Vancouver proclaims November as Bonifacio Day
Saturday, 28 November 2009
VANCOUVER - November 30 is Andres Bonifacio Day and it’s not just in the Philippines anymore. The City of Vancouver pro claimed November 30 as Bonifa cio Day to commemorate the Fili pino hero’s role in helping achieve independence for the country. In a simple ceremony held at a gathering of the Filipino Cana dian New Era Society at the Capri Hall on November 22, Councillor Heather Deal presented the proc lamation signed by Mayor Gregor Robertson to the Filipino commu nity.
Deal said the proclamation was in recognition of the Filipino-Ca nadian community’s significant contribution to the social, eco nomic and cultural development of Vancouver. She adds the city wanted to join Filipino Canadians as they commemorate the legacy of Bonifacio, and how his ideals complement that of Canadian so ciety as well.
“The democracy that’s repre sented by Bonifacio on the work that he did in the Philippines is very important to us here because that’s the same spirit of indepen dence and democracy that we have here in Canada. It’s not just about the wonderful culture of the Philippines here, but it’s about the fact that Bonifacio himself repre sents the same kind of things that we represent here in Canada,” said Deal.
It may not be a National Holi day like in the Philippines but Pi noys are more than happy with the proclamation. Community leader Rey Umlas says the proclamation is a sign that the current city government is working hard to have an inclusive community. “This is the first time so far in the history of the Fil-Canadian community that the city acknowledged and recognized how valuable it is, the culture and presence of the Fil-community..in recognizing Andres Bonifacio and for that we’re very grateful,” said Umlas.But remembering who Bonifa cio is and what his role was in Phil ippine history does not end with having the proclamation alone. Umlas added it is the responsibility of Pinoys here in Canada to make sure that Bonifacio’s legacy con tinues, especially to young Filipino Canadians who were born and raised here.
“The responsibility falls on our shoulder to remind them that without the heroes like Bonifacio, the freedom that we enjoy will not become to fruition. It’s very im portant to look back to who we are as a community. Maski ma gulo sa Pilipinas, iisang tao,iisang bayan,iisang puso,” added Umlas.
Filipino Canadian New Era Soci ety President Perla de Peralta gave a short message on Bonifacio’s role as one of the Philippines’ most prominent heroes. She was grate ful to the City of Vancouver for choosing the society’s gathering in presenting the Proclamation.De Peralta received the proc lamation certificate at the event, which also marked the the birthday celebration of the group members Rose Tedlie, Hipolito Abellera, Jun Cotin, Antonio Macaraeg, Myrna Reginaldo, Erlinda Baldos, Flora de Leon, Marciano Macasaet, Vir ginia Ferrer, Louie Hamilton, Es ther Viaje, and Leonarda Sopoco.
Peralta’s group was founded seven years ago and has more or less 200 members. Deal was accompanied in the program by fel low city councillor Geoff Meggs.
Rey Umlas joins mayor’s immigration group
Friday, 27 November 2009 15:01
By Geoff Meggs Councillor, City Of Vancouver
Vancouver’s Filipino-Canadian community will have a strong new voice at City Hall with the appointment of Rey Umlas, rep resenting the Filipino Canadian New Era Society, to the Mayor’s Working Group on Immigration. In an organizational meeting Nov. 6 at City Hall, Mayor Gregor Robertson thanked the work ing group’s participants for their time and emphasized the prior ity he places on “getting some momentum on issues facing our immigrant communities.”
With a majority of the city’s popu lation now from immigrant roots, most from south Asia, it’s critical for the city council to have a direct understanding of the issues facing immigrants and how city govern ment can help, Robertson said. “How are immigration policies af fecting us? Is there more we can do to support immigrant services? Can the city provide more leader ship as an employer?” Robertson asked.“These are all areas where I’d like your advice and analysis.”
Umlas joins people like Tom Av endano, of Multicultural Helping House, and a wide range of rep resentatives from organizations like MOSAIC, SUCCESS and the Vancouver Board of Trade, all with a direct interest with immi gration and settlement services, on this critical advisory body. Mayor Gregor Robertson has asked the working group, first created by Mayor Larry Campbell in 2003 and continued by Sam Sullivan, to advise him on the impact of the tem porary foreign worker program, how new Canadian immigration policies are affecting city residents, and how Vancouver can improve its support for immigrants through initiatives like mentoring programs to provide Canadian workplace experience. A related project, funded by the Province of BC, will seek to improve links and understanding among the city’s aboriginal, First Nations and immigrant communities. (I am co-chairing the work ing group along with Prof. Miu Chung Yan, a professor at UBC’s School of Social Work. Councillor George Chow is council liaison.) The working group, which expects to meet up to five times in 2010 after the Winter Olympic Games, will report to council late next year. After an initial review of the terms of reference, the working group agreed to organize its work in three areas:
- an assessment of the city’s performance as a role model for major employers in providing mentorship opportunities, access to services through programs like 311, employment equity programs and support for anti-racism initia tives;
- advice to council on how the city can act as an advocate for immigrant communities through engagement with senior govern ments, support for immigrations and expansion of affordable hous ing; and
- support for the city’s new proj ect to expand links among aboriginal, First Nations and immigrant communities, which is being led by a separate advisory committee with many of the same members who sit on the working group.
- Robertson urged the working group to consider ways the city could align its work with the Vancouver School Board and the Vancouver Park Commission to improve services to immigrants, particularly young people.
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