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Background: The Filipino Plaza, situated in VanNess Avenue, Vancouver, immediately west of SkyTrain Nanaimo Station, was constructed in 1986 and was part of Translink's BC Parkway Program. The BC Parkway is a 26-kilometer multi-use path that parallels the Expo SkyTrain Line, connecting Surrey City Centre, New Westminster, South Burnaby and Vancouver.

When the Skytrain structures were built in 1986, the right -of-way below the skytrain was offerred to various enthic group for development of a park. Fortunately, we have a group of kind-hearted Filipinos (Filipino Plaza Committee of 1985) that were given the opportunity to be able to build the plaza.

They raised money and they were able to raise all the funds necessary to build this historical plaza.

With your help and kindness, I would like to restore or improve the Filipino Plaza. Perhaps, we can erect a flagpole and raise Phil. flag on special occassions; put up a Filipino Mural; or maybe build a small stage so we can host small concert in the park. There are abundance of things we can do to improve the park and make it more usable to Filipinos.

CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS

JULY 1985. Translink, at the time when they're building the Expo Line 86 Skytrain, contacted the filipino community for a possible assignment of a small landscaped park in the right-of-way (land) under the skytrain.

AUGUST 1985. The Filipino Plaza Committee of 1985 was formed. Construction of the Plaza has commenced.

JUNE 21, 1986. The park was inaugurated and was presented to the community through the effort of the 1985 Committee.

OCTOBER 2009. Bert Morelos, a member of the old committee, informed Jay Razon of the park.

BETWEEN JUNE AND AUGUST 2010. Jay Razon hosted couple of meetings at the park to raise awareness of the park.

SEPT 11, 2010. The Filipino Plaza was featured in the debut episode of Balitang Vancouver in Channel 8 and Balitang Amerika.

SEPT. 14, 2010. The park was also featured in Pinoy Buzz Vancouver.

SEPT. 25, 2010. Jay Razon hosted an un-official fundraising concert to benefit the plaza and was able to raised around $600.

NOV. 23, 2010. Province of British Columbia approved the incorporation of the Filipino Plaza Society of BC (FPBC), a non-profit society put up to manage the affairs of the plaza.

DEC. 2, 2010. The Founding Officers and Directors of FPBC were elected. Jay Razon was elected the President; Maria Javier as VP. Zeala Cortes as Secretary; Lu Lauron as Treasurer; Art Viray as PRO; and Laarni Liwanag, Ronald Acros, Angelo Siglos and Wel Medina as Directors. Carmelita Tapia was the 1st ever Advisor of the Society.

DEC. 7, 2010. Translink acknowledged FPBC and offer support.

DEC. 20, 2010. During Jay Razon's birthday, the FPBC hosted a fund-raising event and was able to raised $1010.