data, this is for you.
Mabuhay House Society is proud to present our 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗵𝗮𝗻: 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 ✨
Building Bayanihan is our participatory design project for the Provincial Filipino Cultural Centre (PFCC). This isn't just a consultation — every community member is invited to be a co-designer, sharing their lived experiences and helping shape what this future space should be and do.
Get involved with Building Bayanihan
Sponsor an event (funds, space, or giveaways), join our Volunteer Committee, or share ideas to help us grow —