Tuesday, 16 December 2025

What 'Culture' Is FCT Showcasing in Toronto?

Volume 7, Issue No. 31
OPINION/COMMENTARY
/ News That Fears None, Views That Favor Nobody /

. . . . . A community service of The Filipino Web Channel (TheFilipinoWebChannel@gmail. com) and the Philippine Village Voice (PhilVoiceNews@gmail.com) for the information and understanding of Filipinos and the diverse communities in North America . . . . 

Our latest as of Tuesday, December 16, 2025 

~ For the past three years - that's 2023, 2024, and 2025, the latter ending soon - only a handful of insiders at Filipino Centre Toronto know what's going on with the wealthy non-profit org. How come? Well, it's because the public, the taxpayers from where FCT draws monetary support for its activities, are in the dark about how it is disbursing millions of dollars it realized from the $5.9-million sale of its old building in downtown Toronto in 2017. 

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NO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR 2023, 2024, 2025

What 'Culture' Is FCT
Showcasing in Toronto?
 

By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ 
Editor, The Filipino Web Channel



“Corrupt officials are usually close-mouthed and open-handed."  – Evan Esar  


TORONTO - The Filipino Centre Toronto (FCT) welcomes visitors to its website with this greeting: "Mabuhay! The Filipino Center (sic) is a community centre (sic) established to preserve & showcase our culture in a multicultural environment."

It sounds comforting. But once one looks back to the recent past, and given its tendency for secrecy and ambiguity, the declaration begs the question: what kind of culture is the non-profit org trying to preserve and showcase?

Canada is ocean away from the Philippines, yet the widespread corruption in the homeland, particularly the flood control projects, has impacted the Filipino community here. (Related video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9DER6NVdAI&t=12s).

From the top to the lowest government functionary, in the halls of Congress and other public offices, shameless debauchery is common. In other words, much to our dismay, there's an existing culture of corruption there.

I don't mean to imply that that same level of corruption pervades FCT, a non-profit millionaire by any measure, where so-called volunteers call the shots. In fact, FCT could help change that widespread imagery by being upfront with its own money issues.

FCT can not escape scrutiny, despite its status, because it benefits from taxpayers' money in the form of grants worked out through its political patrons in the municipal, provincial and federal levels. (Related story: https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2020/06/fct-members-renew-demand-for.html).

After it moved to its present home, its coffers should have at least $3 million stashed somewhere. That's what should be left of $5.9 million realized from the sale of its building in downtown Toronto, minus $1.9 million for the Scarborough property, minus another $1 million for renovation.

Nobody knows, except perhaps the FCT officers, if that $3-million leftover is invested in some high yielding stocks and is handsomely earning more money, or it has been reduced significantly by monetary claims other than the previously reported $678,000 (or $698,000) payouts to "volunteers."

How does it survive? Who are the people behind it now? It held an election on November 26, 2025 of its board of directors for the 2026-2028 term, yet not one official is identified except Mary Ann San Juan, president and CEO. Why? Why shield them from public view?

How could FCT continue with its claim of "relentless pursuit of a better future for all Filipinos in Toronto" when we don't know who's acting, for good or bad, on behalf of the community?

It would seem that FCT does not have much faith in accountability and transparency. Its latest financial statement was from October 2022, as follows: Profit and Loss January through October 11, 2022 (miscellaneous expenses at $105,931.66 and loss of $36,005.04), and Balance Sheet as at October 31, 2022 (with total liabilities and assets recorded at $3,220,864.73).

The financial statement has not been updated to include the years 2023, 2024 and maybe, 2025. Its website does not explain why, neither does any official say anything to clarify it. (Related story: https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2023/01/big-surprise-fct-releases-2022-annual.html).

FCT has stoked public interest in recent weeks as evidenced by the upward climb of the number of readers here at Filipino Web Magazine. Out of the daily/weekly tally of the top 20 articles (out of 385 since 2019), 13 were accounted for by FCT stories.

It's an incredible development that caught us unawares because the FCT articles dislodged most of the infamous frontrunners from the rankings, namely, 

1. The reporting about unmasking of the lies and deception of Hermie Garcia and Mila Garcia and their The Philippine Reporter.(Story: https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2025/11/music-memories-concert-refreshes-past.html) 
2. The five defamation lawsuits against Balita and EINO Tess Cusipag with one case resulting in jail time for criminal contempt. (Story: https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2025/04/balita-wronged-businesswoman-liwayway.html).
3. The "kotong" gang of Taste of Manila and the enablers of Rolly "kabise" Mangante. (Story: https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2024/11/). 
4. The raffle ticket fiasco by Fiesta Extravaganza of Von Canton. (Story: https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2024/07/the-raffle-ticket-fiasco-by-fiesta.html) 
5. The alleged scammers belonging to a dubious "elite" organization. (Story: https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2020/03/so-called-elite-crusaders-raises-red.html).

