Vancouver’s Filipino community is eagerly anticipating the vision of a new cultural center set to grace Mount Pleasant.
Earlier this month, the city council gave the green light to move forward with a high-rise tower project that will house a 500-room hotel and a much-anticipated cultural hub. This ambitious project is a collaboration between the newly established non-profit Filipino Legacy Society of Canada and developer Port Living.
During a special ceremony on Sunday, the community got a glimpse of the architectural renderings for the site, generating excitement and hope for what’s to come.
The future cultural center, slated for 1940 Main Street—currently an automotive shop—aims to be a vibrant hub offering language classes, culinary workshops, event spaces, galleries, and a remarkable collection of Filipino art, making it the largest outside the Philippines.
Warren Dean Flandez, Chair of the Legacy Society, expressed the significance of the center, stating that it would bring visibility and pride to the Filipino community. “We are stepping out of the shadows and embracing our rich heritage with humility and grace,” Flandez remarked.
Bert Monterona, a member of the Vancouver Public Art Committee, highlighted the importance of showcasing Filipino art and culture to a wider audience. He emphasized that promoting cultural identity and diversity through public art is crucial for fostering inclusivity and understanding among communities.
While many community members are thrilled about the progress towards the new center, some are voicing concerns about the city’s approach to its development. Organizations like Filipino BC and Mabuhay House, which have long championed the establishment of a Filipino cultural center, are raising issues about the fast-track nature of the project.
Lester De Guzman, Chair of Mabuhay House, expressed concerns about the lack of community engagement in the project’s development process. He emphasized the importance of proper consultation and transparency in such endeavors.
City Councilor Sarah Kirby-Yung assured that a thorough due diligence process will be followed for the proposed development in the upcoming year. She emphasized the need for fairness and evaluation of all proposals, including those from different community groups.
While the construction of the cultural center still requires planning and official approvals, the community members present at the unveiling ceremony on Sunday are filled with enthusiasm and optimism as their dream of a communal space draws closer to reality.