Bayanihan Spirit Shines: Victoria’s Filipino Leaders Welcome Ambassador Chan-Gonzaga to Celebrate 25 Years of Community Service

Filipino community leaders pose for a commemorative photo with H.E. Ambassador Jose Victor V. Chan‑Gonzaga (seated, fourth from left) and Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin (seated, third from left) during the 25th Anniversary of the Philippine Bayanihan Community Centre. (Photo by Vancouver PCG)

Victoria, British Columbia, 04 May 2026 - The leaders of various Filipino community organizations in Victoria, British Columbia—namely the Bayanihan Cultural and Housing Society (BCHS), the Victoria Filipino Canadian Association (VFCA), the Victoria Filipino Canadian Caregivers Association (VFCCA), and the Victoria Filipino Canadian Seniors' Association—welcomed visiting Ambassador José Victor V. Chan-Gonzaga today May 4, 2026, on his first official visit to British Columbia at the Bayanihan Center.

The Center in Victoria will be celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Ambassador Chan-Gonzaga delivered his keynote message followed by a Town Hall Meeting.

Accompanying the Ambassador were Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin, who also delivered her welcome message; Deputy Head of Mission Rea G. Oreta, Migrant Workers Office (MWO) Labor Attaché Ma. Celeste Valderrama and Consul André Peter C. Estanislao of Vancouver PCG.

The delegation provided vital updates on ongoing and upcoming projects and activities of the PCG and MWO, including:
Credential Recognition: Discussing the Ambassador’s initiatives to streamline professional integration in British Columbia.
Empowerment & Safety: Information on the Post-Arrival Orientation Seminar (PAOS) and food safety seminars.
Civic & Welfare

Programs: Updates on VerMAP, Overseas Voting registration, and ATN assistance 
Consul General Jamoralin thanked the Bayanihan Center for providing the venue for the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver’s recent consular outreach mission in Victoria which was held on May 2-3, 2026. 

Thank you to the Victoria Filipino community for the exceptionally warm welcome and for your continued dedication to the spirit of Bayanihan!

#Bayanihan25 #FilComVictoria #BagongPilipinas #ConsularService #PHinCanada #VictoriaBC

(Left) Filipino community leaders warmly welcome Ambassador Chan-Gonzaga.

(Below) Guests come together for the opening of the Centre’s 25th anniversary program as the celebration gets underway.

(Photos by Vancouver PCG)

Members of the Bayanihan Creative Collective perform traditional dances (Kapa Malong Malong, Kapag Apir Apir and Sagayan) for the audience during the intermission. (Photos by Vancouver PCG)

Ambassador Chan‑Gonzaga, Consul General Jamoralin, and Labor Attaché Ma. Celeste Valderrama address key issues and concerns of the Filipino community during the town hall meeting, which focused on labor and immigration policies as well as the future direction of the Centre. (Photos by Vancouver PCG)

The Filipino community in Victoria present certificates of appreciation to

Ambassador Chan-Gonzaga (middle) and Consul General Jamoralin (third from left).

(Photo by Vancouver PCG)