On the other hand, the remarkable articles of achievement by reputable individuals remain in place. These include:

1. The recent Music & Memories concert of Hotdog songwriter Mon Torralba. (Story: https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2025/11/music-memories-concert-refreshes-past.html).
2. Philippine Artists Group exhibit: A celebration of Filipino genius. (Story: https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2023/06/pags-art-exhibit-celebration-of.html).
6. Cielo Ramos' piano-playing sparking interest in music. (Story: https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2023/11/toronto-pianist-sparks-renewed-interest.html).
8. Dr. Connie Mariano: Filipino Physician of U.S. Presidents. (Story: https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2021/07/dr-connie-mariano-filipino-physician-of.html).

Looking at the numbers now, it appears there's a balance between the positive stories about trailblazing Filipinos and those about shenanigans. That only means the reading public appreciate stories that inform and enlighten them. (Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved).

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Sunday, 14 December 2025

Gaffes Prompt Intense Interest in Filipino Centre Toronto


Volume 7, Issue No. 30
OPINION/COMMENTARY
/ News That Fears None, Views That Favor Nobody /

. . . . . A community service of The Filipino Web Channel (TheFilipinoWebChannel@gmail. com) and the Philippine Village Voice (PhilVoiceNews@gmail.com) for the information and understanding of Filipinos and the diverse communities in North America . . . . 

Our latest as of Sunday, December 14, 2025 

~ With millions of dollars in its possession and hundreds of thousands more in money grants, it seems inconceivable that Filipino Centre Toronto would not have a decent, interactive website with readily available information about its financial situation and other relevant data. Its existing website is like a pit of misspelled words, awful grammar and bad syntax. It calls its archive "Filipiñina Heritage Library." 

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WHERE ARE YOUR MILLIONS, FCT?
Gaffes Prompt Intense Interest 
in Filipino Centre Toronto
 

By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ 
Editor, The Filipino Web Channel


“Things fall apart and happen out of stupidity and carelessness."  – John Sandford  


TORONTO - Ever heard of these words: Filipiñina, Filipinana, generstions, frabric, undering, Phillippines, opporitunities, harmonius, sprit? Or, do you care about grammar, syntax, diction?

The answers to the questions are articulated in the website of the well-endowed Filipino Centre Toronto (FCT), the Scarborough-based non-profit which "envisions a harmonius (sic) blend of tradition and progress . . . "


The misspellings and other gaffes don't inspire confidence in the organization founded in 2000 and whose aim is "to enrich lives, bridge generstions (sic), and contribute to the vibrant multicultural frabric (sic) of the GTA." In truth, they invite mockery.

To attain one of its stated goals, FCT quite possibly, put up what it calls a "Filipiñina (sic) Heritage Library." FCT claims it's "a first in the Greater Toronto Area, and possibly in Canada! The Filipinana (sic) Library, a proud joint project of . . . " Another goal, the website states, "is to develop community sprit (sic)."

I visited the FCT website this week, prompted by a sudden jump in readership of the articles I've written from 2019 and up to August 2025 (the list is below), and to my horror, I thought I was viewing a startup website created by juveniles. 

This was no different from its old website of five years ago where one finds cartoonish images of officials in all manner of poses. Maybe after realizing the illustrations only incited contempt, the images were taken down. (Full story: https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2020/12/fct-tries-to-be-funny-amidst-pandemic.html).

Of the top 20 stories in Filipino Web Magazine, seven are about FCT. That shows deep public interest in the affairs of FCT and its officials. High on that list are these stories: https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2022/02/deception-at-filipino-centre-toronto.html and https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2021/01/filipino-centre-torontos-arrogance.html.

With its millions and as a public service, I suppose FCT could subsidize publishing them all in a book and be required reading at its "Filipiñina" or "Filipinana" library. The articles are here:


It's possible FCT could do it as my - our - contribution to enriching "lives, bridge generstions (sic), and contribute to the vibrant multicultural frabric (sic) of the GTA." I mean it, if only for the cause of transparency.

FCT is a wealthy non-profit org. It's literally awash in millions after it sold its "dingy and smelly" building on Parliament St. in downtown Toronto for $5.9 million and bought a one-story fixer-upper for $1.9 million. Without attempting a hocus-pocus by some itchy hands, there's $4 million left, presumably. 

Once FCT got the proceeds from the sale, some monetary claimants emerged and asked to be compensated for supposedly "services rendered." At least $678,000 were paid out to nine people. (Full story: https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2021/10/fct-opens-its-mouth-with-warning-to.html).

