BC Filipino umbrella group UFCABC and Vancouver consulate map out 2027 community events
The United Filipino Canadian Associations in BC presented four flagship events for 2027 to the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver, including a Benson Flores commemoration on 11 April, while the consulate outlined plans for a first all-community picnic and a leadership course with the University of Victoria.
Officials of the United Filipino Canadian Associations in BC (UFCABC) have shared their main community plans for 2027 with the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver, according to a consulate release dated 5 November. The delegation, led by newly elected president Joel Castillo, paid a courtesy call on Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin on 22 October 2026.
UFCABC is an umbrella association of regional, social and civic Filipino-Canadian organisations in British Columbia, the consulate said. Its own website lists Castillo as president for 2026 to 2028. The delegation included officers representing groups such as the Circulo Pampangueño Association of BC, Catanduanes International, the PICPA Vancouver Chapter, Pinoy Canada Association and the United Masskara Cultural Society in BC.
UFCABC's four flagship events for 2027
| Event | Date | What the release says |
|---|---|---|
| Benson Flores Commemorative Event | 11 April 2027 | Honours Benson Flores, documented as one of the earliest Filipino settlers in Canada, who lived on Bowen Island |
| Philippine Heritage Flag Raising Ceremony | 29 May 2027 | Marks the start of June's Philippine Heritage Month celebrations |
| UFCABC Annual Gala Night | July 2027 | A formal gathering celebrating Filipino community achievements across British Columbia |
| Pista ng Bayan | 2027 | A summer community festival of Filipino food, arts and cultural performances |
UFCABC also shared a proposal to explore a commemorative stamp initiative with Canada Post as part of the Benson Flores event, the release said.
What the consulate has planned
Consul General Jamoralin shared several consulate projects where, according to the release, joint participation and broader community collaboration are envisioned. The consulate announced its inaugural all-community picnic, Sama-Sama, Salu-Salo, Saya-Saya, set for July 2027, which aims to gather Filipino groups, families and individuals across BC for a day of friendship and celebration of Philippine independence and heritage.
She also described a planned leadership programme with the Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria for current and emerging Filipino-Canadian community leaders. The release says the four-weekend hybrid course will cover grant writing, organisational governance, political participation and leadership transition, ending with a graduation ceremony at the Consulate General.
The consulate also told the delegation about a University of the Philippines Concert Chorus tour of North America in July 2027, and UFCABC expressed enthusiasm to support its Vancouver performance. Other ideas discussed included a planned Festival of Weaves showcasing traditional Philippine textiles.
Closer to home, the consul general invited the delegation's youth members to the consulate's Rizaliana Youth and Yuletide Gathering in December 2026, focused on the life and legacy of Dr. Jose Rizal. The consulate said it remains open to working with all Filipino-Canadian organisations and individuals in British Columbia and Yukon.
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- Officials of the United Filipino Canadian Associations in BC (UFCABC), led by newly elected president Joel Castillo, met Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin at the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver on 22 October 2026.
- UFCABC presented four flagship activities for 2027: a Benson Flores commemorative event on 11 April, a Philippine Heritage flag raising on 29 May, its annual gala in July and a Pista ng Bayan summer festival.
- The consulate announced its inaugural all-community picnic, Sama-Sama, Salu-Salo, Saya-Saya, set for July 2027.
- Consul General Jamoralin outlined a planned leadership course for Filipino-Canadian community leaders with the Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria.
Official sources
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