June 1, 2026 - On Friday, May 15, I attended the 25th anniversary celebration of the Bayanihan Community Centre to hear the remarkable story of a community that dreamed of having a home away from home.
As soon as I walked in, I was greeted by familiar and friendly faces. During the speeches, I perused the sky-blue program which chronicled how Filipinos established roots in Victoria with the creation of Victoria Filipino Canadian Association (VFCA),Victoria Filipino Canadian Caregivers Association (VFCCA) and FFCSA and eventually the Bayanihan Community Centre.
Members of the Filipino community in Victoria, including the presidents of the Victoria Filipino Canadian Association, the Victoria Filipino Canadian Seniors Association, the Bayanihan Cultural and Housing Society, and the Victoria Caregivers Association pose with City of Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto and Philippine Consul General Gina Jamoralin (centre) at the program marking the 25th anniversary of the Bayanihan Community Centre.
Dignitaries and special guests who honored the celebration with their presence and support included Consul General Gina Jamoralin of the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver, Member of Parliament Jeff Kibble (Cowichan–Malahat–Langford), Member of Legislative Assembly Diana Gibson (Oak Bay–Gordon Head), City of Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto and councillor Krista Loughton, former chief Del Manak and Michael Brown of the Victoria Police Department, District of Saanich councillors Marg Gardiner, Zac de Vries and Dave Thompson.
The contributions of pioneers, former leaders, volunteers, and the current Board of Directors were also acknowledged.
A personal note: since moving to Victoria from Quebec City, Filipino culture has been an integral part of my life. This began with Marcelina Baldauf (VFCA’s founding president) who opened my eyes to the experiences of immigrants and introduced me to countless Filipinos. When I shared my intention to write a book about them, she encouraged me to visit the Philippines to experience the world they had left behind—though never its spirit.
During my travels there, I connected with the younger generation by visiting schools, riding in jeepneys, going from home to home during fiestas, and even judging local beauty pageants. On Friday, I was reminded of the same qualities I had witnessed in the country: generosity, patience, and a zest for life.
Melissa Badua and Mike Caparas, presidents of the BCHS and the VFCA, respectively, not only expressed gratitude to all the visionaries and trailblazers, past and present, but also showcased how the community is looking forward through creative productions and events—dance, music, and theatre—as well as cross-cultural dialogue and a growing presence on social media.
Bayanihan is clearly in good hands. On Friday, everyone was celebrating, and I joined in the joy. I am certain that Marcelina and other pioneers who have passed away were smiling down on us.
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