So, the $4 million has been reduced. Then the FCT leadership decided to renovate its Scarborough property and spent at least $1 million. Which means, the leftover money is again depleted. Question: how much is left now of that $5.9 million?

The website says Mary Ann San Juan, to quote verbatim, "the current President & CEO of Filipino Centre, Toronto from 2017 and serving her second term, was one of the founding members of FCT." Take note of the use of "was" in that sentence. Is she still with us or is she gone?

It seems at this juncture that FCT doesn't know what to do with its money. But if it could allocate $1 million or more for a facelift, why not hire a knowledgeable professional to create a website that would uplift?

Its "Filipiñina Heritage Library" looks nice and cool but its book collection of Filipino authors appears wanting. Without meaning to boast, I have more books about the Philippines and its history than I could find in FCT. And I don't have millions of dollars in my pocket! (Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved).

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Thursday, 11 December 2025

Leisurely Ride Aboard Finch West Light Rail Transit


Volume 7, Issue No. 29

OPINION/COMMENTARY
/ News That Fears None, Views That Favor Nobody /

. . . . . A community service of The Filipino Web Channel (TheFilipinoWebChannel@gmail. com) and the Philippine Village Voice (PhilVoiceNews@gmail.com) for the information and understanding of Filipinos and the diverse communities in North America . . . . 

Our latest as of Thursday, December 11, 2025 

~ The opportunity was missed to join provincial and city officials in the inaugural run of Toronto's newest transport system - the Line 6 Finch West Light Rail Transit. So on our own, we ventured to see what's the big hullabaloo was all about. On Tuesday, Dec. 9, we took the train from Finch West to Humber and back in under two hours. One's got to enjoy the leisurely pace by which the ride took us to Toronto's northwest region. 

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LINE 6 FINCH WEST - NEW WAY TO RIDE
The Leisurely Midweek Jaunt 
Aboard Light Rail Transit


By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ 
Editor, The Filipino Web Channel


“You can't understand a city without using its public transportation system."  – Erol Ozan 


TORONTO - A good two hours before the forecasted light snowfall and subzero temperatures on Tuesday, December 9, I ventured out of the house fully bundled in four layers of clothing carrying three cameras in my backpack.

I had missed the Dec. 7 grand opening of the city's latest transit route - Line 6 Finch West - the new gateway to Humber College in the northwest, and wondered why this time I didn't get an invitation to cover it. (Related video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd87hZPkhh0).

I like to be there for events such as this for its significance to the bigger community than to Filipinos alone. Besides, where it takes place, progress affects everybody and should be recorded. That would be something to look back to. (Related video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mk1I0UfRRA)

Provincial officials led by Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow officiated the Dec. 7 ceremony and even took a ride aboard a gleaming LRT (light rail transit) from Finch West station.

“The opening of the Finch West LRT is terrific news for commuters, delivering a fast, reliable and affordable way to travel across Toronto’s northwest,” said Ford in a press statement. For her part, Chow stated: “Line 6 Finch West is here and it belongs to the people who will ride it every day.” 

So, having been passed over the news coverage, I decided to see for myself and traveled to Finch West LRT station where Line 6 originates. Not being here before, I thought the station was impressive, smelled new and looked new. 

After a few minutes of waiting, the train, almost empty at past 10 a.m., started to budge. First stop was at Sentinel. Negotiating the next six stops - Tobermory, Driftwood, Jane and Finch, Norfinch Oakdale, Signet Arrow, Emery - felt like the LRT was lumbering off. 

In fact in one stop, at Emery, I believe, the LRT came to a halt for five minutes without explanation. A guy who said he was a city employee remarked that he was so disgusted it felt what was happening was so unbelievable.

We were clueless. I mean the train was moving leisurely, at a pace tourists would surely love, for it gave them unexpected opportunity to take pictures of the areas, except that the view from the train wasn't meant for photo albums.

Maybe I'm so used to subway trains whizzing through different stations loading and unloading passengers in seconds. In downtown Toronto, if speed be a measure, the streetcars and buses would be preferable than the LRT.

First-time LRT rider Gaelle Burce would give more time for the LRT to improve its performance. "The first two weeks is understandable, quite slow, but who knows, in the next few days, we'll feel the right speed for this train," she says.

Metrolinx said the LRT can carry a maximum of 336 passengers. During this trip from Finch West to Humber and back, there's hardly two dozen riders. It may be because it's not rush hour, or due to the weather, or customers are not aware of the LRT yet since it was inaugurated only two days earlier.

Well, whatever it was, I enjoyed the midweek jaunt if only for the fact that I came to know the northwest end of the transit system through this unhurried train ride. By the way, for our French-speaking riders, the LRT experience would be a delight. (Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved).
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