Fil-Canadians want ‘Pinoytown’ in Vancouver

Fil-Canadians want ‘Pinoytown’ in Vancouver

VANCOUVER –A portion of Fraser Street between Kingsway and 33rd Avenue in Vancouver is where most Filipino establishments are located. 
It’s the reason why there’s a growing petition to declare it into an official Filipino enclave, a “Little Manila” or “Pinoytown.”

“We are asking them to designate a place for us that we can call our own. We have a sense of belongingness here sa Vancouver kasi hinahayaan nila i-celebrate natin ang kultura natin,” Jojo Quimpo, Pinoytown petition organizer said.

Copies of the petition are spreading rapidly barely a month since it was started.

“I wanted to have our own identity kasi halos mayroon na yung iba. Why don’t we have our own too?” said Dr. Cresencia Macasiray. Patients at her dental clinic are more than happy to sign the petition.

Meanwhile, there is a lot of enthusiasm among patrons of Filipino restaurants. They say it’s high time that Pinoys have a district to call their own in multicultural Vancouver.

“I think it’s a good idea kasi mayroong mga iba-ibang lahi na they have their own so maganda din kung dito nila ilalagay para yung mga activities natin dito din natin ilalagay,” Marites Alejandro said.

Pinoys here are hoping the Vancouver City Council will act on their petition but with municipal elections happening this month, kababayans may have to wait a little more as city councilors have other things to keep them busy.

abs-cbnNEWS.com