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.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
NO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR 2023, 2024, 2025
What 'Culture' Is FCT
Showcasing in Toronto?
By ROMEO P. MARQUEZ
Editor, The Filipino Web Channel
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).
3. Maestro Romi MananQuil's homage to life. (Story: https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2024/09/maestro-romi-c-mananquils-homage-to-life.html)
4. Valentine's Day feature: Love Takes Flight. (Story: https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2023/02/valentines-day-feature-love-takes-flight.html).
5. Artist Mogi Mogado's profile. (Story: https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2024/01/portrait-of-artist-in-eyes-of-another.html)
6. Cielo Ramos' piano-playing sparking interest in music. (Story: https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2023/11/toronto-pianist-sparks-renewed-interest.html).
7. Feature: Mila Nabor Cuachon and Casa Manila. (Story: https://filwebchannelmagazine.blogspot.com/2022/05/feature-mila-nabor-cuachon-and-casa.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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