MAYOR KEN SIM AND VANCOUVER CITY COUNCIL PROCLAIMS JUNE 2026 AS PHILIPPINE HERITAGE MONTH AT VANCOUVER CITY HALL CEREMONY

Copy of City of Vancouver Proclamation declaring June 2026 as Philippine Heritage Month

04 June 2026, Vancouver, British Columbia. On 04 June 2026, the City of Vancouver officially proclaimed June 2026 as Philippine Heritage Month during a formal ceremony at the Vancouver City Hall, personally presided by His Worship Vancouver City Mayor Ken Sim and members of the Vancouver City Council led by Deputy Mayor Sarah Kirby-Yung and Councillors Lenny Zhou and Pete Fry. Accepting the proclamation was Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin of the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver. The proclamation marks a continuing, deeply meaningful tradition for the city. While the Canadian federal government officially designated June as nationwide Philippine Heritage Month in 2018, the City of Vancouver has actively embedded this celebration into its municipal fabric under Mayor Sim’s leadership. This year's ceremony holds particular significance, arriving at a time when the city and the local diaspora look forward to major milestones, including ongoing advancements toward a dedicated Filipino Cultural Centre in Vancouver.

[Left] Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin presents Vancouver City Mayor Ken Sim with a box of Filipino delicacies as a token of appreciation and gratitude on the occasion of Philippine Independence Day and Philippine Heritage Month. [Right] The two officials hold a private meeting prior to the Proclamation Ceremony. [Photos: Vancouver PCG]

Prior to the formal proclamation, Mayor Sim and Consul General Jamoralin held a private tête-à-tête, during which the Consul General personally thanked the Mayor for everything the city does to support and uplift the local Filipino community. As a gesture of appreciation and celebration for Philippine Independence Day and Philippine Heritage Month, Consul General Jamoralin presented Mayor Sim with a curated box of traditional Filipino pastries and delicacies from the Consulate.

The historic event was well-attended by prominent government officials, including Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Mable Elmore (Vancouver-Kensington). The vibrant local diaspora was also heavily represented by major community organizations, including the United Filipino Canadian Associations in British Columbia (UFCABC), the Filipino Legacy Society (FLS), and the Filipino Seniors Club of British Columbia (FSCBC).

[Left] Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin with Vancouver city officials (left - Councilor Peter Fry, right - Deputy Mayor Sarah Kirby-Yung) during the Proclamation of the June 2026 as Philippine Heritage Month in Vancouver. [Photo: Vancouver PCG]

In his address, Mayor Ken Sim expressed the city's deep appreciation for the community, reflecting warmly on his lifelong interactions with the Filipino community. Sharing personal anecdotes from his upbringing and his career as a professional, Mayor Sim highlighted that the vast majority of his meaningful interactions were with dedicated Filipino healthcare professionals. "Filipino culture and people is better than I could ever be," Mayor Sim stated. He noted that proclaiming June as Philippine Heritage Month is more than a formality, but rather a heartfelt expression of gratitude and recognition to the thousands of Filipino-Canadians who shape local neighborhoods every day, adding that the city is proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Consulate General of the Philippines and the entire community to celebrate their history and build a more inclusive future together.

In response, Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin shared her pride and gratitude on behalf of the Consulate and the Filipino-Canadian community. She remarked that June is a particularly significant month for Filipinos as they celebrate their Philippine Independence Day and honor their roots while celebrating Philippine Heritage Month. She emphasized that Vancouver has truly become a welcoming home where the diaspora thrives, and that this recognition by the City of Vancouver underscores the ties of friendship and shared resilience between Vancouver and the Filipino community. END