Press Release: Filipino community leaders call on Premier-elect Horgan to include MLA-elect Elmore in his cabinet

A broad cross-section of Filipino-Canadian community groups released an Open Joint Letter (copy below) to Premier-elect John Horgan this morning calling on him to include MLA-elect Mable Elmore in his Cabinet.

“Cabinet Ministers serve at the pleasure of the Premier and its composition illustrates his priorities.  For it to reflect the diversity of the province it serves, Cabinet needs to also represent the growing Filipino-Canadian community by including MLA-elect Elmore,” says Filipino-Canadian community leader RJ Aquino.  Aquino founded Tulayan, a group that organizes 2^nd generation Filipinos.

Aquino explained this sentiment is shared by the Filipino-Canadian community groups that endorsed the Joint Open Letter presented to media this morning on a Zoom press conference.

“it is with immense pride that we celebrate Ms. Elmore’s historic election as BC’s first-ever MLA of Filipino descent. With her recent re-election to a 4th term, along with your party’s return to government with an overwhelming majority, now is the time to recognize the importance of the Filipino community by appointing Ms. Elmore to a leadership position,” states the Open Letter endorsed by 54 Filipino-Canadian community organizations.

There are more than 145,000 Filipinos in BC and it is the 3^rd largest immigrant group in the province.

“We are calling for Ms. Elmore to be part of Cabinet because representation matters.  Representation shapes how BIPOC communities are viewed by society and, more importantly, how these communities view themselves,”  said Rudy Antonio, a long-time Filipino community leader in the Lower Mainland.

“This type of representation empowers those of us who, traditionally, have been denied a voice,” he added.

Along with the Joint Open Letter, Aquino explained there is also a Petition with more than  a thousand supporters that is circulating in the community.  Along with calling for Elmore to be included in Cabinet, the Petition calls for provincial support for a Filipino-Canadian Community Centre and Filipino language classes in public schools.  

“This is also a wake-up call for our community.  Regardless of Premier-elect Horgan’s decision regarding Cabinet, we need to and will to continue to organize and advocate for our interests.  This campaign shows us we have a voice – let’s continue to raise it for a better community and a better BC,” concluded Antonio.

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Open Letter to Premier-elect John Horgan from Filipino Community Organizations in BC

November 23, 2020

Dear Premier-elect John Horgan,

On behalf of the Filipino community in BC and supporting organizations listed below, we strongly urge you to consider veteran MLA Mable Elmore for your Cabinet. The organizations we represent are a broad cross section of Filipinos that includes youth, seniors, alumni organizations, sports organizations, as well as geographic and social justice formations. We are an active and dynamic community and the numerous groups we have reflects our strength.

Filipinos comprise the third largest ethnic group in BC and are among its fastest growing immigrant populations. As it stands, we are more than 145,000 who are proud to call BC home. While our community is a young one, with most immigrants first arriving during the 1970s, our contributions to the health and welfare of this province are immeasurable.

Along with emigrating as professionals in various fields, many of us also came to care for the young, the elderly, the sick, and the infirm. Amidst the current pandemic, we continue to tirelessly work on the frontlines helping to ensure British Columbians stay safe.

Considering the systemic barriers Filipinos face as they try to excel in their varied fields – it is with immense pride that we celebrate Ms. Elmore’s historic election as BC’s first-ever MLA of Filipino descent. With her recent re-election to a 4th term, along with your party’s return to government with an overwhelming majority, now is the time to recognize the importance of the Filipino community by appointing Ms. Elmore to a leadership position.

Cabinet members are appointees that serve at the pleasure of the Premier and their composition (which includes the communities and sectors they represent) reflect his priorities.  For your Cabinet to genuinely reflect the diversity of the people it serves it needs to include Ms. Elmore. Anything less amounts to the continued marginalization of our community and is an affront to the dedication and service of Filipinos to BC over the years. Your party has the unique opportunity to elevate the Filipino community and we hope you will consider doing so by inviting Ms. Elmore to your Cabinet.

Thank you for considering our request and we look forward to your response.  You may reach us through our following contact persons for this letter:  

RJ Aquino (rj@rjaquino.ca) and Rudy Antonio (rudyantonio@shaw.ca).

Sincerely,

Adamson University Alumni Association (Vancouver Chapter) – Rudy Antonio, 

Aklanon Sto. Nino Association – Kirv Wendale Lamsen, President

Alpha Phi Omega Alumni Association of BC – Cora De Jesus, President

Antiqueno Cultural Association of BC – Mirasol Kahila, President

Bagong Pag-Asa – Pepita Hernandez, President

Bohol Foundation – Dario Galon, President

Caring Hearts Dentistry Society – Dr. Gloria Samosa, Co-Founder

Circulo Cagayano – Rudy Tuliao , President

Circulo Pampangueno – Christian Cunanan , President

Confederation of Filipino Canadian Association – Romeo Mercado, President

Daloy Puso Network

Dimasalang III – Leo Cunanan Jr., President

FilCan Seniors Warriors for Change

Filipino Association of BC – Celyna Scherst, President

Filipino Association of Chilliwack – Charles Sebastian, President

Filipino Canadian Construction Society – Ferdie Lontoc, President

Filipino Canadian Cultural Society 

Filipino Patriots Society of Canada – Rene Bahena, President

First Filipino Canadian Cultural Society of Nanaimo – Tessie Fumerton, President

Fraser Valley Filipino Association – Dexter Tarampi, President

Global Pinoy Diaspora Canada

Ilocano Association of BC  – Ana Napieralski , President

Kilusang Pagbabago – Vancouver Chapter – Rupie Payot, President

Mapua Institute Alumni Association 

Masskara Cultural Society – Agnes Uguil, President

Nanaimo Filipino Canadian Association – Maru Schwager, President

Nanaimo Filipino Community Organization – Josie Morse, President

National Pilipino Canadian Cultural Centre (NPC3) – Nora Angeles

Negrenses Association of BC – Cris Sotana, President

Pangasinan Ilocano Association – Rudy Antonio, President

Philippine Cordillera Society – Josie Bangaan, President

Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants 

Richmond Filipino Canadian Bayanihan Society 

Rinconada Society of Canada – BC Chapter – Mel Abonita, President

Royal City Sister City Society – Annie Miles, President

Seniors Brigade Seniors Society – Chiching Orquiola, President

Sigma Rho Alumni Association – Vancouver – Cris Sotana, President

Sons and Daughters of Santo Domingo – Marino Dulay, President

Surrey Philippine Independence Society – Narima dela Cruz, President

TAPSILOG – FilCan Network for Truth and Justice – Freddie Bagunu, President

Tau Gamma Phi / Sigma – Francis (Bong) Valeriano, President

Tulayan

United Filipino Canadian Associations of BC – Joel Castillo, President

University of the Philippines Alumni Association of BC – Mylene Lim, President

Vancouver Island Cordillera Association – Amando Pitag, President

Vancouver Island Visayan Association – Evelyn Rocic, President

Victoria Bayanihan Community Centre – Dominga Passmore, President

Victoria Filipino Canadian Association – Agnes Mhyre, President

Victoria Filipino Canadian Caregivers Association – Annette Beech, President

Victoria Filipino Canadian Seniors Association – Connie Custodio, President

Viva Senor Sto. Nino Association of BC – Edgar Sy, President

Waray Association of Canada – Luis Pedroso , President

Zambales Dance Group – Merlina Fayusal, President

Zambales Society of BC – Merlina Fayusal, President