Pinoy community rejoices at Filipino Cultural Centre and Hotel’s site-unveiling milestone

By Nash Villena, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
December 29, 2025

UNVEILED. The Filipino community, supporters, and leaders gathered at the site-unveiling event on Sunday, where the Filipino cultural centre and hotel project is set to rise at 1940 Main St. and 143 East 3rd Avenue in Vancouver, British Columbia (Dec. 28, 2025). (Photo Courtesy: Janice Lozano)

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Members of the Filipino community, supporters, and leaders alike gather at the Filipino cultural centre and hotel project’s site-unveiling event held at 1940 Main St. and 143 East 3rd Avenue in Mount Pleasant on Sunday.

Led by the project’s main proponent, the Filipino Legacy Society (FLS), the gathering aims to promote the milestone that the Filipino long-held dream has achieved upon the city council’s approval of the motion on Dec. 10.

“One step closer to the long-awaited Filipino Cultural Centre. This site represents more than land. It represents a milestone built by community voices, volunteers, elders, youth, and advocates who never stopped believing,” FLS said on a Facebook post. 

“The Filipino Cultural Centre will be a place of belonging, learning, creativity, and connection not just for Filipinos, but for [a] broader community.”

(Photo Courtesy: Janice Lozano)

Among those notably in attendance at the event were B.C. NDP MLA Mable Elmore, and Vancouver city councillors Sarah Kirby-Yung and Mike Klassen, who expressed their support during the motion’s voting.

Elmore, a long-time advocate for the construction of a Filipino cultural centre in the province, said she’s glad that the community’s vision is now coming into reality through the proposal by the FLS.

“I am so happy to see the community today celebrate its hard-fought victory in advancing its long-dreamt-of Filipino Cultural Centre at the development’s likely home at 1940 Main Street. Thank you Vancouver councillors Sarah Kirby-Yung and Mike Klassen for your presence and steadfast support,” Elmore said.

(Photo Courtesy: mikeklassen/Instagram)

Klassen shared on Instagram to express his fervent support for the project, describing the motion’s passage as “a powerful step toward a long‑awaited home for culture, connection, and celebration.”

“Huge appreciation to the Filipino Legacy Society for leading this vision, and to champions like MLA Mable Elmore for their dedication. Great to stand alongside my Council colleague Sarah Kirby‑Yung in support of this milestone for the community,” Klassen said.

“Vancouver is stronger because of our Filipino families, leaders, and heritage — honouring the past, shaping the future,” he added.

To recall, the motion, co-submitted by Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and City Councillor Lenny Zhou, was passed in early December after receiving seven votes in favour, while four members of the council abstained.

The proposed cultural centre and hotel project, to be built at two sites, will feature spaces for language learning, a gallery, and 500 hotel rooms, with local real estate development firm Port Living leading the massive project.