Tuloy Po Kayo Sa Bahay Migrante

Bahay Migrante : A House to Call Our Own

By Erie  Maestro (Migrante-BC)
Vancouver-Canada
November 14, 2014



Tutoo na ito nga ang matagal na pinangarap ng Migrante BC – ang magkaroon ng bahay, ng pisikal na sentro, ang magkaroon ng tahanan para sa mga migranteng Pinoy. And this dream of Migrante BC for a house, a physical centre, a home for Filipino migrants became a reality when Migrante announced its open house last October.

Bahay Migrante (Migrante House) is the story of organized migrant power and determination. True to the spirit of bayanihan and damayan, the Migrante BC members, friends and supporters transformed the house that sits on the corner of Fraser and East 32nd into what is now Bahay Migrante.  They willingly volunteered their time, resources, skills and talents. They offered their resources for various tasks and put into service their vehicles, kitchens, lawn mowers, and more. Many of them learned to wield a paint brush, a putty knife, even a chain saw. They willingly took up various tasks because work needed to be done  – from insulating walls, cutting the grass, priming and painting, to scrubbing clean the walls and doors, tiling the floors, putting up wall mirrors, fixing the leaks, weeding and landscaping, fixing the  roof and so many more required tasks needed to help make a house a home.

A short program followed the ecumenical blessing and dedication led by Fr. Expedito Farinas of St. Mary the Virgin Church, Rev. Barry Morris of the Longhouse Council of Native Ministry, Rev. Deb Hinksman of Ellesmere United Church, Rev. Stuart Lyster of the United Church of Canada.  Migrante BC continues to have collaborative relationships with them and the churches that they represent. Migrante BC has come a long way from its launch in Sept 2008 and its early beginnings in the basement of the Long House Church on Hastings St. 

Three paintings by international artist and Migrante member Bert Monterona were given in appreciation to lawyers Christopher Foy and Charles Gordon, represented by Jodie Gauthier, and to Mable Elmore, MLA of Vancouver-Kensington, all advocates and fighters for migrant justice and rights. Migrante thanked everyone for their support in various and many ways.

UBC Professor Leonora Angeles who bridges the gap between the academe and grass roots communities read and translated the touching solidarity poem from Phillip Unlayao of Migrante Austria, part of which read: “bahay migrante ang magiging kanlungan ng lahat, tahanang aankinin habang malayo sa bayang liyag / migrante house is our shelter, a home we will make our own while we are away from our beloved country, our home.”
Among the well-wishers were  friends from the United Food and Commercial Workers, the West Coast Domestic Workers Association, Migrant Workers Dignity Association, Alliance for People’s Health, Kathara, Seniors Brigade Society of BC, Dahong Pinoy, Victoria Filipino Canadian Caregivers Association, Coalition for Migrant Workers Justice, BC Employment Standards Coalition, Vancouver Public Library, Couples for Christ, SFU Filipino Students’ Association, Canada Philippines Solidarity for Human Rights, Multicultural Helping House Society, Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada, Victory Square Law Office, and many more.

The Migrante chapters across the globe sent their email and video greetings of “Mabuhay ang Migrante BC!” Migrante Australia wrote: “You have proved that a dream cannot remain a dream. Your experience becomes exemplary and an inspiration. May we learn from your pursuit!”

Migrante BC was founded  in 2008 by Filipino migrants and immigrants to help promote and protect migrants’ rights and welfare, primarily Filipino caregivers and temporary foreign workers. It is Migrante’s way of saying:  “for too long, others have spoken on our behalf, now we speak for ourselves.” 
Migrante House is also their way of saying “Welcome,” “Tuloy po kayo.” 
 Migrante House is on  4794 Fraser St (at East 32 St.) .
You can contact Migrante BC through email  .