Mabuhay House Society Confirms Non-Endorsement of 1940 Main Street
Mabuhay House Society Responds to Vancouver City Mayor’s Motion and Confirms Non-Endorsement of 1940 Main Street Filipino Cultural Centre Proposal
VANCOUVER, BC — Mabuhay House Society has formally notified the City of Vancouver, through a letter sent on November 12, 2025, that it is not endorsing the proposed motion to establish a Filipino Cultural Centre at 1940 Main Street.
While the society commends and thanks Mayor Ken Sim, Councillor Lenny Zhou, and the City of Vancouver for their visible support of the Filipino community, Mabuhay House Society has concerns regarding duplication and fragmentation of efforts, lack of planning for governance and accountability, and red flags in the process and timing of the motion. The proposal also does not align with the timeline and framework of the Provincial Filipino Cultural Centre (PFCC) initiative, developed in partnership with the Government of British Columbia. MHS has formally notified the City of Vancouver, through a letter sent on November 12, 2025, that it is abstaining from supporting the proposed motion.
Since 2023, MHS has been working closely with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport (TACS) to advance the provincially recognized, community-led process to establish the PFCC. This initiative—formally endorsed by over 90 Filipino organizations through the Unity Statement—is guided by principles of inclusion, transparency, and accountability, ensuring that the future Centre reflects the collective voice of Filipinos across British Columbia.
As stewards of this historic initiative, Mabuhay House Society does not endorse the motion proposing the development of a Filipino Cultural Centre at 1940 Main Street for the following reasons:
Concerns with the 1940 Main Street Motion
Duplication and Fragmentation of Efforts
The proposed motion risks dividing community efforts and duplicating the ongoing provincial work already in its feasibility phase. Creating a city-led project outside the established provincial process undermines years of collaboration, capacity-building, and investment supported by the Province.
Governance and Accountability Gaps
The motion lacks a clear governance plan, defined ownership, and transparent management structures. It also excludes broad community representation from the 90 organizations that endorsed the provincial process.
Process and Timing Red Flags
The rapid advancement of the motion raises procedural concerns, including the absence of public financial transparency, undefined partnership terms, and potential conflicts of interest related to leases or advisory roles.
“Mabuhay House Society is fully supportive of the idea of a Provincial Filipino Cultural Centre,” said Lester de Guzman, Chair of Mabuhay House Society. “Our Society has been working with the Province since the initial engagement stage, and we are now ready to proceed with the feasibility study. While this motion may fast-track the process, it raises concerns regarding planning, governance, ownership, and accountability. We continue to consult with the community through our Council of Leaders, and many members share these same concerns. Transparency and inclusion are important in any development of a cultural centre, and community trust is at stake due to our history with similar attempted projects. Together, we build one Filipino Cultural Centre for all—rooted in transparency, unity, and community service.”
MHS remains fully committed to a unified, transparent, and accountable process for developing a single Filipino Cultural Centre that represents all Filipino communities across the province. The Society continues to welcome collaboration with the City of Vancouver in alignment with the provincially led process and the community’s established timeline.
About Mabuhay House Society
Established in 2021, Mabuhay House Society is a registered non-profit society working closely with the provincial government to develop a provincial Filipino cultural centre that will be an inclusive, intercultural, and intergenerational space that Filipino Canadians can call home, where everyone is welcome. Mabuhay House Society is paving the way for the Filipino connection and community to thrive in BC. Visit our website at mabuhayhouse.ca.
About Mabuhay House Society
Established in 2021, Mabuhay House Society is a registered non-profit society working closely with the provincial government to develop a provincial Filipino cultural centre that will be an inclusive, intercultural, and intergenerational space that Filipino Canadians can call home, where everyone is welcome. Mabuhay House Society is paving the way for the Filipino connection and community to thrive in BC. Visit our website at mabuhayhouse.ca.
Mabuhay House Society Board of Directors
Lester De Guzman, Chair
Rudy Antonio, Vice Chair and Council of Leaders Co-Chair
Khristine Cariño, Secretary and Council of Leaders Co-Chair
Angelie Caspillo, Treasurer and Finance and Business Development Chair
Sammie Jo Rumbaua, Immediate Past Chair and HR Committee Chair
Josephine Rose Fard, Engagement Committee Chair
Hussein Elhagehassan, Technical Development Committee Chair
William Canero
Amado Mercado
Dexter Tarampi
For more info:
Lester de Guzman
Chair, Mabuhay House Society
chair@mabuhayhouse.ca
778-960-5988