This is Migrante BC
We dream of a society where families are no longer torn apart just for the need to survive.
Migrante BC is a volunteer-led, volunteer-powered, grassroots, non-profit organization of migrant Filipinos and allies in solidarity. We advocate for the rights and welfare of migrant Filipino workers in BC, and we stand at the forefront of the fight for fair wages and adequate benefits for migrant workers, Status for All, and justice for the victims of labour trafficking, with a perspective that calls for the necessity of national industrialization in the Philippines-- hence why we say:
Trabaho sa Pinas, 'di sa labas!
(Translation: Jobs in the Philippines, not overseas!).
At Migrante BC, we firmly believe in organizing migrant Filipinos to collectively advocate for our democratic rights. We are steadfast in our commitment to the fundamental right shared by all Filipinos, whether at home or abroad: the right to decent work.
A Message from our Chairperson
What we mean by "Serve the People"
Rights and Welfare
We need to understand the immediate needs of the people and fight alongside them in the struggle for employment, fair wages, status, and human rights
Support for the Struggle in the PH
Given that poverty and a lack of job opportunities in the Philippines are the root causes of Filipino migration, we stand with national democratic movement for national industrialization to promote job creation at home
Education and Activism
We believe in the necessity of understanding the realities of Filipino migration and how this relates to our everyday struggles as migrants, thus equipping each advocate with the knowledge they need to take the campaigns to the streets
Alliance and Chapter-Building
We work together with other Filipino groups, migrant groups, and any oppressed peoples who stand in solidarity with migrant struggles against the root causes of poverty and exploitation
The Story of Migrante
We've come a long way, and we'd love to share this amazing journey so far with you!
1995
The Story of Flor Contemplacion
A migrant Filipino caregiver in Singapore who was wrongly accused of neglect, and later put to death row despite evidence pointing to her innocence
1996
Migrante International
The clamour for justice for Flor led progressive Filipino groups to realize the necessity of a Filipino migrants organization to protect the rights and welfare of Filipino migrants like Flor who has been displaced by the Labour Export Policy
2008
The Founding of Migrante BC
With the rising migration rates of Filipinos to BC in the early 2000s, under the leadership of Erie Maestro, Migrante BC was founded with the goal of advocating for the rights and welfare of Filipino migrants in BC
2010
Migrante Canada is officially formed
With a growing membership of 13 chapters and organizations at present, Migrante Canada was formed to unite the chapters across the country and strengthen its campaigns
2013
The Fight of the Denny's Workers
When Denny's was exposed to have been exploiting its workers, many of whom were Filipino, Migrante BC took the lead in the class action lawsuit against the chain restaurant to give its workers their unpaid wages as well as regularize them
2014
Doors open at Bahay Migrante
The victims of Denny's decided to give a portion of their winnings to provide a home for Migrante BC. At present, Bahay Migrante serves as the Migrante BC and Damayan office, as well as a safe space for at-risk migrant Filipinos in need of subsidized housing
2024
#Justice4VictimsOfTPLC
By chance encounter at one of our Usapang Migrante Workshops, we encountered victims of a fraudulent recruitment agency that extorted hundreds of Filipinos for tens of thousands of dollars and left them with no work and no status. Migrante BC now leads the campaign to call for justice with a goal to win a class action lawsuit similar to the fight against Denny's
2024
Migrante BC at present day
At present, Migrante BC continues the work to host arouse, organize, and mobilize migrant Filipinos with a goal to establish 5 city-based chapters by the end of the year
Meet the current Migrante BC Executive Committee
We have some amazing talent leading our local chapter of Migrante, get to know them better here!
Hessed Torres
Chairperson
Co-Head of Mass Campaigns
Diane Zapata
Vice Chairperson
Co-Head of Mass Campaigns
Dennise Velasco
Secretary General
Jaela Villegas
Treasurer
Head of Finance Committee
Co-Head of Public Information
Migrante BC Coordinating Committee
CJ Demanarig
Deputy Secretary General
Head of Education and Culture
Teresita DeChavez
Head of Senior Relations
Regional Representative to Migrante Canada
Kaira Fenix
Co-Head of Alliance and Solidarity
Area Coordinator - East Vancouver and Burnaby
Sabrina Qistana
Co-Head of Alliance Solidarity
Lead for IMA Chapter-Building
Marc Perez
Co-Head of Public Information
Area Coordinator - South Vancouver and Richmond
Charm Millares
Head of Membership and Expansion
Oms Kaumay
Area Coordinator - Surrey and Fraser Valley
Nora Salvatierra
Area Coordinator - Victoria and Vancouver Island
Christie Bernados
Area Coordinator - West End Vancouver and UBC
Our Networks and Alliances
We work with some awesome people who continuously support our campaigns and initiatives.
Here's a shoutout to some of them!
BAYAN Canada
As a progressive Filipino organization, Migrante BC is a member of the broadest national democratic alliance of Filipino organizations in Canada, BAYAN Canada
The International League of People's Struggles
As the broadest alliance of anti-Imperialists, Migrante BC stands with ILPS in the call to end imperialist war games that promotes forced migration
International Migrants Assembly
As the broadest anti-Imperialist network of migrant groups from across the globe, Migrante BC stands with IMA on issues migrants of different nationalities face
Migrants Rights Network
As the broadest progressive migrants network, Migrante BC stands with MRN in the call of Status for All, and Good Enough to Work, Good Enough to Stay
Migrante Canada
Because Migrante is an international organization, Migrante BC is a member of the national formation, Migrante Canada to unite the struggles of Filipinos across so-called Canada
Coalition for Migrant Workers Justice
Migrante BC is also a proud founding member of the broadest coalition of unions, community groups, faith-based organizations, migrant groups, and solidarity groups