Victoria, B.C.
New Website and Newsletter By Victoria’s Filipino-Canadian Community Relaunched
The non-profit organization Victoria-Filipino Canadian Association (VFCA) continues their work amidst the COVID-19 pandemic
Mildred German
Continuing their work amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, in uplifting the lives of Filipinos and their families in Victoria, BC, the Victoria-Filipino Canadian Association (VFCA) relaunches their new website (www.thevfca.com) and their newsletter, “Ilaw”.
To better serve the community, VCFA’s newsletter “Ilaw”, which was formerly a quarterly publication, will now be a monthly publication, on the first Monday of the month, starting April 2021. Virtual copies are available through the website, www.thevfca.com/newsletter. Hard copies are also available for pick up at the Filipino Mart (2012 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC) Tuesday-Saturday, 11am-4pm.
Established in February 10, 1969, the non-profit organization VFCA has been a pioneer in serving the Filipino community in Victoria, BC, Canada, and is affiliated with other Filipino organizations such as the Victoria Filipino-Canadian Caregivers Association (est. 1987), the Victoria Filipino-Canadian Seniors Association (est. 1988), and the Bayanihan Community Centre (est. 2001).
Although closed during this COVID-19 pandemic, the Bayanihan Community Centre, located in the unceded Coast Salish Territory of the Lekwungen and WSANEC nations, has been a gathering place for Filipino-Canadians living in, or visiting, Victoria, BC, their families, friends, and people interested in the Filipino culture. It is owned and operated by the non-profit and registered charitable organization, Bayanihan Cultural and Housing Society (BCHS) supported by VFCA, VFCCA, and VFCSA.
BCHS was hoping to celebrate the 20th year celebration, but was lifted due to the pandemic restrictions. It was 20 years ago that BCHS purchased the property that is now the Bayanihan Community Centre on April 30, 2001. More than fifty volunteers renovated the building, complete with a commercial kitchen. When the Centre completed its mortgage, paying down a $225,00 mortgage in just five years, a mortgage burning was held on January 28, 2007.
The VFCA also celebrates and promotes Filipino culture through its programs including its performance arts, media production, language programs, community engagements, and charity work. The organization also has carolling, dance classes, dance performances, and line dancing lessons, in addition to Tagalog lessons. Recently, an online petition to seek justice for the Filipino seafarers enslaved in Fiji was also activated by the VFCA, proving true to their goal in providing community support and assistance to Filipinos and anyone in need.https://philippinecanadiannews.com/canada/victorias-filipino-canadian-community-demands-justice-fo r-stranded-filipino-seafarers-in-fiji/