Vancouver City Council Grants $50,000 to Mabuhay House Society for Filipino Cultural Centre Feasibility Study
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 19, 2024
Vancouver, BC – Mabuhay House Society extends its deepest gratitude to the Vancouver City Council for approving a $50,000 funding grant towards the feasibility study for a provincial Filipino cultural centre. This significant investment underscores the City’s commitment to fostering cultural diversity and supporting community-driven initiatives.
Sammie Jo Rumbaua, Executive Director of Mabuhay House Society, commented: "We are thrilled and grateful for the generous support from the Vancouver City Council. This funding will enable us to conduct a crucial feasibility study for the provincial Filipino cultural centre, which will serve as a hub for celebrating Filipino heritage and fostering community cohesion."
The City of Vancouver has a robust tradition of supporting the arts and culture sector through various grant programs aimed at enhancing cultural spaces, promoting equity, and advancing cultural heritage preservation. The recent council report issued on April 30, 2024 highlights the City’s dedication to investing in the creativity and resilience of artists, cultural workers, and organizations, thereby enriching the local economy and cultural landscape.
According to the council report, the 2024 funding allocations amount to $3,842,420, distributed among 142 arts and cultural organizations. Critical assistance grants and lease extensions for artist studios provide additional support for cultural spaces.
"This grant not only supports our vision for a vibrant cultural centre but also aligns with Vancouver’s cultural policies and strategic directions," added Rumbaua. "Last year, the Province of British Columbia awarded $250,000 in funding for capacity building and engagement with the community. As we continue to gather input from our community through the Provincial Filipino Cultural Centre Vision Survey, the city of Vancouver is also supporting our organization on the possible next steps in planning. It reinforces the City’s commitment to cultural diversity, reconciliation, and accessibility, as outlined in frameworks like Culture|Shift, the Reconciliation Framework, and the Equity Framework."
Mabuhay House Society looks forward to leveraging this funding to continue its plans to advance the provincial Filipino cultural centre, contribute to Vancouver’s rich cultural tapestry, and promote intercultural dialogue.
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About Mabuhay House Society
Established in 2021, Mabuhay House Society is a registered non-profit society working closely with the provincial government to develop a provincial Filipino cultural centre that will be an inclusive, intercultural, and intergenerational space that Filipino Canadians can call home, where everyone is welcome. Mabuhay House Society is paving the way for the Filipino connection and community to thrive in BC. Visit our website at mabuhayhouse.ca.
For more info:
Sammie Jo Rumbaua
Board Chair, Mabuhay House Society
chair@mabuhayhouse.ca
604-334-1800