FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 12, 2024
Vancouver, B.C. – On June 5, 2024, over 50 Filipino youth and seniors came together for the launch of Mabuhay House Society’s "Hawak Kamay – A Filipino Intergenerational Initiative" to support our community members in completing the provincial Filipino cultural centre Vision survey.
This event invites individuals of all ages to come together and engage in meaningful conversations about the needs and priorities of our community towards a provincial Filipino cultural centre. Participants had the unique opportunity to contribute to the provincial Filipino cultural centre Vision survey, which aims to build a designated space to shape the future of Filipino cultural representation in the province.
"We are overwhelmed by the incredible turnout and the enthusiastic participation of our community members," said Sammie Jo Rumbaua, Board Chair of Mabuhay House Society. "Hawak Kamay, which means holding hands in the Filipino language, truly embodied the spirit of unity and collaboration we envisioned. Together, we have taken a significant step towards realizing a vibrant future for our cultural representation in British Columbia."
Event Highlights:
Community Survey Participation: Attendees actively participated in the provincial Filipino cultural centre Vision survey, sharing valuable feedback and ideas that will help guide the development of a future cultural centre in the province.
Vision Survey Ambassadors: Youth ambassadors played a crucial role in the event, assisting participants with the survey and ensuring that every voice was heard. Their dedication and enthusiasm contributed significantly to the event's success.
Intergenerational Discussions: The evening featured engaging discussions that bridged generational gaps, allowing participants to share personal stories, experiences, and insights about Filipino culture and identity. These conversations highlighted the rich diversity and shared heritage within the Filipino community.
Open to All: The event welcomed individuals from various backgrounds, reflecting the inclusive spirit of Mabuhay House Society. Attendees of Filipino descent and those interested in learning more about Filipino culture contributed to the evening's dynamic atmosphere.
“We hope to reduce the barriers and get more community members to complete the official provincial survey to start building the provincial Filipino community centre in B.C.” Sammie Jo added. Mabuhay House Society will host more Hawak Kamay initiatives to provide access and additional avenues for our members to share their voices and thoughts.”
Mabuhay House Society extends its heartfelt gratitude to all participants, volunteers, and supporters who made this event successful. Your contributions are invaluable to our mission of celebrating and preserving Filipino heritage. Your voice matters; together, we can create a vision representing our diverse and dynamic Filipino community.
Getting Involved:
Support the provincial Filipino cultural centre and ensure your voice is heard by completing the survey at mabuhayhouse.ca/visionsurvey.
Those looking to give back to our community and make a meaningful impact should consider becoming PFCC Vision Survey Ambassadors. Assist our kababayans in completing the survey and help shape the future of our cultural representation by volunteering at mabuhayhouse.ca/volunteer.
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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.
For more info:
Sammie Jo Rumbaua
Board Chair, Mabuhay House Society
chair@mabuhayhouse.ca
604-334-1800