1st Filipino immigrant in Canada remembered in Vancouver ceremony | TFC News British Columbia
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On the 95th death anniversary of Benson Flores, the first recorded Filipino to arrive in Canada,
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the Filipino community in Vancouver finally had a chance to celebrate his life and legacy to Filipino immigrants in the country.
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Led by editor-publisher Ted Alquitas and the UFC ABC's Cliff Belgica, leaders from various groups came together to honor Flores.
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He was the adventurous seafarer who left the Philippines when he was only 15 years old to see the world before settling in Canada in the 1860s.
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It's huge for us to recognize the pioneers. They have set the standards for the younger generations on how we will be able to move forward as a community.
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Flores, who never married, died in Vancouver on April 11, 1929, aged 81.
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He was buried two days later at the Mount.
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Vancouver officials paid tribute to this first Filipino immigrant and declared April 11 this year as Benson Flores Day.
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It was very touching to hear that they acknowledged our presence and contribution to our community in Canada.
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Benson Flores was the first to pave the way for us.
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Consul General Arlene Magno says,
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Flores' life was worthy of celebrating as it represented the best of the Filipino.
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He was known to be kind. He lent money. He helped his friends, maybe Canadians.
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And so it's just such a beautiful representation of who we are as a Filipino.
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Flores' story resonates with all other immigrants and the Pacific Canada Heritage Centre Museum of Migration Society believes these stories need to be told.
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We don't want them to be lost.
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We don't want them.
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We don't want them to be silenced.
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Alcuitas played a big role in sparking renewed interest in Flores following his GoFundMe campaign to raise money for a tombstone.
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His efforts paid off and Flores' tombstone was officially unveiled on April 13, the day he was buried.
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Filipino-Canadian provincial lawmaker Mabel Elmore noted its significance because of their longstanding connection to Filipinos.
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It's important to have the connection for the Filipino community and really understand those roots.
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In her speech at the unveiling rites,
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acting Burnaby City Mayor Maita Santiago underscored the importance of looking back and honoring the past.
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Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makakarating sa panuroonan.
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This is a well-known saying from Jose Rizal and it means loosely that those who don't know to look back to where they've been cannot reach where their destination is.
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Community leaders are happy to see that Flores' story is being told.
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community leaders are happy to see that Flores' story is being told.
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The story of Flores is finally given the recognition he deserves.
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Mr. Benson Flores paved the way for all of us immigrants and I think this serves as an inspiration and a motivation for all of us to continue doing good and to do honor for the Philippines.
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I am my father and he is my father.
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Rowena Papasin, ABS-CBN News, Vancouver.
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Rowena Papasin, ABS-CBN News, Vancouver.
